My research is highly interdisciplinary, but my primary research is in microbial functions in ecosystems. Some of the ecosystems I study include: seagrass ecosystems (estuarine and coastal), urban streams, agricultural and contaminated soils. I am especially interested in the ecology of the rhizosphere environment, which is the zone of soil that is influenced by plant roots.

Locally, I work closely with natural resource managers to improve our ability to respond to and manage activities that impact our ecosystems. Internationally, I work with leaders in microbiome research; building capacity and drawing investment into WA in this growing field of microbiome research.

I am Co-founder and a Director of Ooid Scientific and am based in Perth/Albany (Boorloo/Kinjarling). I have 14+ years experience working as an ecological researcher in academia and industry.

I have a PhD in marine microbial ecology from the University of Western Australia and a First Class Honors degree in Environmental Science. I continue to provide supervision of several postdoctoral students at the University of Western Australia and currently serve as an Adjunct Research Fellow in the School of Biological Science.