Contact details +6469517171

Dr Maxence Plouviez MAg, PhD

Research Officer

Doctoral Supervisor
School of Agriculture and Environment

Research Officer

Contract Research Unit

Professional

Qualifications

  • Master degree in Agronomy - Montpellier Supagro (2013)
  • Doctor of Philiosophy - Massey University (2017)

Certifications and Registrations

  • Licence, Supervisor, Massey University

Research Projects

Current Projects

Project Title: Understanding the mechanisms of microalgal self-aggregation for economic and sustainable harvesting

While microalgae provide important functions for food production and wastewater treatment, the expansion of microalgae biotechnologies is currently limited by our ability to harvest these microorganisms economically and sustainably. Harvesting microalgae is indeed especially challenging due to the specific physico-chemical characteristics of these cells and current technologies have a high demand for energy and/or chemicals. We believe that exploiting the natural ability of microalgae to self-aggregate into flocs that can be easily gravity-settled is a potential solution for economic and sustainable harvesting. However, despite observations of self-aggregation in various settings, we have a very limited knowledge as to i) what the biomolecules triggering self-aggregation are and how they are produced; ii) when and how microalgae self-aggregate; and iii) if microalgal self-aggregation can be efficiently triggered on demand. Focusing on predation-response in the model microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, this research seeks to determine, for the first time, the molecular pathways and biomolecules involved in microalgae self-aggregation predation-response. This fundamental research will improve our understanding of microalgal ecology, evolution, and physiology. It will also lay the foundation needed to ultimately develop cost- and resource-efficient harvesting technologies.
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Date Range: 2023 - 2026

Funding Bodies: Marsden Fund - Full; Royal Society of New Zealand

Project Team:

Teaching and Supervision

Current Doctoral Supervision

Co-supervisor of:

  • Emma Muir - Doctor of Philosophy
    Understanding microalgae self-aggregation for economic and sustainable harvesting.

Completed Doctoral Supervision

Co-supervisor of:

  • 2023 - Alexander Cliff - Doctor of Philosophy
    Environmental influences on polyphosphate accumulation in microalgae: an investigation into species differences and transcriptional responses