I completed a Graduate Certificate of Permaculture Design at CQUniversity in 2017. During this course, I developed a special interest in organic waste management and realised a need for more robust scientific evidence in sustainability initiatives and policies. Combining my love of dogs, gardens and environmental sustainability, I embarked on a PhD project investigating home composting as a sustainable method for managing, and safely using, dog faecal waste. 

In 2024, I graduated with a PhD in environmental science, where I investigated the potential of home composting dog faeces for use in edible gardens. My research seeks to understand the challenges and opportunities for government, industry and households to reduce, recycle, and reuse organic wastes. My research focuses on the physical, chemical and biological aspects of the composting process and compost quality as well as the performance of compostable plastics in real-world composting environments. 

Central Queensland University

Australian Film, Radio and Television School (AFTRS)

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (USA)

University of South Carolina at Aiken

Clemson University

Central Queensland University

University of South Australia

2025: The New York Times - Ask NYT Climate - Questions on climate and the environment

What Kind of Dog Poop Bags Should I Use? Are those green bags that claim to be compostable really better for the environment? We’ve got the scoop. Link to article

2024: The New York Times - Wirecutter - Pets 

The Best Dog Poop Bags, Dispensers, and Bag Holders. Link to article

2022: Cosmos Magazine

It’s National Compost Week! Here’s everything you need to know about food waste. Link to article

2021: Cosmos Magazine

Odd Jobs: Dr Dog Poo. Link to article

2020: ABC Radio National - Life Matters

Can dog poo be used to grow our food? Link to interview

2020: ABC News Illawarra - Recycling and Waste Management

Researcher takes on unenviable task of finding out if dog poo can be safely used in our gardens. Link to article

2019 - present: Member of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), Australasia Chapter.

2019 - present: Member of the Australian Organics Recycling Association (AORA)

In 2020-2021, as part of the APR Internship program, I conducted research for Legatus Group, a local government collective in regional South Australia. The final report from this industry project can be found here:

The Circular Economy in Regional South Australia – The potential for making and using organic compost