I am a Sydney-based environmental microbiologist (awaiting PhD conferral from UNSW) dedicated to exploring microbial dark matter (the 80% of microorganisms that remain uncultivated) and making them a little less dark. Driven by an early interest in astrobiology, my research focuses on extremophiles, microbe-environment interactions, and evolutionary transitions. Specifically, my doctoral work investigated Asgard Archaea and their cytoskeletal proteins to decode the origin of eukaryotic cells.

I strongly advocate for blue-sky, interdisciplinary science that blends computational and experimental approaches to solve complex biological questions. I believe that interdisciplinary work opens unexplored avenues of research that can transform both the research community and broader society through new techniques, ideas, or resources. 

• Research Interests: Non-model organisms, evolutionary microbiology, eukaryogenesis, astrobiology, and biogeochemistry. 
• Technical Toolkit: Anaerobic cultivation, bioinformatics, and protein biochemistry.
• Collaborative Network: Committee member of the Joint Academic Microbiology Seminars (JAMS), member of the Australian Centre for Astrobiology (ACA), and member of the Swiss-Australian Academic Network (SAAN). 

Outside of research, I am known for my underwater escapades and very amateur underwater photography. 

If you'd like to get an idea of the research I undertook for my PhD, check out this little interview I did for Boiling Point Science - a local science podcast based at Eastside FM.

Header image used for personal use. © State of Western Australia, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA).