I am a marine ecologist addressing major issues facing predator populations and coral reefs.
My research focuses on the behaviour of animals in response to human pressures. I am interested in how humans can modify food chains, nutrient flows and the stability of ecosystems, particularly via the removal of predators, and how this can lead to processes such as trophic cascades and alternate stable states. My research seeks to understand how ecological processes unfold under a growing footprint of human activity, and how we can leverage this information to inform the conservation and management of marine ecosystems.
Much of my work uses small-scale experimental approaches to manipulate and explore ecological mechanisms. I specialise in using new and emerging technologies to quantify these processes, which are otherwise difficult to observe in the wild. I then test predictions that emerge from this work over larger spatial scales (100s - 1000s km) in complex systems (such as coral reefs) using natural experiments and observational data.
Hi, I’m Emily
I’m a marine ecologist working in the Thriving Oceans Research Hub at the University of Sydney. Recently, I was a Fulbright Postdoctoral Scholar currently working in Dr Liz Madin’s lab at the University of Hawai’i. I am interested in the drivers of fish demographics, I think sharks are fascinating, and I am passionate about the inclusion of women in STEM.
I believe that my research should have tangible implications for conservation. We are at a critical point in time where we can either make the necessary changes to alter the current trajectory of our oceans, or we can miss this dwindling opportunity. My goal is to conduct research that help to form part of the solution for thriving coral reefs.
Get in touch
Want to chat or share ideas? Get in touch with me below. I’d love to hear from you!
