I am working in the Ecophysiology and Conservation Research Group at Monash University. My research focuses on ecophysiology, spatial ecology, and conservation science and planning for marine megafauna (turtles, sharks, rays and crocodiles). I am also supervising postgraduate students and teaching undergraduates in the School of Biological Sciences.

I conduct research to improve our knowledge and conservation of leatherback sea turtles. I have worked with Upwell to prepare two leatherback turtle hatchling dispersal field experiments at Pacuare Nature Reserve on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. My continuing work with Upwell focuses on building consensus among scientists on efforts to decrease East Pacific leatherback turtle mortality.

I was a Postdoctoral Fellow working in the Marine Science Laboratory at FAU with Prof. Jeanette Wyneken. I was primarily working on spatial ecology and conservation physiology of sea turtles, with a focus on leatherback sea turtles. I also managed the GW&CT Bailey Marine SEA Scholars team of postgraduate and undergraduate students who conduct outreach and science communication for the Marine Science Laboratory ( http://biology.fau.edu/marine-lab/scholar-program.php ).

I primarily work on a project to develop a shark and ray safe handling and practices guide for recreational fishers. I will be coordinating a communications campaign aimed at causing behavioural change of fishers in their interactions with captured sharks and rays in Victoria. This will lead to improved safety for the recreational fishers and improved outcomes for Victorian shark and ray populations. https://www.frdc.com.au/project/2018-042I also work one day a week on other projects… Show more I primarily work on a project to develop a shark and ray safe handling and practices guide for recreational fishers. I will be coordinating a communications campaign aimed at causing behavioural change of fishers in their interactions with captured sharks and rays in Victoria. This will lead to improved safety for the recreational fishers and improved outcomes for Victorian shark and ray populations. https://www.frdc.com.au/project/2018-042I also work one day a week on other projects within our lab and in collaboration with Upwell. This keeps me actively involved in sea turtle research and conservation here in Australia and Central America.http://richardreina.com/ Show less

Responsibilities include: marking of student assignments, conducting practical classes, demonstrations, workshops, and field excursions. Roles include: Teacher, Role model, Source of all knowledge, Marker, Editor, Learning skills advisor, Discussion facilitator, Mediator, Cheerleader, Liaison, Safety officer, Equal opportunities advisor, Motivator, Organiser, Source of enthusiasm!Skills/Qualities/Abilities gained: I give clear explanations when asked questions and demonstrate… Show more Responsibilities include: marking of student assignments, conducting practical classes, demonstrations, workshops, and field excursions. Roles include: Teacher, Role model, Source of all knowledge, Marker, Editor, Learning skills advisor, Discussion facilitator, Mediator, Cheerleader, Liaison, Safety officer, Equal opportunities advisor, Motivator, Organiser, Source of enthusiasm!Skills/Qualities/Abilities gained: I give clear explanations when asked questions and demonstrate practical techniques clearly. I have a good knowledge of the theoretical subject matter. I ensure that I mark work in a consistent manner. I provide a safe workplace. I am friendly and give the same attention to all without bias towards individuals. I support students and help their self confidence. Show less

I worked on insect physiology projects with Associate Professor Paul Cooper. I also conducted research on crop ecophysiology (wheat and sorghum) with Professor Bob Furbank.

I completed my PhD on the "Control and ecological significance of embryonic development in turtles and crocodiles" at Monash University under the supervision of Richard Reina and Roger Evans. Broadly, my research was focused on comparative ecological physiology. I carried out a range of experiments in Australia at Windjana Gorge, Darwin, and Heron Island, and in Costa Rica at Ostional, Pacuare, and Playa Grande.

Responsibilities include: marking of student assignments, conducting practical classes, demonstrations, workshops, and field excursions. Roles include: Teacher, Role model, Source of all knowledge, Marker, Editor, Learning skills advisor, Discussion facilitator, Mediator, Cheerleader, Liaison, Safety officer, Equal opportunities advisor, Motivator, Organiser, Source of enthusiasm!Skills/Qualities/Abilities gained: I give clear explanations when asked questions and demonstrate… Show more Responsibilities include: marking of student assignments, conducting practical classes, demonstrations, workshops, and field excursions. Roles include: Teacher, Role model, Source of all knowledge, Marker, Editor, Learning skills advisor, Discussion facilitator, Mediator, Cheerleader, Liaison, Safety officer, Equal opportunities advisor, Motivator, Organiser, Source of enthusiasm!Skills/Qualities/Abilities gained: I give clear explanations when asked questions and demonstrate practical techniques clearly. I have a good knowledge of the theoretical subject matter. I ensure that I mark work in a consistent manner. I provide a safe workplace. I am friendly and give the same attention to all without bias towards individuals. I support students and help their self confidence. Show less

Whilst conducting my field research in Costa Rica for my PhD I volunteered for the Leatherback Trust in Playa Grande. I conducted nightly beach surveys for nesting leatherback, green, and olive ridley turtles and supervised Earthwatch volunteers.

