I completed a BSc, a Graduate Diploma of Research Methods, and a Master of Science by Research in Marine Biology at James Cook University, where I focused on fish–habitat associations. After graduation, I worked in a range of research support and consultancy roles across academia and industry, primarily investigating the impacts of pollution on marine ecosystems. I was awarded a PhD from the University of Melbourne in 2018 for research on the ecological risks and functions of artificial reefs. Following this, I held a postdoctoral position at the Institute of Marine Research in Norway, where I studied maternal influence and climate-driven variation in recruitment of Norwegian spring-spawning herring—a key commercial fishery species. From 2019 to 2024, I held a teaching-intensive academic role at the University of Tasmania, where I led curriculum innovation. In 2025, I joined the Oceans Institute at the University of Western Australia as a Research Fellow.

My research explores pathways for the positive coexistence of humans and nature. I work at the intersection of marine ecology, engineering, and policy to drive sustainable ocean solutions.

Marine habitat restoration
Improving the evaluation of habitat restoration efforts is the primary focus of my current role as a Research Fellow at the Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia. I am part of a collaborative team developing and testing restoration success metrics—specifically, practical, cost-effective indicators that better reflect habitat functionality and long-term ecological resilience. The goal is to support restoration approaches that not only rebuild physical structure but also promote healthy, self-sustaining marine populations.

Eco-engineering
With over 20 years of experience in fish–habitat association research, I apply ecological insights to inform the eco-engineering of artificial structures—an increasingly vital endeavour in the face of accelerating environmental pressures on marine ecosystems.
I prioritise cross-sector and interdisciplinary collaboration, working with engineers, ecologists, managers, policymakers, and other stakeholders to optimise artificial habitat design that supports native biodiversity. My work was the first to demonstrate that artificial marine infrastructure can create ecological traps, and I have led the development of pioneering design solutions to minimise these risks and enhance biodiversity outcomes.

My work also extends to offshore developments, where I investigate how artificial structures can deliver positive ecological results. In 2022, I co-led a Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre (BECRC) scoping study on floating artificial reefs for recreational, commercial, and conservation purposes.

Policy impact
Translating research into policy and tangible environmental action is a central pillar of my work. I co-led the development of a risk-assessment-based decision-support tool for artificial infrastructure, helping to bridge scientific evidence with real-world policy application.

Marine pollution
In the field of marine pollution, my research focuses on the ecological impacts of emerging contaminants such as microplastics. This work has contributed to national environmental assessments including the State of the Environment report and the Treatise on Estuarine and Coastal Science, and has supported international collaborations with the Australian Maritime College, the University of Tasmania, and the University of Mumbai (2022–2023).

Centre for Marine-Socioecology

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Current projects

Below are the research topics of current members of my lab.

PhD

Andrew Taylor: Linking Recovery Trajectories to Quality-Centric Metrics in Coral Reef Restoration

Lillian Stewart (Academic advisor; PhD at UTAS): Identifying solutions-based approaches to debris accumulation in remote areas

Deborah Osterhage (Academic advisor; PhD at UTAS): Eco-engineering for biosecurity: mitigating marine invasions in ports

Master of Marine and Antarctic Science

Naomi Forrest (Academic advisor; Master at IMAS, UTAS) Modelling the spatial distribution of Patagonian Toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) by age and length in two sub – Antarctic regions