Researcher biography

I am currently a postdoctoral researcher for the Celine Frere Research Group at The University of Queensland. Our lab collaborates with governments and industry to deliver cost-effective wildlife monitoring services, novel gut microbiome analyses, and important wildlife conservation outcomes. We currently mainly work on koalas but are expanding to other iconic and/or endangered species. Personally, with more than 16 years in field-based roles and 9 years in lab-based roles, my inter-disciplinary research interests have traversed parrot vocalisations to animal cognition, snake venom activity, antivenom efficacy, snake ecology, snake behaviour, and the human-snake conflict. My vision is to use science to promote a better relationship between humans and wildlife. I also have a passion for science communication (e.g. I was ABC's Top Five Scientist in 2021; am 1 of 3 Inspiring Australia's ambassadors for Qld in 2024; had >50 media interviews in 2023 alone) and have devoted 15 years to working with Indigenous groups on Cape York Peninsula to save Australia’s only tool-using parrot, the Palm Cockatoo, whereby Prof. Rob Heinsohn and I successfully raised its conservation status twice.

Since 2022 I have been the the lead Communications Officer for the IUCN's Snake Specialist Group. In 2024 I am the Deputy Chair of the EMCR Committee for the School of the Environment, and since 2022 I have been an active member of CBCS (Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science) (https://cbcs.centre.uq.edu.au/).

[Note: the grants section of this profile exclude 9 grants (totalling $188,400) that I was awarded during my PhD and MPhil stage, as well as externally via a non-profit.]

Areas of research