About

Dr Kate Hutson's research examines aquatic animal parasitology issues that threaten wild, farmed and ornamental fishes. Her research integrates parasite species discovery and biology (taxonomy, life cycles, ecology and behaviour) with practical, applied research (risk-assessment, disease diagnosis, management and treatment) designed to deliver tangible outcomes for fisheries, aquaculture industry and biosecurity management. This combination of pure and applied research has led to the development of unique and strong partnerships between industry, government agencies and other tertiary institutions.   

Kate graduated with a Bachelor of Science with First Class Honours from the University of Melbourne and a PhD in Marine Parasitology from the University of Adelaide. She led the Marine Parasitology Laboratory at James Cook University from 2010 to 2019 and completed several Honours, Masters and PhD students as primary advisor. Kate coordinated the undergraduate Aquaculture and Technology Major and in 2015 won a National Teaching Award for her contribution to undergraduate and postgraduate classes in aquaculture.

In 2019 Kate moved to the Cawthron Institute, in Nelson, New Zealand where she works as a Senior Scientist in Aquatic Health. Kate has maintained a close working relationship with JCU as Adjunct Associate Professor and currently supervises two PhD students (based in Townsville) and one MSc Phil student (based at Cawthron). 

 

Experience
  • 2019 to present - Senior Scientist, Cawthron Institute (Nelson, New Zealand)
  • 2019 to present - Adjunct Associate Professor, James Cook University (Townsville, Queensland)
  • 2013 to 2019 - Senior Lecturer, James Cook University (Townsville, Queensland)
  • 2010 to 2012 - Lecturer, James Cook University (Townsville, Queensland)
  • 2007 to 2009 - Postdoctoral Fellow, The University of Adelaide (Adelaide, South Australia)
  • 2002 to 2003 - Research Assistant, University of Technology Sydney (Gore Hill, New South Wales)
Research Disciplines
Socio-Economic Objectives
Honours
Awards
  • 2016 - People's choice award: Reperio - Innovation and Commercialisation Pitch
  • 2015 - Young Tall Poppy Science Award, Australian Institute of Policy & Science and the Tall Poppy Campaign
  • 2015 - National Teaching Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning
  • 2015 - James Cook University Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning
  • 2013 - My Research in 3 minutes, People’s Choice Award, James Cook University
  • 2013 - My Research in 3 minutes, Early Career Researcher Award, James Cook University
  • 2013 - High Commendation, Early Career Researcher Supervisor of the Year, James Cook University
  • 2009 - Early Career Researcher Award for the most meritorious scientific paper at the Australian Society for Parasitology and ARC/NHMRC Research Network for Parasitology Annual Conference, The University of Sydney, New South Wales
Publications

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles
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ResearchOnline@JCU stores 60+ research outputs authored by Dr Kate Hutson from 2005 onwards.

Current Funding

Current and recent Research Funding to JCU is shown by funding source and project.

Ecological Society of Australia - Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment

Use of DNA metabarcoding analysis to investigate parasite consumption of cleaner fish and shrimp

Indicative Funding
$5,795 over 2 years
Summary
Determining what animals eat is a key component of understanding their ecology. When the organisms play a symbiotic cleaning role, gut contents can elucidate important community dynamics. This innovative study will be the first comprehensive research of the diet of small reef organisms that have very important role in a reef ecosystem. Using recently developed DNA metabarcoding analysis, this study focuses on two commensal cleaners important for reef dynamics: the bluestreak cleaner wrasse, Labroides dimidiatus, and the cleaner shrimp, Urocaridella antonbruunii.
Investigators
Pauline Narvaez, Mark McCormick and Kate Hutson (College of Science & Engineering)
Keywords
Cleaner fish; Diet; DNA metabarcoding; Cleaner shrimp; Stomach content; Parasites
Supervision

Advisory Accreditation: I can be on your Advisory Panel as a Primary or Secondary Advisor.

These Higher Degree Research projects are either current or by students who have completed their studies within the past 5 years at JCU. Linked titles show theses available within ResearchOnline@JCU.

Current
  • Investigation of fish pathogens associated with New Zealand farmed Oncorhynchus tshawytscha skin disease (PhD , Primary Advisor)
Completed
Data

These are the most recent metadata records associated with this researcher. To see a detailed description of all dataset records, visit Research Data Australia.

Collaboration

The map shows research collaborations by institution from the past 7 years.
Note: Map points are indicative of the countries or states that institutions are associated with.

  • 5+ collaborations
  • 4 collaborations
  • 3 collaborations
  • 2 collaborations
  • 1 collaboration
  • Indicates the Tropics (Torrid Zone)

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