About
I am a National Geographic Explorer and Senior Research Scientist and Lecturer currently working at James Cook University in Townsville Australia.
My research is broadly focused on the coral reefs of the future: reefs with significant coastal impact, high human use, low coral cover, and in many cases, abundant macroalgae. My most recent work has investigated approaches to rehabilitate nearshore reefs, particularly macroalgae-dominated reefs, using a mix of low-tech (sea-weeding) and high-tech (coral seeding) methods, including examining the genetic consequences of coral spawning-based restoration.
I have a strong interest in scaling coral restoration techniques through grassroots action via citizen science, ecotourism, and community group-led implementation.
Through development of waste-value pathways for nuisance macroalgae biomass, I am involved in adapting restoration methods to suit turbid, algal-dominated reefs in remote and developing areas in the Western Indian Ocean, the Indo-Pacific, South Pacific, and the Caribbean.
I have a growing interest in macroalgae (seaweed) taxonomy, population genetics, and carbon-negative biomaterials, particularly low-tech applications for sequestering carbon through algal biomass.
My work uses a range of techniques including molecular biology and genomics, microbial ecology, physiology, macro-ecology, field- and lab-based experiments to understand the relationships between species.
Prior to my science career, I completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts and worked for years in the arts. In addition to my scientific pursuits, I have a passion for creating conceptual scientific illustrations to bridge the gap between science and art, and to communicate complex scientific ideas with beautifully rendered images.