STAFF PROFILE
Associate Professor Danilla Grando
Dr Danilla Grando has wide contact with students including those studying Chinese Medicine, Osteopathy, Chiropractic and students in science programs such as Biotechnology and Biomedicine.
She sees her role as a mentor to students, particularly to encourage students to explore a wide range of experiences whilst studying in order to help them secure future employment. Dr Grando specialises in creating online learning environments and designing learning exercises that help students understand the myriad of interactions that humans have with microbes and how our knowledge helps maintain a balanced human ecosystem. She spent the first half of her working life as a diagnostic scientist so aims to help students become industry ready.
One of the key challenges is that science is poorly funded. Students hear that it can be difficult to get jobs in science and that it can be difficult to get a well-paid job. Dr Grando has had a wonderful, fulfilling career in science and it has been well paid. If you love what you do then it drives you to perform well. The magic of science is that it's ever changing and discovery is the fuel that burns your lifelong commitment.
RMIT focuses on training graduates for industry. Based on her studies at RMIT, Dr Grando was employed as a trainee scientist before she had even qualified. She undertook her post-graduate studies in order to more deeply understand science and to determine whether she was a suitable candidate for a PhD. Dr Grando completed her PhD at RMIT and can relate well to the struggles that students face. This has strengthened her resolve to continue as a member of the vibrant science community and to encourage others to join in an appreciation of science.
Dr Grando is passionate about online teaching and has created an innovative online course called Outbreak, to help students understand the impact infectious diseases has on the world and the Australian community. Her long-term goal is to help everyone in the community understand their role in preventing the spread of infectious diseases.
Research interests
Diagnostic microbiology
Current research projects
Community control of respiratory infections in collaboration with Monash University
RMIT University is working collaboratively with researchers at the Department of General Practice, Monash University to investigate the public’s perception of prevention of respiratory infections. We are hoping to develop intervention strategies that will reduce the number of respiratory tract infections in the community.
Controlling the spread of multi-drug resistant bacteria
We are piloting studies into helping to reduce the number of multi-drug resistant bacteria that persons may carry as part of their human ecosystem.
Recent awards
- 2012 NOVA Award for Undergraduate Teaching, Open University Australia
- 2012 Australian Society for Microbiology Distinguished Teaching Award
- 2011 Top 20 courses for class size 40-79 in Science Engineering and Health for ONPS2294 Clinical Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics
- 2010 Top 50 courses in Science Engineering and Health for ONPS2294 Clinical Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics
- 2008 Australian Learning and Teaching Council Citation Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning
- 2009 Top 50 Course (ONPS2294), College of Science, Engineering and Health.
- 2008 Australian Learning and Teaching Council Citation Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning
- 2008 RMIT Science, Engineering and Technology College Student Choice Teaching Award
- 2007 and 2008 Learning and Teaching Infrastructure Grants for developing Digital Wet Laboratories
Membership of societies and professional associations
- Member Australian Society for Microbiology (ASM)
- (Scientific Program Coordinator for National Meeting, 2008)
- Convenor Education Special Interest Group ASM
- Member International Society of Infectious Diseases
- Member of Editorial Board, Journal Microbiological Methods
- Reviewer Microbiology Australia
- Program Leader for the double degree BP293 Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology)/Bachelor of Biomedical Science.
- Lecturer in Clinical Microbiology for the School of Applied Sciences (Discipline Biotechnology and Environmental Biology)
- B.Appl.Sci (Medical Technology), RMIT University, 1983
- Member Australian Society Microbiology,
- M. App. Sci. (Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology), RMIT University, 1998
- Ph.D. RMIT University, 2005
- Editorial Board Journal Microbiological Methods
- Nguyenthi, D.,Thrimawithana, T.,Piva, T.,Grando, D.,Huynh, T. (2023). Benefits of plant carotenoids against age-related macular degeneration In: Journal of Functional Foods, 106, 1 - 14
- Grando, D. (2023). What chunking of microbiology learning materials looks like today using technology and learning objects In: Microbiology Australia, 44, 127 - 130
- Hainsworth, S.,Lawrie, A.,Vanniasinkam, T.,Grando, D. (2022). Metagenomics of toenail onychomycosis in three Victorian regions of Australia In: Journal of Fungi, 8, 1 - 13
- Hainsworth, S.,Hubka, V.,Lawrie, A.,Carter, D.,Vanniasinkam, T.,Grando, D. (2020). Predominance of Trichophyton interdigitale Revealed in Podiatric Nail Dust Collections in Eastern Australia In: Mycopathologia, 185, 175 - 185
- Said, M.,Watson, C.,Grando, D. (2020). Garlic alters the expression of putative virulence factor genes SIR2 and ECE1 in vulvovaginal C. albicans isolates In: Scientific Reports, 10, 1 - 9
- Biezen, R.,Grando, D.,Mazza, D.,Brijnath, B. (2019). Visibility and transmission: Complexities around promoting hand hygiene in young children - A qualitative study In: BMC Public Health, 19, 1 - 8
- Biezen, R.,Grando, D.,Mazza, D.,Brijnath, B. (2019). Dissonant views - GPs' and parents' perspectives on antibiotic prescribing for young children with respiratory tract infections In: BMC Family Practice, 20, 1 - 9
- Kalantar Zadeh, K.,Berean, K.,Ha, N.,Chrimes, A.,Xu, K.,Grando, D.,Ou, J.,Pillai, N.,Campbell, J.,Brkljaca, R.,Taylor, K.,Burgell, R.,Yao, C.,Ward, S.,McSweeney, C.,Muir, J.,Gibson, P. (2018). A human pilot trial of ingestible electronic capsules capable of sensing different gases in the gut In: Nature Electronics, 1, 79 - 87
- Berean, K.,Ha, N.,Ou, J.,Chrimes, A.,Grando, D.,Yao, C.,Muir, J.,Ward, S.,Burgell, R.,Gibson, P.,Kalantar Zadeh, K. (2018). The safety and sensitivity of a telemetric capsule to monitor gastrointestinal hydrogen production in vivo in healthy subjects: a pilot trial comparison to concurrent breath analysis In: Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 48, 646 - 654
- Biezen, R.,Grando, D.,Mazza, D.,Brijnath, B. (2018). Why do we not want to recommend influenza vaccination to young children? A qualitative study of Australian parents and primary care providers In: Vaccine, 36, 859 - 865
- Developing graduate employability through partnerships with industry and professional associations. Funded by: Office for Learning and Teaching Grant Pre-2014 from (2013 to 2015)
- Garlic and Candida, a Pilot Study'; and 'Garlic and Candida, an Exploratory Study'. Funded by: Shepherd Foundation Research Grant pre-2014 from (2010 to 2011)
- Improved detection of Colstridium difficile and a new method to track highly lethal hospital-aquired infections due to Colstridium difficile. Funded by: LEW Carty Charitable Fund Project Grant pre-2014 from (2009 to 2011)
4 PhD Completions and 1 Masters by Research Completions