Curriculum vitae
Bachelor of
Science
Major in Biology
Deakin University, Melbourne Australia
2005-2010
Bachelor of
Commerce
Major in Business Management
Deakin University, Melbourne Australia
2005-2010
Honours in
Applied Science
Doctor of Philosophy
Plant Pathology and Microbial Ecology
Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment
Western Sydney University 2013-2017
Bachelor Exchange
Fulbright USA Fellowship
Visiting Professor
Professional Experience
Current Role: Research Scientist | CSIRO Health & Biosecurity | Plant Health Molecular Diagnostics | March 2023 - present
Airborne eDNA detection of plant pathogens
Testing qPCR assays
Metagenomics proof of concept from airborne eDNA samples
More projects currently being designed...
CSIRO Health & Biosecurity | Post Doctoral Fellowship | August 2019 - February 2023
Characterisation and identification of native fungal pathogens isolated from weedy Sporobolus grasses (WSG)
Development of a systematic high-throughput approach to prioritising fungal pathogens for testing as biocontrol agents
Multi-locus phylogenetic studies for describing and identifying fungal species
Design and carry out virulence bioassays and glasshouse pathogenicity experiments on target and non-target hosts to ensure the prioritised pathogens are effective and host-specific
Development of a safe and effective mycoherbicide as guided by the APVMA
Coordination and project management with staff from Biosecurity Queensland and DAF
Fieldwork to assess diseased WSG on rural properties and liaise with landholders, farmers, graziers and council workers
Supervise undergraduate students and research assistants
CSIRO Health and Biosecurity | Research Assistant | May 2017 - August 2019
Developmental transcriptomics of weeds for research into the potential of biocontrol using Gene Drive technology.
Collaboration with Biosecurity Queensland to assess the virulence of fungal pathogens on Sporobolus spp.
Multiple genetics projects involving DNA extraction, amplification, sequencing and analysis for identification and phylogenetics of plants and fungi relevant to biocontrol research.
Monitoring of insect biocontrol agent populations and herbivory in quarantine.
Research and writing of nomination documents for submission to the Environment and Invasives Committee to apply for funding of biocontrol research.
Research and writing of applications for import permits of insect biological control agents.
Development of a logistics model for distribution and dispersal of sterile insect technology (SIT) fruit flies to sites in Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania and South Australia
Queensland University of Technology | Project Mentor | January - June 2019
Project mentor, laboratory demonstrator and bioinformatics tutor for BVB305 "Microbiology and the Environment"
TVS Consulting | Biological Consultant - Plant Disease | May - December 2018
Independent contractor acting as liaison between industry bodies and laboratory researchers.
I set up a metagenomics project to analyse microbial communities associated with pasture dieback in central Queensland.
Client: Meat and Livestock Australia. Project details here
University of Queensland | Undergraduate Tutor | February 2014 - November 2018
Laboratory demonstrator at the School of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (SCMB) for second year Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BIOC2000), Cell Structure and Function (BIOL2200) and Genetics (BIOL2202).
I received an award for highest rated BIOC2000 tutor in 2018, as voted by the students and support staff.
Western Sydney University | PhD Candidate | March 2013 - April 2017
PhD thesis was titled "Investigating the cause of dieback in the invasive tree, Parkinsonia aculeata". Enrolled at the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment but based at CSIRO in Brisbane.
My research included traditional mycology, pathogenicity and environmental stress trials, field work and sample collection, molecular biology on endophyte DNA, Next Gen Sequencing and associated data analysis, and ecological analysis of endophyte communities. Project details here.