Biography
Dr Helen Murphy is an ecologist who joined CSIRO in May 2005 as a Weeds Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) Postdoctoral Fellow after completing her doctoral research in Canada. She currently leads the Environmental Management Group in the Living Landscapes Program.
Helen's current research spans original empirical research, scientific synthesis and science leadership centred on the understanding and management of threats to Australian ecosystems and biodiversity. She collaborates and publishes widely across domains spanning natural resource management, biosecurity and health, sustainable development and climate change. She maintains a strong interest in tropical forest dynamics and in understanding the drivers of change in structure and function of these ecosystems.
Helen leads science underpinning ecological threat management, understanding threats to Australian biodiversity and the effectiveness of management interventions. Helen was one of 18 independent experts invited to author the 2016 Australian State of the Environment report and is Lead Author on the Biodiversity Theme for the 2021 report.
Professional Areas
- Ecological impacts of extreme climate events
- Sustainable biomass production for biofuels
- Long-term ecological monitoring
- Response of invasive species to climate change and cyclone disturbance
- Rates and trajectories of climate change and ecological responses
- Understanding drivers of the distribution and abundance of species
Fields of Research
Academic Qualifications
-
1996
Bachelor of Applied Science (Hons Class 1)
James Cook University -
2001
Master of Legal Studies (Environmental Law)
Australian National University -
2005
PhD (Biology)
University of Windsor, Canada
Professional Experiences
-
1996-1997
Research Assistant
Australian National University -
1997-2000
Environmental Scientist
Sinclair Knight Merz, Australia -
2001-2005
Tutor, Lab Instructor
University of Windsor, Canada -
2005-2007
Post-Doctoral Fellow
CSIRO, Atherton -
2007-Current
Research Scientist
CSIRO, Atherton