SREBA Researchers

Researchers from different organisations collected information and data about the Beetaloo study area to produce the SREBA domain reports. They are each experts in their respective field and formed a multi-disciplinary team of over 100 staff. Read some of the researchers profiles below.

Dr Cindy Ong, principle Research Scientist CSIRO

Cindy is an engineering, spectroscopy, remote sensing, environmental and greenhouse gas expert. She brings a wealth of specialist knowledge and experience to the SREBA program, from how to use satellite technology to measure greenhouse gases in the air, to fitting a monitoring device to the outside of a Toyota ute!

Cindy has experience leading large research teams in the areas of sensor development, atmospheric physics and software development. Cindy has worked for CSIRO since 1994. During this time, her research was focused on monitoring environmental impacts related to non-renewable resource development. Prior to her work with SREBA, Cindy’s prime research focus was on the quantification and monitoring of methane and other environmental impacts related to the onshore gas industry.

Cindy brought a wealth of experience to lead the Methane and Greenhouse Gas study of the SREBA program. Cindy led a team of researchers to design, plan and carry out the research program in the Beetaloo, including conducting field surveys herself and leading the production of four project reports.

Cindy has recently published her work on imaging spectroscopy within the EnMap (Environmental Mapping and Analysis Program), a German satellite mission that aims to monitor and characterise the Earth’s environment from space. Read more here.

Garth Humphreys, Principal Ecologist / Director Biota Environmental Sciences

I am a terrestrial ecologist with a BSc (Honours – first class) in zoology, with specialist expertise in subterranean ecosystems, mangrove and wetland communities and ecological monitoring.  I have experience in all aspects of such studies, including the design and implementation of subterranean fauna surveys, field sampling techniques, specimen identifications, and analysis and interpretation of genetic and morphological data.

I have worked on subterranean fauna since 1995 and was a technical adviser to the Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) in the preparation of its original subterranean fauna Environmental Assessment Guideline and later helped draft the now current EPA subterranean fauna technical guide. My past work has led to the discovery and conservation recognition of multiple previously unknown troglobitic fauna communities in northern Australia, in addition to pioneering the use of environmental DNA techniques to indirectly map the distribution of stygal vertebrates in groundwater systems.

I have also published multiple times in the scientific literature on subterranean ecology and taxonomy, and been a research partner in ARC Linkage Grants investigating stygofauna ecology and diversity in the Australian arid zone.  My contributions in this capacity led to me being appointed as a Research Associate at the Western Australian Museum.

I led the stygofauna domain for SREBA, including the overall design and objectives of the survey, and ensuring provision of suitable sampling techniques and appropriate effort. I was also the lead author of the SREBA stygofauna report, consolidating and interpreting the data analysis and findings undertaken by my high calibre colleagues in the stygofauna study team.

John Patykowski, Vegetation Ecologist DEPWS Northern Territory Government

I am an environmental scientist with a PhD in plant ecology, specialising in plant community functional ecology, disturbance ecology (including fire), and rare and threatened species. I have experience in all aspects of plant ecological studies, including the design and implementation of vegetation and flora research and monitoring surveys, field sampling techniques, specimen identification, and statistical analysis and interpretation of plant community and environmental data.

I have over a decades’ experience working as an environmental scientist and plant ecologist in Australia, including four years working within the NTG Flora and Fauna Division. In this capacity, I have undertaken and led research and monitoring programs across diverse communities and species, from threatened species in the Greater Darwin region, monitoring programs in the Top End, to Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems and vegetation in the arid zone.

I have published multiple scientific research papers and reports pertaining to plant functional ecology and fire ecology.

I led the terrestrial flora surveys for the Beetaloo SREBA, including the overall design of the survey, fieldwork and data collection, and analysis of results. I was lead author of the vegetation chapter of the SREBA Terrestrial Ecosystems report, consolidating and interpreting the data analysis and findings of our team.

Lauren Young, Fauna Scientist, DEPWS Northern Territory Government

I am an ecologist with a PhD in fauna ecology. I have experience in the design, implementation and analysis of fauna community and threatened species survey and research, and environmental impact assessment relating to terrestrial flora and fauna.

