With a strong focus on collaboration and innovation, the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Research Group at IOA and the UWA School of Agriculture and Environment is driving solutions to minimise resistance risks and enhance sustainable farming practices.

Antimicrobials are drugs widely used to treat infections in humans, animals and plants. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when microbes such as bacteria, viruses and fungi evolve to develop resistance to the drugs. Besides the human health impact, AMR is a serious global threat to food safety, food security, agricultural productivity, and water quality.

Led by Associate Professor Zakaria Solaiman, the research group is dedicated to investigating the origins, spread, and mitigation strategies of antimicrobial resistance in diverse farming systems. The multidisciplinary team comprises a postdoctoral researcher and four PhD students, each exploring different yet interconnected aspects of AMR.

UWA is a partner of the Cooperative Research in Australia (CRC) for Solving Antimicrobial Resistance in Agribusiness, Food and Environments (SAAFE). The CRC uses a One Health approach recognising the interconnection between people, animals, plants and their shared environments. Collaborations with CRC SAAFE, industrial entities, and academic researchers enhance the practical implications of the group's findings, ensuring the research translates effectively into real-world applications. The overarching aim is to inform better antibiotic stewardship practices and identify sustainable agricultural strategies for mitigating AMR.

Associate Professor Zakaria Solaiman spearheads a major project under the SAAFE Foundation, focusing on sustainable agricultural practices to tackle AMR. His research aims to enhance soil health and productivity through microbial inoculations, biochar, compost amendments, and Troforté regenerative farming. He provides strategic direction for AMR research and promotes collaboration with the UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, as well as other relevant schools.

The four PhD students are tackling diverse aspects of AMR, spanning molecular microbial ecology, environmental AMR, the One Health approach, and data science and bioinformatics. Each candidate brings a unique perspective to AMR research. Mostarak Munshi who received a top-up scholarship from the CRC is comparing AMR prevalence in conventional and biological farming systems, focusing on resistance genes in regenerative agriculture. Gokhan Karadeli is evaluating manure management practices in horticulture, particularly composting techniques to reduce AMR. Kamrun Sheuly is investigating AMR in bulb and tuber crops, exploring biochar and compost as sustainable soil health solutions. Wafa Alsaidi is examining how manure-derived composting affects microbial diversity and AMR prevalence in vegetable production.

Dr Sajeevee Sarathchandra, an early career researcher, is pioneering the development of microbial consortia to reduce AMR across different farming systems.  

Discussions are underway with other disciplines at UWA such as Engineering, Medicine, Agricultural Economics and Animal Science to contribute to the holistic approach to tackling a global problem.