Zachary is a PhD student in microbial ecology. His project is exploring the extent and diversity of interactions between microbes and other trophic levels (e.g., mosses, lichens, microinvertebrates) in terrestrial Antarctica. Using a combination of meta’omics, biogeochemical analyses, and mesocosm work, his research also aims to reveal how biodiversity, community structure, and metabolic strategies are…
Elka is a research assistant with SAEF at the University of Wollongong. Her background is in freshwater ecosystem fisheries, specializing in environmental DNA assay development, validation and use. Elka has always been intrigued by the remote and harsh environment that is Antarctica and jumped at the opportunity to be involved with SAEF. She looks forward…
Claudia’s research focuses on stress eco-physiology, and various aspects of primary producers’ responses to the environment, aiming to reveal traits that permit cryptogams (mainly lichens and mosses) to exist and persist in polar terrestrial habitats. Her research investigates fundamental questions in the biology of lichens, such as their acclimation potential to changing environmental conditions. She…
Edel is a PhD student within the Marine Omics research group at James Cook University. Her previous research as molecular ecologist focused on population structure and species complexes within cephalopods, non-invasive genetics of terrestrial mammals and most recently within the Darwin Tree of Life (DToL) project at the Wellcome Sanger Institute. Here she developed expertise…
Paula is a global change ecologist specialising in ecological modelling, biomonitoring, and biogeography, with a focus on polar and extreme environments. Her research seeks to advance species distribution modelling by integrating mechanistic, ecophysiological, and remote sensing approaches to better predict biodiversity responses to climate change. As part of SAEF, Paula will develop new process-based frameworks…
Hao Yin is a PhD student at the University of Wollongong studying Antarctic mosses as proxies for past climate and environmental change. Her research combines radiocarbon dating with synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence and infrared microspectroscopy to investigate metal accumulation and compound preservation in moss tissues. By tracing spatial and temporal patterns in moss chemistry, she aims…
Dr Leonie Suter is a research scientist at the Australian Antarctic Division, interested in marine environmental DNA methods for biodiversity surveys. As part of SAEF she is working with a team that investigates how eDNA methods can help detect ship-associated non-native species that may potentially be travelling to Antarctica. “I want to ensure that human…
Stella is studying a Master of Philosophy at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT). Her project is on the role of taxonomic uncertainty on conservation planning for mosses, liverworts and lichens in Antarctica. She is interested in plant taxonomy, ecology, high latitude ecosystems and is passionate about the often-overlooked non-vascular plants. Stella has a Bachelor…
Associate Professor Michelle Greve is an ecologist with an interest in the patterns and drivers of distributions and diversity of plants, animals and microbes. Her research in the sub-Antarctic islands is also focussed on invasion ecology. Michelle uses a range of tools to pursue this interest; these include diversity metrics, functional traits, distribution modelling and…
In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands on which SAEF operates across Australia. We recognise their continuing connection to the land and water, and their deep and enduring understanding of how to care for Country. We are committed to learning from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and building a brighter future together.
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