Dr Jowenna Xiao Feng Sim

Research Fellow

School of Agriculture, Food and Wine

College of Science

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD as Co-Supervisor only - email supervisor to discuss availability.

Available For Media Comment.


I am an early career researcher in the field of agricultural sciences, specializing in the effects of pesticides on soil microbial functions and soil health. My work encompasses studying the interactions between pesticides and soil microbes, exploring their implications for soil health and ecosystem functioning. My dedication extends beyond academia, as I strive to translate my research into practical applications that benefit farmers, policy makers, and the agricultural industry.

I am a Research Scientist in the School of Agriculture, Food and Wine at Adelaide University. My work sits at the intersection of environmental microbiology, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and agroecosystem health, with a focus on how agricultural practices and chemical inputs shape soil microbial communities and their functions.

My research spans pesticide–soil microbiome interactions across diverse cropping soils, resistome and functional gene profiling using molecular and sequencing-based approaches, and One Health–aligned questions relevant to environmental and food-system health. I am also involved in developing practical workflows for fungicide resistance detection, including rapid screening approaches that combine established molecular methods with emerging sensor technologies.

Alongside research, I contribute to teaching and postgraduate supervision, supporting students in microbiology, soil ecology, and nutrient cycling through applied, skills-focused learning.

Year Citation
2026 Sim, J. X. F., Doolette, C. L., Drigo, B., Vasileiadis, S., Lau, M., Karpouzas, D. G., & Lombi, E. (2026). Soil properties mediate the responses of soil microbiota to fungicides and herbicides. Applied Soil Ecology, 224, 12 pages.
DOI
2026 Wyrsch, E. R., Drigo, B., Li, D., Cummins, M. L., Hem, S., Sim, J. X. F., . . . Djordjevic, S. P. (2026). Genomic analysis of environmentally sourced Stenotrophomonas species from Fiji and Australia. Microbial Genomics, 12(6), 14 pages.
DOI
2026 Sim, J. X. F., Hayward, C., Drew, M., Lopez-Ruiz, F. J., Singh, S. P., Ashbolt, N. J., & Drigo, B. (2026). From hazard occurrence to risk assessment: Antimicrobial resistance and chemical co-selection in ready-to-eat vegetables: A scoping review. Trends in Food Science and Technology, 178, 13 pages.
DOI
2023 Sim, J. X. F., Drigo, B., Doolette, C. L., Vasileiadis, S., Donner, E., Karpouzas, D. G., & Lombi, E. (2023). Repeated applications of fipronil, propyzamide and flutriafol affect soil microbial functions and community composition: a laboratory-to-field assessment. Chemosphere, 331(138850), 1-13.
DOI Scopus20 WoS18 Europe PMC11
2022 Sim, J. X. F., Doolette, C. L., Vasileiadis, S., Drigo, B., Wyrsch, E. R., Djordjevic, S. P., . . . Lombi, E. (2022). Pesticide effects on nitrogen cycle related microbial functions and community composition. Science of the Total Environment, 807(Pt 1), 1-12.
DOI Scopus89 WoS81 Europe PMC53
2022 Sim, J. X. F., Drigo, B., Doolette, C. L., Vasileiadis, S., Karpouzas, D. G., & Lombi, E. (2022). Impact of twenty pesticides on soil carbon microbial functions and community composition. Chemosphere, 307(135820), 1-10.
DOI Scopus83 WoS76 Europe PMC41
2019 Sim, J. X. F., Khazandi, M., Pi, H., Venter, H., Trott, D. J., & Deo, P. (2019). Antimicrobial effects of cinnamon essential oil and cinnamaldehyde combined with EDTA against canine otitis externa pathogens. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 127(1), 99-108.
DOI Scopus40 WoS34 Europe PMC20
2019 Khazandi, M., Pi, H., Chan, W. Y., Ogunniyi, A. D., Sim, J. X. F., Venter, H., . . . Trott, D. J. (2019). In vitro antimicrobial activity of robenidine, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and polymyxin B nonapeptide against important human and veterinary pathogens. Frontiers in Microbiology, 10(837), 837-1-837-15.
DOI Scopus24 WoS22 Europe PMC21
2019 Sim, J. X. F., Khazandi, M., Chan, W. Y., Trott, D. J., & Deo, P. (2019). Antimicrobial activity of thyme oil, oregano oil, thymol and carvacrol against sensitive and resistant microbial isolates from dogs with otitis externa.. Veterinary dermatology, online(6), 524-e159.
DOI Scopus73 WoS68 Europe PMC47

Year Citation
2022 Sim, J., Drigo, B., Doolette, C., Vasileiadis, S., Karpouzas, D., & Lombi, E. (2022). Impact of Twenty Pesticides on Soil Carbon Microbial Functions and Community Composition.
DOI
  • Field-Based Diagnostic Kickstart: Exploration of potential use cases for a Rapid Electrochemical Diagnostic Tool for Detecting Triazole Resistance, CRC SAAFE Limited, 01/11/2025 - 01/11/2026
  • Enhancing the management of antimicrobial resistance (EMAR) in Fiji, ACIAR, 01/01/2020 - 30/06/2027

Courses I teach

  • EART 3012 Soil Ecology and Nutrient Cycling III (2026)
  • EART 1011 Soils in the Australian Landscape (2025)
  • ENVT 2015 Microbial Ecology (2025)

Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
2026 Co-Supervisor Enhancing the management of antimicrobial resistance in the Pacific Islands Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Kainat Gul

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