I demonstrated for 1st, 2nd and 3rd year subjects offered in the School of Biology- BIOL241: Biodiversity of Terrestrial Organisms- BIOL105: Functional Biology of Animals and Plants- BIOL332: Ecological and Evolutionary PhysiologyI received extensive training in professional and organisational development. I also developed productive and positive teaching ideologies.

Employed as a research assistant for multiple projects within the School of Biology. I conducted plant population surveys for Dr. Mark Ooi's ARC linkage project with the Office of Environment and Heritage titled “Seed bank science and climate change”. I cultivated over 800 adult native plants from collected seed. I conducted bushfire fuel surveys for the Centre for Environmental Risk Management of Bushfires. Stationed at Fowlers Gap Research Station two hours north of Broken Hill for… Show more Employed as a research assistant for multiple projects within the School of Biology. I conducted plant population surveys for Dr. Mark Ooi's ARC linkage project with the Office of Environment and Heritage titled “Seed bank science and climate change”. I cultivated over 800 adult native plants from collected seed. I conducted bushfire fuel surveys for the Centre for Environmental Risk Management of Bushfires. Stationed at Fowlers Gap Research Station two hours north of Broken Hill for two three weeks periods I worked with Prof. Kris French and the Australian Plague Locust Commission on a project titled “Effects of aerially spraying locusts on the ecosystems of arid Australia”. I was also employed by Dr. Adam Munn as a an animal attendant at the Ecological Research Centre.Through this period of employment I gained:- further skills in independent experimental design, data collection & data presentation- detailed knowledge of the vegetation communities in NSW’s forests- extensive knowledge and expertise in bushfire hazard ratings- 4w-driving experience- experience in extremely remote working environments- extensive knowledge of arid zone insect identification and pit-fall trapping- techniques for drift net and pit-fall trapping of herps- improved animal husbandry skills & animal ethics knowledge already gained from my Honours research Show less

For my Honours year I completed a project titled “Gastrointestinal plasticity in king quail (Coturnix chinensis): a consequence of diet-fibre or nutrient dilution?” and was supervised by Dr. Adam Munn- Awarded Jim Campbell Prize for best overall mark in Biology Honours- Developed a sound research methodology- Scientific Journal Article & Report writing skills- Animal husbandry skills & ethics knowledge gained- Excellent euthanasia & dissection skills learnt- Sound… Show more For my Honours year I completed a project titled “Gastrointestinal plasticity in king quail (Coturnix chinensis): a consequence of diet-fibre or nutrient dilution?” and was supervised by Dr. Adam Munn- Awarded Jim Campbell Prize for best overall mark in Biology Honours- Developed a sound research methodology- Scientific Journal Article & Report writing skills- Animal husbandry skills & ethics knowledge gained- Excellent euthanasia & dissection skills learnt- Sound Statistical knowledge developed Show less

Student Representative promoted to Team Leader for the domestic marketing department of the University of Wollongong. I was responsible for representing the university at marketing conferences and events, as well as visiting high schools to market the university. This involved writing presentations and speeches to deliver to audiences from 10-2000 people. I also conducted tours for visiting prospective students, international dignitaries and guests. This position also required liaising with… Show more Student Representative promoted to Team Leader for the domestic marketing department of the University of Wollongong. I was responsible for representing the university at marketing conferences and events, as well as visiting high schools to market the university. This involved writing presentations and speeches to deliver to audiences from 10-2000 people. I also conducted tours for visiting prospective students, international dignitaries and guests. This position also required liaising with persons at all levels in the University hierarchy (3 certificates of appreciation from the Vice Chancellor). Show less

For my paid research internship I completed a project titled “Thermogenesis in plants: the mode of heating and regulation in hot flowers”. This was a 100 hr paid student internship working for Prof. Sharon Robinson’s research group.My tasks included; plant dissections, using & programming I-buttons, mitochondrial isolation, and the use of laboratory centrifuges.