I have more than 10 years as a dive professional in the marine tourism sector in Queensland including Keppel Bay, Mission Beach and the Whitsundays. Following my tourism work I upgraded a BSc in Chemistry and Biochemistry from James Cook University to a PhD in coral ecology at CQUniversity with co-supervision at AIMS Townsville. Among other things I now run a marine logistics company based in Rockhampton which is currently engaged in developing a live stream internet underwater video camera in Keppel Bay in conjunction with Reefcam US and Teens4oceans. I have specific skills in coral identification, benthic community mapping, statistical analysis of marine community assemblages, coral physiological measurements, molecular methods of coral and associated unicellular algae taxonomic identification and population structure and connectivity using microsatellite markers. I have previously advised government agencies on the values of coral communities in the southern GBR for a State Significant Project and for CITES coral export approval. I have assessed coral damage for a ship grounding in Micronesia. I have specialised skills in the use of low elevation aerial photography and solar, wired and wireless communications for underwater monitoring and have published on the use of marine resource mapping as an aid to Australia-Pacific maritime security. My community work includes community engagement in coral reef monitoring and marine debris.
Experience
2009–2012
Post doctoral researcher, Central Queensland University
2009–2010
Coordinator, Capricorn Conservation Council
1995–2008
Dive instructor, Keppel Reef Scuba Adventures
2001–2003
Snorkel guide, Fantasea Cruises
2000–2000
Receptionist, Hayman Island Resort
Education
2013
CQ TAFE, Cert IV Workplace Training and Assessment
2009
Central Queensland University, PhD
1984
QUT, PG Dip Teach (Secondary) Science
1983
James Cook University, BSc
Publications
2014
Flood Impacts in Keppel Bay, Southern Great Barrier Reef in the Aftermath of Cyclonic Rainfall, PLoS ONE
2012
The photokinetics of thermo-tolerance in Symbiodinium, Marine Ecology
2012
The influence of a season of extreme wet weather events on exposure of the World Heritage Area Great Barrier Reef to pesticides, Marine Pollution Bulletin
2012
Salinity thresholds of Acropora spp. on the Great Barrier Reef, Coral Reefs
2011
Tool use in the tuskfish Choerodon schoenleinii?, Coral Reefs
2011
Tradeoffs to thermal acclimation: Energetics and reproduction of a reef coral with heat tolerant Symbiodinium type-D, Journal of Marine Biology
2011
Raiding the Coral Nurseries?, Diversity
2010
Potential costs of acclimatization to a warmer climate: Growth of a reef coral with heat tolerant vs. sensitive symbiont types, PLoS ONE
2008
A 3D modeling method to calculate the surface areas of coral branches, Coral Reefs
2008
A community change in the symbionts of a scleractinian coral following a natural bleaching event: field evidence of acclimatization, Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences (1934-1990)
2008
Losing ‘nemo’: bleaching and collection impacts inshore populations of anemonefish and their hosts the sea anemones, Journal of Fish Biology