Organising Committee

Aislinn is a Co-Chair of the VicBioCon25 Committee and a first year Ph.D. student in the Integrative Cognition Ecology and Bio-Inspiration Lab at Monash University. Her research focuses on the personality, learning ability and foraging behaviour of native Australian bees. She aims to investigate potential correlations between individual behaviour, cognition and pollination efficiency in Exoneura robusta.

​

Emily is a Co-Chair of the VicBioCon25 Committee and a first year Ph.D. student at Monash University studying evolutionary ecology in marine ectotherms. Her research is focusing on parental effects and the impacts of thermal extremes on the marine tubeworm, Galeolaria Caespitosa. She aims to improve accuracy in predictions of species responses to climate change.

Beau is a Co-Chair for the VicBioCon25 Committee as well as a first year Ph.D. student studying marine evolutionary ecology in tubeworms. His honours research investigated how diversity in mitochondrial genomes underpins thermal tolerance and how environmental temperature can predict reactions to future changes. He hopes to investigate the role of mitochondria in maintaining biodiversity in marine broadcast spawners.

Sally is a PhD candidate studying the interactions between feral ungulates and native animals in subalpine and alpine landscapes. She is particularly interested in how feral horses influence small mammal persistence and habitat using a combination of live trapping, camera trapping, GPS tracking and genetic analyses. This research will hope to inform best practice management techniques and help managers to understand the impacts feral ungulates exert on native communities. 

Pip is a third year Ph.D. student at the University of Melbourne, her research in urban ecology is aimed towards making our cities more liveable for both nature and people. She is currently investigating the effectiveness of nature strips for insect and bird conservation by planting habitat gardens on nature strips in Melbourne’s north. She hopes to find ecological value in these novel green spaces, and encourage others to take advantage of urban spaces for conservation.

​

Ashlen completed her Bachelor of Science in zoology at the University of Melbourne in 2020, and is now beginning a PhD in the School of Life and Environmental Sciences at Deakin University. She also works at Science Gallery Melbourne as a science communicator, with the goal of helping people to become more engaged in a wide variety of scientific topics.

​Bec recently completed a Bachelor of Zoology and Animal Science and is currently working at the Institute for Frontier Materials at Deakin University. Focusing on developing transferable skills and volunteer experience, Bec is hoping to continue her studies and pursue her passion for conservation and sustainability in the near future.

​Harriet has completed a Bachelor of Science and Arts, majoring in Ecology and Conservation Biology, Zoology, Anthropology and International Relations. In 2024, Harriet completed their Honours year, undertaking a research project to analyse the anti-predator responses of nocturnal geckos. Harriet is looking forward to pursuing a career working actively in the field to protect and conserve Australia’s incredible biodiversity, through working side-by-side with Indigenous land managers.

Kimberley has a Bachelor of Arts and Music from the University of Melbourne in areas including Psychology, Environmental Studies, Indigenous Studies and the History and Philosophy of Science. Kimberley has worked in education and science communication, and is interested in the intersection of health and wellbeing of people and the environment. She has a particular interest in urban biodiversity and the opportunity to make urban areas better habitat for all.

​Sarah is a freshwater scientist interested in the role of wetlands in the global carbon cycle. She completed her Bachelor of Biological Sciences at La Trobe University in 2016, with honours research focussed on the ecology of freshwater mussels. Her PhD in environmental science explored the impacts of ecological disturbances (flooding, fire, and grazing animals) on wetland carbon cycling in the Murray-Darling Basin. Sarah worked as a project officer and program manager on The Living Murray wetland restoration program before starting her postdoctoral research into carbon and water cycling in mountain and tropical peatlands and the physical and chemical properties of Australian alpine soils.

Ivona completed her Bachelor of Environmental Science, with a major in Environmental Management and Sustainability, in 2023. She is now working as a Research Assistant for Blue Carbon Lab at Deakin University, focusing on saltmarsh and mangrove research, conservation and regeneration. Ivona looks forward to pursuing a career in conservation and restoration, focusing on finding innovative methods to ecosystem restoration and educating the public on conservation efforts.