Profile

• Time Zone

  Eastern

  
  
• Organization

  Australian Dept Agriculture & Water Resources

  
  
• Role

  Scientist Mentor: I will mentor teams of students online

  
  
• Research Interests (300 words)

  Plant systematics and plant health biosecurity are my current areas of interest. I am particularly interested in the lack of research into international weed species, and how we can address this through partnership.

  
  
• Profile Question 1

  What is tough about being a scientist?

  
  
• Answer the question you selected for profile question 1 here (300 words):

  Reconciling with government policy. Until my recent position, I really did not understand how science feeds policy, but is not, in itself, policy. Communicating good science to policy people can be tough, but very rewarding as you navigate the minefield

  
  
• Profile Question 2

  What is the coolest thing you have discovered or learned about plants?

  
  
• Answer the question you selected for profile question 2 here (300 words):

  Their brilliant adaptive abilities! They are everywhere, in the craziest of conditions. Antarctica, desserts both tropical and alpine, coral atolls, you name it, there's a plant that has adapted.

  
  
• Profile Question 3

  What is best about being a scientist?

  
  
• Answer the question you selected for profile question 3 here (300 words):

  The absolute joy of science! It sounds cliche, but the freedom, even within a government organization, to explore science is a privilege and a pleasure. Who wouldn't want that?

  
  
• Availability

  I am NOT available, please temporarily remove me from the available mentor list

  
  
• In addition to English, I am comfortable communicating with students in the following languages:

  (not set)

  
  
• Capacity: How many teams at a time are you comfortable working with?

  2