Kia ora!
I am a well-published freshwater scientist with active collaborations in New Zealand and all over the world.
I use satellite remote sensing, in situ observations and coupled models to study lakes and coastal water quality. My work addresses ecosystem change, climate change impacts, lake restoration and harmful algal blooms.
I am a keen developer and writer of research proposals and have been successful in attracting funding. I have an active network with national and international scientists with whom I collaborate.
Browse this site to find out about my past research and consulting projects and ongoing work.
About me
I have a Ph.D. in biological oceanography at Dalhousie University, Canada. During my post-doc I worked on 3-D coupled hydrodynamic models and ocean colour remote sensing. Then I spent six years as an environmental consultant working on projects around coastal processes, marine and fresh water quality and coastal sediment transport.
In 2014, my family and I relocated to Aotearoa New Zealand for a research fellowship at the University of Waikato with Professor David Hamilton and the LERNZ group.
I have a track record writing winning proposals for research funding and consulting projects. This includes contribution to the successful proposal for the Lakes Resilience MBIE Endeavour programme (2016-2020); and in 2017, I conceived the Eye on Lakes project and was the principal proposal writer for a successful Smart Ideas bid. Eye on Lakes develops advanced remote detection methods for cyanobacteria blooms.
External funding for my work also came from consulting projects I proposed and ran. For example, Waikato Shallow Lakes Restoration Modelling and feasibility studies for councils to demonstrate the power of satellite remote sensing for lake monitoring.
I have had the pleasure of working with Māori groups and individuals on a number of occasions and have formed a particular relationship with Te Arawa Lakes Trust. We are currently developing in situ monitoring for cyanobacteria in the Te Arawa (Rotorua) Lakes under Eye on Lakes. I led several projects with iwi as major stakeholders (Lake Rotoiti Diversion Wall and Waikato Shallow Lakes Restoration Modelling).
In 2018, I joined Xerra to drive the research and development of satellite Earth observation data products to enhance stewardship of our land and water resources. I spearhead Xerra's research on marine invasive species for our maritime domain awareness platform Starboard and work on operational water quality remote sensing.
I hold an Adjunct Senior Research Fellowship at the University of Waikato (staff profile page) through which I maintain an active freshwater research portfolio, conduct teaching activities and postgraduate student supervision.
Read about selected research, consulting and student projects on my Projects page.
