Biography
I work at the intersection of many disciplines, combining expertise and interest in analytical chemistry, ecotoxicology, biogeochemistry and taxonomy to better understand processes and ecological functions of our aquatic environments.
My main areas of research include:
• development and application of novel methods for assessment of sediment and water quality in pristine and impacted environments
• development and application of ecotoxicology methods to quantify the impact of stressors and contaminants on benthic and pelagic taxa
• assessment of recovery processes for contaminated marine sites
• development of biological time-series utilising species-level phytoplankton data
• development of tools and products for para-taxonomists involved in routine plankton programs
• application of machine-learning and automated imagining techniques to stream-lining acquisition of species-level plankton data
• management of harmful algal blooms for marine and freshwater industries including drinking water supply, wild fisheries and aquaculture.
Post my PhD at the University of Tasmania, I established Tasmania's first NATA accredited algal testing facility, and helped develop monitoring and detection programs for the salmonid and shellfish industries, focusing on HAB species. I've spent time working with State government managing ambient, recreational and sediment quality monitoring programs, as well as reporting for a broad range of stake holders. I returned to UTas in 2007, and spent 8 years working on the impacts of salmonid aquaculture on water and sediment quality, sediment recovery methodologies contaminated sites, as well as broadscale monitoring programs focusing on phytoplankton community structure and drivers, prior to aquaculture expansion.
I joined CSIRO in 2014, and my current role in CSIRO is as a Phytoplankton Biologist, working on the IMOS National Reference Stations (NRS), the Australian Continuous Plankton Recorder (AusCPR), and the Southern Ocean Time Series (SOTS) as well as a number of other projects. I maintain active links with colleagues at Utas, and the Australian Antarctic Division, and have recently completed a number of Antarctic voyages, focusing on lower trophic level interactions, biodiversity and biogeography.
I currently hold an adjunct position with the Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies, and actively supervise post-graduate and undergraduate students.
Achievements and Awards
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2023-2024
JSPS BRIDGE Fellowship
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science -
2023-2025
Science and Technology Council
Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) -
2016- 2016
Fellowship, Japan-Australia Bilateral Exchange Program
Australian Academy of Science -
2014-2014
Career Development Scholarship
University of Tasmania -
2014-2014
International Travel Bursary
Fisheries Research Development Corporation
Professional Areas
Academic Qualifications
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1989
Bachelor of Applied Science
Deakin University -
1990
Honours Applied Science
Deakin University -
2000
PhD
University of Tasmania
Other highlights
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2022-2022
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO Identification Qualification in Harmful Marine Microalgae
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2020-2021
Editor of "Advances in Phytoplankton Ecology", Elsevier
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2017-2017
"KARE 20" 20th Kaiyodai Antarctic Research Expedition with the Japanese Antarctic Research program