About Me
Growing up
My passion for animals and science was pretty clear from an early age. Growing up in New Zealand, my favourite things in the world were either playing rugby (kind of a given), going to the zoo, or watching the Magic School Bus. Seeing gorillas, tigers, and penguins up close? Watching a cool teacher drive around in a bus doing fun science experiment? What’s not to like?!
But it wasn’t until I joined the science club in middle school (I know, stay with me), that I first understood that all of those passions could be put together. Luckily for me, our science teacher (my Ms. Frizzle) was also an extremely passionate teacher. One day, while we were dissecting some stingrays and sharks after school (see, told you), she opened our eyes to where science can go. Science doesn’t have to just be sitting in a lab with a lab coat on and goggles, it can be whatever you make it to be: Animals, science, and conservation – it CAN be done!
And that was that. It was the final push I needed for me to pursue a career in animal conservation – SOMEHOW, I will make it happen.
Becoming a scientist
I am one of the very lucky few who, while on a path to becoming a scientist, was able to start a career as a zookeeper - one of the highlights of my life. In fact, I’ve been lucky enough to land zookeeping positions at two of the most well-regarded zoo and conservation organisations in the world – The Singapore Zoo & Night Safari, and Melbourne Zoo (Animals ✅)
While my zookeeping career was taking off, I was also busy completing my PhD in reproductive biology at Monash University (science ✅) fueled by another incredibly passionate biologist and conservationist: A/Prof Peter Temple-Smith.
However, I’d convinced myself for so many years that this is what I wanted. To be some sort of David Attenborough cross Bill Nye character travelling the world saving animals with bow ties and science. While I still graduated from my PhD at Monash University, it became clear to me that constantly convincing myself to be something I didn't enjoy wasn’t the right approach, and, eventually, I fell out of love with my lifelong dream of becoming a scientist and fell in love with science communication instead (talk about mixed signals).
Becoming a science communicator
Something that was drilled into us during PhD days was being able to discern fact from the fanciful, or the accurate from the questionable. I.E to question everything. It’s ‘easy’ to publish research, but it’s far harder to publish reliable, repeatable, high-quality research.
Presenting at department meetings & scientific conferences, teaching masters and honours students, and incorporating repro-biology more into zoo settings. Everything that I learned was still there, but I was communicating it, rather than studying it; just the way I like it.
While I didn't become the bow tie wearing scientist/conservationist of my childhood dreams, I've become something equally awesome. A science communicator who still gets to travel, but talks about the science instead. Bow ties, though... they definitely got the axe.
I’m not here to toot my own horn. I’m here to toot the horn of others and celebrate the amazing scientific discoveries being made every day, but aren’t communicated well enough (or at all). I've spoken on every platform you can think of to get the science OUT THERE in accessible, interesting ways. Not only do I get to hear and talk about all the amazing science without the boring lab time, I get to see the wonder, enthusiasm, and appreciation for science grow in others just like it burns in me - sounds like a win win win to me!