M.S.A. Australian Institute of Marine Science
Education
2021-Present
Southern Cross University
Lismore & Coffs Harbour, Australia
MSc by research in environmental science and management with an emphasis on marine ecology. Recieved an HDR scholarship in 2022 and interning at the Australian Institiute of Marine Science in Townsville, learning coral husbandry and aquaculture. Genotyping and data analysis are between the National Marine Science Centre and Lismore (plant science) campuses.
2015-2016
Clemson University Extension
Clemson, South Carolina, USA
Received a certificate as a Master Naturalist with a focus on strengthening science communication, teaching citizen science skills, and primary - high school naturalist education. Courses covered included fieldwork techniques, science project management, taxonomy and classification and some tracking skills.
2006-2007
Palm Beach State College
West Palm Beach, Florida, USA
Certificate in teaching Montessori pre-primary ages. Invited and succeeded in continuing to lower and upper elementary Montessori education, with a curriculum focus on cosmology and life sciences.
2002-2004
Jacksonville University
Jacksonville, Florida, USA
Double undergraduate degree in communications/journalism and marine biology with focuses on science communications, ichthyology, and marine taxonomy. Completed the final months in Ormskirk, England, with the communications department creating a travel documentary on rural British towns.
1999-2001
Indian River State College
Fort Pierce, Florida, USA
Double associate's degree in communications/journalism and marine biology. Work-study as a biology and microbiology lab assistant. Took part in fieldwork at Newfound Harbor Marine Institute in Big Pine Key, Florida.
M.S.A. Australian Institute of Marine Science
M.S.A. Lizard Island Research Station
Work Experience Highlights
Research Technician
Australian Institute of Marine Science
Worked independently and with a team during work-study internships for coral spawning events funded by the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program at the world-renowned SeaSim facility. Collected and reared a variety of coral larvae species, following rigorous protocols to supply developed larvae to numerous research projects. Created and followed methodologies in coral husbandry, including aquaculture techniques and data collection. Followed up with data analysis via RStudio and report writing.
Research Officer
National Marine Science Centre, SCU
Assisted with the species and overall update of an echinoderm fisheries guidebook funded by the FAO United Nations. Casual research assistant collecting information on new species & characteristics of sea cucumbers. Communicating with global echinoderm scientists on novel studies and research imaging for the publication.
Project Coordinator and Grant Writer
Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital
Coordinated projects for a busy wildlife organisation while also writing grant applications. Within two years, had secured over $200K in grant funding for a start-up, non-profit while monitoring and reporting the grant projects. Projects included a koala enclosure extension, bush rehabilitation, sea turtle rehabilitation enclosures, wildlife veterinary equipment and sustainable overnight stay for wildlife veterinarians. Other jobs included assisting the CEO, ensuring the operational needs were met and creating the volunteer program.
Science and Education Writer
Freelance
Writing high-quality educational content for professionals, blogs, and magazines since 2002. The aim is to translate challenging topics into informative and digestible articles for the general public. Some outlets include the Sierra Club, Earth Island Journal, and Family Education.
Icthyology Laboratory Assistant
Jacksonville University
Assisted in the daily routines of preparing for university-level ichthyology and marine biology lab courses. Classified, catalogued and prepared preservation jars for marine specimens in the taxonomy warehouse. Designed and curated a small zoological museum in the zoology department for biology students.
Science Teacher & Enrichment Tutor (13 years)
Various locations in the USA and Australia
Developed engaging science lessons and curricula for elementary (primary) and high school students in different educational philosophies. Observed for creative science teaching techniques, which were later published in an academic education journal. Teacher representative and committee member on the board of directors for four years. Managed projects for community outreach on citizen science and science education.
M.S.A. Australian Institute of Marine Science
Skills & Achievements
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Coral husbandry and aquaculture
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Excel & Google Sheets proficiency
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RStudio and data analysis proficiency with ongoing courses
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ImageJ proficiency (java-based image processing program)
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Published writer specialising in science since 2002
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First Aid & CPR certified
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Master Naturalist (Lowcountry, SC, USA) certified
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Coral tissue blast/symbiont extraction (Lizard Island)
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Advanced PADI Diver since 1998
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Horseshoe crab husbandry for schools (USA) certified
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Advanced social media and digital media management certified
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Secured over $450K in grants for wildlife conservation projects
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Two years of successful coral spawning collections
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American Australian Association Research Scholarship Recipient 2022
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Research featured in Queensland Museum's exhibit "A Century of Australian Coral Reef Science" 2023
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Science educator for over 12 years
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Public speaking and representing at conferences
Volunteer Work
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Co-chief Editor: ReefBites (International Coral Reef Society)
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Australian Seabird Rescue and Sea Turtle Hospital
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Lowcountry Master Naturalist Association
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Committee member: Australian Marine Science Association (AMSA, NSW chapter)
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Board member and teacher liaison for several schools
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Secretary for SCU's 2022 Research in Science and Engineering (RISE) Conference
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Grant recipient judge for the American Australian Association (AAA)
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Australian Museum Atlas of Living Australia (DigiVol)
Professional Affiliations
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Australian Marine Science Association
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International Coral Reef Society (ICRS)
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Australian Society for Fish Biology (ASFB)
M.S.A. Australian Institute of Marine Science
