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Dr Kenya Fernandes is an ARC DECRA Fellow in the Faculty of Science at the University of Sydney, where she conducts research in the School of Life and Environmental Sciences. Her work centres on fungal biology and the complex interactions between fungi, hosts, and environments, with a particular emphasis on bee-microbe relationships and their effects on pollinator health, ecosystem resilience, and food security. Fernandes investigates the antimicrobial and medicinal properties of honey, including that produced by Australian native stingless bees, and explores natural compounds for drug discovery aimed at combating fungal infections. She is a member of the Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases and the Sydney Institute of Agriculture.
Fernandes holds the position of ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award Fellow and was named a Superstar of STEM for 2025-2026. She supervises PhD and honours students on projects in microbiology and related fields. Her research outputs include peer-reviewed publications on topics such as the antimicrobial potency of Australian honey and microbial allies in bee nests. Fernandes engages in public outreach to promote appreciation for pollinators, native species, and microbial communities.
A University of Sydney study reveals Australian wildflower honey from diverse native plants packs powerful antibacterial punch against superbugs like E. coli and golden staph, even at low dilutions. Explore implications for AMR, beekeeping, and research careers.
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