top of page

DR ADAM FREW

Ecologist

ABOUT

I'm an ecologist interested in understanding the interactions between soil microbiota, plants and herbivores. In particular, a major theme of my research is understanding the ecology of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, and how they affect plant outcomes.

IMG_3556.JPG
markus-spiske-71uUjIt3cIs-unsplash.jpg

RESEARCH

growth_chamber_3.jpg

Impacts of elevated CO₂ on mycorrhizal fungal communities

Global atmospheric CO₂ concentrations are predicted to continue to increase. This research investigates the impacts on mycorrhizal fungal communities, on the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis and the consequences for plant growth and nutrient uptake.

MEDIA

Interview with Ruth on East Side FMEast Side FM
00:00 / 13:33
Screen Shot 2020-03-27 at 10.25.12 am.pn
Screen Shot 2019-09-26 at 2.28.05 pm.png

Mycorrhizal-mediated plant-herbivore interactions

In addition to impacting the nutrient status of their host plant(s), AM fungi can impact plant physiology and defence chemistry.  The outcome of the AM symbiosis for plants and insect herbivores is highly variable and context dependent, while the mechanisms underpinning these responses are not clear. The main focus of this research is to understand these interactions, the variability across different environments, and the mediating mechanisms.

171_hyphae_vesicles_arbuscules.jpg

Impacts of silicon on plant defences against insect herbivores

How different plant traits determine plant-herbivore interactions has been a focus for researchers for many years. This research investigates how soil silicon availability impacts plant nutrient uptake, secondary metabolites and the effects on insect herbivores.

EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATION

[2022 - present] ARC DECRA Fellow, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, NSW

[2019 - 2022Lecturer (Environment and Sustainability), University of Southern Queensland, QLD

[2017 - 2019] Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Charles Sturt University, NSW

[2012- 2017] PhD Ecology, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, NSW

[2006-2011] BSc (Hons) Behavioural Biology, University of St Andrews, Scotland

usq-logo-png-transparent.png
CSU_new_logo.png
standard-vertical-black.png
IMG_9999.jpg

OTHER ROLES

2021 Queensland Young Tall Poppy Science Awardee

download_edited.jpg

Associate Editor for Functional Ecology

Presentation1-1.jpg

Subject Editor for 

Soil Biology & Biochemistry

X00380717.jpg

Editorial board member for Pedobiologia (Journal of Soil Ecology)

00314056.jpg

Plant-Soil Ecology research chapter of Ecological Society of Australia

download.png

CONTACT ME

Building M14, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Richmond NSW

10wmt-superJumbo-v4.jpg
bottom of page