Airlie Beach, Queensland, Australia
I am an interdisciplinary environmental scientist with a PhD in Microbial Ecology, a BSc in Analytical Chemistry, and 15+ years of experience across water quality, molecular microbiology, analytical chemistry, environmental monitoring, and laboratory operations. I work at the intersection of science, data, and environmental resilience, advancing projects from the Great Barrier Reef to Lake Baikal and the UNESCO-supported Solomon Islands oil spill response. My technical expertise spans DNA/RNA workflows, microbial ecology, hydrocarbon & contaminant analysis, GC-MS/LC-MS/ICP-MS, water quality chemistry, microbial risk assessment, and ISO/NATA-aligned QA/QC. I combine this with strong data capabilities in Python, SQL, machine learning, statistical modelling, and GIS, enabling me to convert complex environmental datasets into actionable insights for government, research, and industry. I have contributed to national and international programs including Paddock to Reef, UN Soil Convention reference testing, hydrocarbon spill impact assessments, and long-term limnological and microbial ecology research. Also I supported local government by improving analytical processes, enhancing contractor compliance on infrastructure projects, and strengthening environmental performance reporting. I thrive in roles that combine scientific depth, analytical thinking, operational leadership, and project delivery — whether in water quality science, environmental analytics, carbon and ecosystem monitoring, or advanced laboratory settings. I am passionate about building data-driven environmental solutions that strengthen ecosystems, support decision-makers, and create long-term sustainability.
- Coordinate environmental monitoring, water quality, wastewater and laboratory activities across the Whitsunday Region. - Manage environmental and laboratory data, supporting operational, compliance and regulatory reporting requirements. - Prepare monthly environmental performance reports, technical summaries and compliance documentation for management, regulatory agencies and industry stakeholders. - Support NATA accreditation activities, laboratory quality systems, QA/QC programs and staff competency requirements. - Coordinate environmental sampling programs and review laboratory results for water, wastewater and environmental monitoring. - Liaise with treatment plant operators, laboratory staff, contractors and external stakeholders including DETSI and Queensland water industry bodies regarding environmental compliance and reporting matters. - Support environmental reporting obligations, including SWIM reporting, regulatory requests and industry reporting requirements. - Maintain laboratory information systems, reporting workflows and data management processes, driving continuous improvement in reporting and compliance.
Business Support: Infrastructure Lifecycle Planning and Performance. - Support Infrastructure Lifecycle Planning & Performance by coordinating cross-departmental workflows, improving communication between council, contractors, and project teams. - Assign and track customer and councillor enquiries using Pathway, ensuring timely resolution and visibility for senior officers. - Produce weekly operational and compliance reports that help team leaders prioritise actions and refine service delivery. - Facilitate communication with external contractors (Austek) to verify asphalt project compliance and environmental documentation. - Initiate purchase orders for materials and services in SAP, supporting infrastructure, maintenance, and environmental operations. - Engage daily with officers, engineers, and project managers across the organisation via MS Teams and email, strengthening collaboration and operational efficiency.
- Conducted microbiological analyses in a NATA-accredited laboratory, supporting water quality, public health, and environmental monitoring programs. - Performed testing for indicators including Legionella and microbial contaminants across drinking water, wastewater, and industrial systems. - Utilised Tableau, SQL, and R to improve water quality insights, streamline data processing, and support decision-making. - Strengthened QA/QC processes aligned with ISO 17025, ensuring highly accurate results across routine and investigative assessments. - Supported operational teams with interpretation of laboratory findings, environmental risk trends, and compliance reporting.
- Conducted chemical analyses of drinking water, recycled water, wastewater, and industrial samples, assessing pH, alkalinity, turbidity, salinity, nutrients, metals, and hydrocarbons. - Performed monitoring of trihalomethanes, petroleum hydrocarbons, chlorine residuals, and corrosion indicators to ensure water safety and regulatory compliance. - Applied GC-MS, ion chromatography, and spectrophotometric methods to identify contaminants and operational risks. - Supported environmental integrity initiatives by providing high-quality data to treatment plant operators, asset managers, and environmental planners.
- Delivered high-precision chemical analyses for the Paddock to Reef (P2R) monitoring program, contributing to official Great Barrier Reef Report Cards. - Analysed nutrients, sediments, and contaminants using ICP, Seal AutoAnalyzer, spectrophotometry, and LIMS workflows. - Acted as a reference laboratory for the UN Soil Convention in the Pacific region, providing method support and quality assurance. - Mentored three staff in analytical techniques, data management, and instrument troubleshooting, improving laboratory capability. - Strengthened GLP/GMP and ISO-aligned processes to ensure defensible environmental datasets for national and international stakeholders.
- Performed water quality analyses to support reef catchment monitoring across QLD, NSW, and VIC. - Conducted Total Suspended Solids (TSS) assessments and reagent/standard preparation for multi-site sampling campaigns. - Supported the optimisation of analytical workflows to improve consistency and throughput.
- Contributed to the UNESCO-supported Solomon Islands oil spill investigation, analysing hydrocarbons in sand and water using GC-MS; results informed a $14–$38M environmental damage assessment. - Supported the National Residue Survey by analysing cadmium in livestock and food products using ICP-MS, ensuring national food safety compliance. - Processed high sample volumes (40+ per day) while maintaining strict QA/QC requirements, accelerating reporting timelines. - Strengthened laboratory performance through method refinement, LIMS integration, and cross-team collaboration.
- Founded and operated a mobile coffee business generating ~$50K annual revenue. - Designed and delivered mobile café services across events and markets; managed inventory, team operations, and B2C sales. - Developed unique customer engagement and service delivery practices, supporting strong repeat business.