Biography and expertise
Biography
Prior to joining SCU, I worked for 7 years at the CSIRO in Canberra, the last four as an experimental scientist in plant breeding focused on quality in cereal crops using both GM and non-GM methodologies.
During my PhD I investigated coral bleaching. In particular, I looked at the roles of both the coral host and the algal symbiont in this stress response, and whether a coral could change its algal symbiont to become more thermo-tolerant.
I'm a member of SCU's Research Clusters:
- Reefs and Oceans
My work contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals
Research
I have a strong interest in all aspects of plant breeding, from the initial management of the genetic resources to the delivery of outcomes for commercial partners.
I am currently working on establishing international-quality genetic resource facilities, procedures and collections for hemp, as well as pre-breeding characterisations of our hemp germplasm resource. I also have a role as the plant breeder in a tea tree essential oil breeding program.