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I am a wildlife biologist with a broad research background in ecology, animal behaviour and ecophysiology. At UTS, I teach Australian Wildlife and Management and Wildlife Field Techniques: Animal Handling and Survey Methods. From a young age, I've always been fascinated by lizards and snakes, and I've been fortunate enough to have made a career as a wildlife biologist. I'm very passionate about conserving Australia's unique wildlife. My research group tackles a range of questions in ecology, wildlife management, behavioural ecology, and conservation biology. One of our goals is to develop practical solutions to environmental problems. For example, we used behavioural ecophysiology to find the cane toad's Achille's heel; we then showed that if graziers converted artificial water points to leak-proof Poly tanks, we could exclude cane toads from over a million square kilometers of Australia's semi-arid lands. This ground-breaking research underpins the science behind the Toad Containment Zone, which aims to prevent cane toads from reaching the Pilbara region of WA, one of Australia's biodiversity hotspots. Currently, I am collaborating with Aussie Ark and the Traditional Owners to help conserve Australia's most endangered snake, the broad-headed snake Hoplocephalus bungaroides. This species was once common on Sydney harbour foreshores and inner city suburbs, but it has disappeared from many areas due to the removal of bush rock for landscaping. Broad-headed snakes and their prey rely on 'bush rock' for shelter and thermoregulation; they don't need to bask because rocks provide warmth and protection from avian predators. In May 2026, Aussie Ark, UTS and the Traditional Owners carried out the first experimental reintroduction of captive reared broad-headed snakes! This pilot study will yield important information which will help to guide future reintroductions of this iconic species. However, much remains to be done. Did you know that in 1999, the NSW government formally listed bush-rock removal as a Key Threatening Process, yet today you can still buy bush rocks from landscape suppliers and nurseries? How does this make any sense? The removal of bush rocks from rock outcrops permanently removes key habitats that mammals, frogs, reptiles and invertebrates depend on for shelter, food, and warmth. Because the government has not stopped the sale of bush rock, my group developed fibre reinforced concrete rocks which we used to restore rock outcrops damaged by decades of bush rock removal. Our artificial rocks had thermal regimes that closely mimicked those of natural rocks, and we discovered that an amazing diversity of reptiles, frogs and invertebrates rapidly colonised the rocks just weeks after their deployment. What can you do to help protect our unique wildlife that relies on natural rocks for survival? Don't buy bush rocks from landscape suppliers or nurseries. Lobby your local council to bring in by-laws to prevent the sale of bush rocks in your local government area. Write to the Minister for the Environment. Use alternative products, like quarried sandstone, concrete stepping stones, or concrete sleepers. |