Compost application and the disperal of azole-resistant Aspergillus

Description

Dr Paul George is recruiting an MSc student to study the prevalence of azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus in municipal composts and its disperal during agricultural application. Municipal composting is increasingly popular across Québec. Compost diverts organic wastes from landfills, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and can be used as a soil amendment to improve crop production. Compost microbial communities are highly complex and ofted vary due to the nature of source material, treatment practices, and local climates.

A. fumigatus is a cosmopolitan mould that is often found in composts. It is also an opportunistic pathogen that can cause fatal infections in immune compromised people. A. fumigatus infections resistant to azole medicines are becoming more prevalent due to the overuse of azole fungicides, which selects for resistant strains in the environment. Composts may be important reservoirs of antifungal resistance due to the accumulation of plant material treated with azole fungicides. Even though these compounds are less common in Canada, resistant A. fumigatus may be present on imported ornamental plants that end up in composts. Compost application involves mechanical spreading, which creates bioaerosols. The long distance transport of azole-resistant A. fumigatus in these bioaeosols could represent an as yet unquantified health risk to at-risk people in rural populations.

The student will be responsible for isolating azole-resistant A. fumigatus from composts originating from different facilities across Québec. They will use DNA sequencing and molecular approaches to study and characterise cyp51 genotypes. They will then assess the dispersal of resistant A. fumigatus isolates during compost application under control conditions. The student is expected to:

1. Have a strong understanding of proper laboratory practices for microbiology and molecular biology
2. Have an interest in phylogenetics or evolutionary genomics
3. Be ready to engage in sample collection, as well as field and laboratory analyses

Previous experience in soil ecology or environmental microbiology is appreciated but not necesary.

The student will study in the ÆRO lab led by Dr George at the IUCPQ-UL. They will join a team of microbial ecologists focused on understanding how human activities impact microbial communities and promote antimicrobial resistance in diverse environments. There is potential to continue this project into a PhD if the supervisory team are satisfied with progress.

Requirements and Conditions

1, Have a strong understanding of proper laboratory practices for microbiology and molecular biology
2. Have an interest in phylogenetics or evolutionary genomics.
3. Be willing to participate in sample collection, as well as field and laboratory analyses.

Application Deadline

December 11, 2025