Personal profile
Research interests
I am a microbial ecologist. My research program focuses on understanding microbial communities, their diversity, and environmental drivers. I employ cutting-edge methodologies, including metagenomic and functional trait analyses, to understand and manipulate microbial systems.
Through this foundational work, I aim to address key challenges in ecosystem restoration and conservation, ensuring the protection of soil biodiversity and promoting sustainable agricultural practices, especially in the context of Australian ecosystems. In particular, my ARC DECRA research program focuses on identifying beneficial microbes that improve drought tolerance in native Australian grass species - which support both ecosystem conservation and agricultural activities in Australia.
In addition to native ecosystem restoration, my research contributes to the development of microbial inoculant formulations for sustainable crop growth and disease resistance.
Related links
Qualifications
Doctor in Biological Science, Tuscia University
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 2 Zero Hunger -
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth -
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production -
SDG 15 Life on Land
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Leaf microbiome assembly is linked to plant phylogeny
Singh, P. K., Martins, C. S. C., Jayaramaiah, R. H., Egidi, E., Macdonald, C., Wang, J., Xiong, C., Batista, B., Qui, G., Reich, P. B., Delgado-Baquerizo, M. & Singh, B. K., 2026, (E-pub ahead of print (In Press)) In: Plant and Soil. 16 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Plant functional groups shape microbial colonization and decomposition dynamics in grassland soils
Jayaramaiah, R. H., Martins, C. S. C., Egidi, E., Macdonald, C. A., Wang, J. T., Eisenhauer, N., Reich, P. B., Delgado-Baquerizo, M. & Singh, B. K., Mar 2026, In: Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 214, 14 p., 110067.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Citation (Scopus)5 Downloads (Pure) -
Soil fungal communities differ among forest types but show limited response to cessation of ecosystem engineering by the superb Lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae)
Maisey, A. C., Semenec, L., Egidi, E., Haslem, A. & Bennett, A. F., Jun 2026, In: Fungal Ecology. 81, 11 p., 101498.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Downloads (Pure) -
Uncovering the functional roles of soil fauna in nitrogen cycling and agricultural sustainability
Jayaramaiah, R. H., Ghaderi, R., Nguyen, T. B. A., Hayden, H. L., He, Z. Y., Na, S., Pengani, K., Apuri, L., Ahenda, S., Hu, H. W., Xu, W., Egidi, E., Hoyle, F. C., Murphy, D. V. & He, J. Z., Apr 2026, In: Geoderma. 468, 16 p., 117777.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
AusAMF: the database of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities in Australia
Frew, A., Powell, J. R., Heuck, M. K., Albornoz, F. E., Birnbaum, C., Dearnaley, J. D. W., Egidi, E., Finn, L., Kath, J., Koorem, K., Oja, J., Öpik, M., Vahter, T., Vasar, M., Watts-Williams, S., Zheng, Y. & Aguilar-Trigueros, C. A., Jul 2025, In: Global Ecology and Biogeography. 34, 7, 11 p., e70090.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Citation (Scopus)10 Downloads (Pure)
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Seeding diverse native ground cover on farms for drought and climate resilience
Rymer, P. (PI), Nielsen, U. (Investigator), Power, S. (Investigator), Egidi, E. (Investigator) & Perry, N. (Investigator)
Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
2/06/25 → 30/06/30
Project: Research
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ARC Training Centre for Smart and Sustainable Horticulture
Ghannoum, O. (PI), Singh, B. (Investigator), Smith, B. (Investigator), Sharwood, R. (Investigator), Tjoelker, M. (Investigator), Riegler, M. (Investigator), Tissue, D. (Investigator), Metternicht, G. (Investigator), Guo, Y. (Investigator), Nakandala, D. (Investigator) & Egidi, E. (Investigator)
Vertical Patch, Australian National University (ACRG), University of Western Australia, Valucky Australia Pty Ltd
1/07/24 → 29/06/30
Project: Research
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Can eco-evolutionary theories explain outcomes of microbiome coalescence
Singh, B. (PI) & Egidi, E. (Investigator)
Spanish National Research Council, Australian Research Council, Western Sydney University, University of Minnesota
1/01/23 → 30/09/26
Project: Research
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Novel bio-based and agronomic solutions for effective management of key root pathogens - increasing farm profitability
Singh, B. (PI), Wang, J. (Investigator), Egidi, E. (Investigator), Macdonald, C. (Investigator) & Galhena, W. N. G. (Scholarship Recipient)
Future Food Systems Limited CRC
1/08/22 → 1/08/26
Project: Research
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Small but bold: harnessing microbes to boost drought tolerance in grasses
Egidi, E. (PI)
1/01/21 → 31/12/25
Project: Research
Datasets
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AusAMF: The database of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities in Australia dataset
Frew, A., Powell, J., Heuck, M. K., Albornoz, F., Birnbaum, C., Dearnaley, J. D. W., Egidi, E., Kath, J., Koorem, K., Oja, J., Opik, M., Vahter, T., Vasar, M., Watts-Williams, S., Zheng, Y. & Aguilar-Trigueros, C., Western Sydney University, 12 Jul 2025
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.28817378.v1, https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.28817378.v1
Dataset
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Aridity structures the microbial potential for carbon cycling and mediates the impact of mammal bioturbation at the continental scale
Egidi, E., Decker, O. & Gibb, H., Western Sydney University, 5 Nov 2024
DOI: 10.26183/gfpv-9p76, https://research-data.westernsydney.edu.au/published/7048c5809b2411efb5da0b2c248a16fb
Dataset