DrFrancisca Samsing Pedrals

Francisca’s research focuses on the dynamics of disease transmission, novel diagnostic technologies, and multi-omic approaches to aquatic animal health and immunology. She uses holistic, systems-based approaches that integrate disease modelling, computational biology, and bioinformatics with molecular biology and microbiology to understand the mechanisms underpinning disease emergence, transmission, and persistence in aquatic systems.

At the University of Sydney, she leads an interdisciplinary research program addressing bacterial and viral diseases in key aquaculture species, including salmon, barramundi, and oysters. Her work spans pathogen discovery through to disease prevention and management, with a strong emphasis on translational outcomes for industry. Her research encompasses:

• Pathogen identification and characterisation: Applying cutting-edge multi-omic approaches and in vivo infection models to accurately identify and characterise pathogens affecting aquaculture species.
• Host–pathogen interactions and immunology: Investigating immune responses and host–pathogen dynamics that drive disease progression, resistance, and resilience, including immune priming strategies in oysters to enhance protection against infectious disease.
• Molecular diagnostics and surveillance: Developing and refining molecular diagnostic tools to support early detection, outbreak investigation, and health status assessment in aquaculture systems.
• Microbiome and environmental interactions: Conducting integrative microbiome studies to evaluate how environmental stressors shape microbial communities and influence opportunistic infections.

Francisca’s research aligns with the Faculty of Science research strengths in Healthy Animals and Food Security.