Project Lead, Valuing Sustainability Future Science Platform, CSIRO Agriculture and Food: I am leading an interdisciplinary project that aims to understand the drivers and outcomes of human health in food system transitions under a range of scenarios including, climate, land use/land management and policy.

I am enriched to have had the opportunity to be a focal part of a trans-disciplinary research programme into the impacts of climate change and vector-borne diseases and subsequent implications for policy and practice. I am challenged by the opportunity to link disciplines, under a Planetary Health research framework with a focus on the Australia and Asia-Pacific region to study how environmental change, ecological disruption, and human behaviour are influencing the spread and distribution of… Show more I am enriched to have had the opportunity to be a focal part of a trans-disciplinary research programme into the impacts of climate change and vector-borne diseases and subsequent implications for policy and practice. I am challenged by the opportunity to link disciplines, under a Planetary Health research framework with a focus on the Australia and Asia-Pacific region to study how environmental change, ecological disruption, and human behaviour are influencing the spread and distribution of mosquito-borne viruses in Australia and the Pacific region. Show less

Through this role, I have the invaluable opportunity to experience first-hand the process of development of the IPCC 6th Assessment Report on Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. In my capacity as Chapter scientist to Chapter 11 – Australasia, I collaborate with the Lead Authors to provide technical and content support and facilitate coordination of the writing process. I am also a contributing expert author to two other chapters, Chapter 7 – Human Health and Wellbeing and… Show more Through this role, I have the invaluable opportunity to experience first-hand the process of development of the IPCC 6th Assessment Report on Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. In my capacity as Chapter scientist to Chapter 11 – Australasia, I collaborate with the Lead Authors to provide technical and content support and facilitate coordination of the writing process. I am also a contributing expert author to two other chapters, Chapter 7 – Human Health and Wellbeing and Chapter 9 – Africa. Show less

This role provided me with a great opportunity to move beyond scientific predictions to applied research; translating research outputs into policy relevant outcomes. Within this role, I was instrumental in developing a multi-sectoral framework and leading resources package to guide local government responses to climate change risks and impacts. I also had the opportunity provide scientific input on developing integrated climate change risk assessment to support a programme aimed at… Show more This role provided me with a great opportunity to move beyond scientific predictions to applied research; translating research outputs into policy relevant outcomes. Within this role, I was instrumental in developing a multi-sectoral framework and leading resources package to guide local government responses to climate change risks and impacts. I also had the opportunity provide scientific input on developing integrated climate change risk assessment to support a programme aimed at strengthening the Queensland State Government’s institutional capacity to respond to climate risks. Show less

Throughout my tertiary studies I have assisted and collaborated on various research projects by conducting literature reviews, facilitating research seminars, assisting with technical writing for grant proposals.

My Doctoral Candidature provided my first introduction into systems thinking and the modelling of complex socio-ecological systems. I undertook an ambitious, trans-disciplinary study that aimed to understand the variables influencing the risk of malaria infection in the context of a changing climate and other major ecological, economic and social drivers. This research study took me out of my comfort zone from experimental laboratory research and significantly expanded my knowledge base and… Show more My Doctoral Candidature provided my first introduction into systems thinking and the modelling of complex socio-ecological systems. I undertook an ambitious, trans-disciplinary study that aimed to understand the variables influencing the risk of malaria infection in the context of a changing climate and other major ecological, economic and social drivers. This research study took me out of my comfort zone from experimental laboratory research and significantly expanded my knowledge base and research skills in conducting large scale ecological research. One important aspect of my PhD study was to deliver policy-relevant adaptation strategies for public health, therefore the translation of research outputs into policy and practice remains a focal area of my research pursuits. Show less

07/2016 – 07/2016: Consultant, Queensland Reconstruction Authority, Brisbane Australia:This was a one-month consultancy position in collaboration will other colleagues at Griffith University. We were contracted by the Queensland Reconstruction Authority’s (QRA) to provide strategic advice and support in the development of their programme on disaster resilience, mitigation and recovery. Significant outputs of this consultancy were an Issues Paper on “Building a More Disaster Resilient… Show more 07/2016 – 07/2016: Consultant, Queensland Reconstruction Authority, Brisbane Australia:This was a one-month consultancy position in collaboration will other colleagues at Griffith University. We were contracted by the Queensland Reconstruction Authority’s (QRA) to provide strategic advice and support in the development of their programme on disaster resilience, mitigation and recovery. Significant outputs of this consultancy were an Issues Paper on “Building a More Disaster Resilient Queensland” and a journal publication on emerging themes in disaster resilience literature. 02/2013 – 03/2013 Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board, Nairobi, Kenya:This was a two-month consultancy to provide technical expertise and research on activities to establish systems for validation and regulation of in vitro diagnostics and medical equipment for use in Kenya02/2011 - 05/2011: Bridge International Academies, Nairobi, Kenya:This was a three-month consultancy contract to support the establishment of a teacher-training database and to revise and improve the teacher training manuals Show less

As part of my doctoral studies, I undertook a six-month comprehensive field study to understand local drivers of climate change and malaria risk, while based at the East African Institute

This position provided me with my initial experience moving away from laboratory benchtop research and analysis into large-scale ecological research. This position also provided me with the opportunity to lead and provide technical coordination on a large internationally funded and collaborative research baseline study on weather and climate information needs of rural communities. This project expanded my knowledge base in understanding the connections between the health of the environment and… Show more This position provided me with my initial experience moving away from laboratory benchtop research and analysis into large-scale ecological research. This position also provided me with the opportunity to lead and provide technical coordination on a large internationally funded and collaborative research baseline study on weather and climate information needs of rural communities. This project expanded my knowledge base in understanding the connections between the health of the environment and human health and further, the importance of practical response strategies that are policy-relevant and sensitive to the needs of local communities. Significant outputs of this project were a working paper and a journal publication. Show less

Pharmaceutical industry position in quality control and regulatory affairs.Single-handedly revised, streamlined and improved the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and On the Job (OJTs) training manuals for the animal testing laboratory .

Support analyst for an environmental testing laboratory. This position was concurrent with my Bachelor and Master’s studies.

My tenure at Southern Illinois University provided a rewarding introduction to teaching at undergraduate level. During this period, I assisted university faculty in strengthening concepts through the implementation and supervision of specific laboratory exercises designed for undergraduate students; created and graded laboratory assignments, quizzes and exams and maintained office hours to answer any student questions. Courses included bacteriology, microbiology, human anatomy and physiology… Show more My tenure at Southern Illinois University provided a rewarding introduction to teaching at undergraduate level. During this period, I assisted university faculty in strengthening concepts through the implementation and supervision of specific laboratory exercises designed for undergraduate students; created and graded laboratory assignments, quizzes and exams and maintained office hours to answer any student questions. Courses included bacteriology, microbiology, human anatomy and physiology, zoology and advanced physiology Show less

Short-term consultancy position to provide vacation support for the microbiology lab.