Biography
Heidi is a botanist and ecologist with a research focus on threatened plants, in particular orchids. Her current research interests include: evidence-based taxonomy for improved conservation outcomes in the Orchidaceae; assessment of extinction risk for threatened species; and Wollemi pine ecology and conservation management.
Heidi began her career in botany/ecology using dendrochronology (tree rings) to investigate the stand dynamics of tropical pine forests in northern Thailand. She continued her forest ecology research with a Master’s project in the high-elevation forests of Papua New Guinea. Heidi then worked for the Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research (Melbourne) on the ecology and management of Victorian Volcanic Plains Grassland, and on ecosystem recovery following the Black Saturday bushfires. She returned to university to complete her doctoral research at the University of Melbourne on the Wollemi pine, one of Australia's most iconic threatened species.
After her PhD, Heidi worked at the Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences in Hanoi (Vietnam) and then with the NSW Government’s Science Division on threatened species extinction risk assessment. Heidi now works at the Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research in the orchid research program.
Academic Qualifications
-
2016
PhD
University of Melbourne -
2010
Master of Forest Ecosystem Science
University of Melbourne -
2006
Bachelor of Environmental Science
Monash University
Achievements and Awards
-
2020-2020
Minister's Award (NSW Minister for Energy and Environment)
Wollemi Pine Protection Operation, NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment -
2020-2020
Premier's Award (Finalist)
Wollemi Pine Protection Operation, NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment
Current Roles
-
Research Scientist (Botany)
Orchid Research Program
Professional Experiences
-
2021-Ongoing
Regional Coordinator (Australasia)
IUCN Orchid Red List Authority -
2017-2022
Editor
Australasian Plant Conservation
ORCID 0000-0002-8496-7360