I have >10 years of experience undertaking fauna surveys and research, including four years within the NTG Flora and Fauna Division. I have worked across northern Australia, with a particular focus on central Australian ecosystems. I have written scientific publications and reports on fauna ecology, management and the assessment of impacts from development.

I was the project manager for the Terrestrial Ecosystems domain of the Beetaloo SREBA. This included the design, implementation and analysis of the terrestrial fauna component, and oversight of the implementation and reporting of the Terrestrial Ecosystems study. I am the lead author of the Terrestrial Ecosystems report.

Dr Michael Short, Senior Hydrogeologist Eco Logical Australia

Hydrogeology specialist Dr. Michael Short brings a multitude of talents to the SREBA project, from project leadership, design and planning, to analytics, to fieldwork coordination and lead authorship. Michael knows all things Territory water and brings over a decade of hydrogeology experience to the SREBA Water team.

After completing a doctoral degree in 2017 Michael worked as a hydrogeologist with NT’s Power and Water Corporation and then CDM Smith before commencing as a Senior Hydrogeologist with the Northern Territory Government in 2018.

Michael is an approachable expert who met with many stakeholders over the time of the SREBA water quality and quantity studies. He has applied a thorough and comprehensive approach to the large SREBA water quality and quantity study which addresses recommendations from the Inquiry, while meeting the interests and needs of stakeholders that live in the study area. After the SREBA program, Michael will continue to working in a consultative manner with the Northern Territory Government.

Peter Dostine, Aquatic Ecologist DEPWS Northern Territory Government

I am an ecologist with expertise in the ecology of streams, river and wetlands in northern Australia. I have specialist expertise in the taxonomy and identification of aquatic macroinvertebrates of the Top End, research to determine environmental water requirements of rivers, and the design of biological monitoring studies of aquatic ecosystems.

I have been involved in ecological studies of freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems of the Top End since 1983. I have led research programs on iconic Top End species including the Gouldian Finch, pig-nosed turtle, and barramundi.

I have authored and co-authored studies on the dietary ecology of wetland birds in the Alligator Rivers Region, the design of monitoring studies to detect mining impacts, and the environmental water needs of the Daly River. Recent stream survey work has led to two published studies describing nine new species of caddisfly.

I am working with colleagues to develop DNA-based methods for the assessment of aquatic biodiversity in northern Australia.

I led the aquatic ecosystems domain for SREBA, including survey design, the implementation of the field program, sampling processing, and data analysis and reporting. I provided species identifications for some major taxa, and worked with specialist taxonomists to provide identifications for other taxa.

Gillian Montgomery, Senior Consultant, Jacobs

I have expertise in population, health and wellbeing assessment and socio-economic assessment.

My experience is in population and health assessments primarily for road and rail project. I also have experience on Integrated Impact Assessments (IIA), specifically the Health and Equalities aspects. This has included developing health baselines for major projects, such as the London Ultra-Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ).

I supported the Population Health project within the Environmental Health study domain. I helped with the health literature review.

Jennifer Wade, Senior Associate Director Health Assessment, Jacobs

I specialise in environmental and human health assessment. I have a Master of Public Health degree, an MSc in Environmental Management and a BA (Hons) in Geography. I am a Full Member of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), a Chartered Environmentalist and an Associate of the Faculty of Public Health.

My experience includes Health and Social Impact Assessment work for a variety of infrastructure projects and plans in a variety of sectors. This includes public transport schemes, energy projects, flood risk management, local development plans and major highway projects. Most of my work is in the UK and Ireland. However, I have also worked on renewable energy projects in Saudi Arabia and was previously a development worker in rural Namibia, southern Africa and Tanzania in East Africa. My work in Namibia also included the delivery of HIV Awareness workshops, while in Tanzania I supported the development of an income generating fishery project for a school community.

Research assignments completed for my Master of Public Health degree included researching outbreaks of human cases of avian influenza in Thailand, health needs of Afghan refugees in Pakistan, measuring snake bite incidence in rural India, managing air pollution in the UK and the effect of 20mph speed limits on children’s independent mobility.

I worked on the Population Health project within the Environmental Health study domain. I worked on the interpretation of baseline health data from NT Health and developed the monitoring framework and recommendations.

Dr Nino Kharaishvili, Global Health Director, Health System Governance, Jacobs

I specialize in global health security, health policy, biological defence, infectious diseases, climate/health intersections, health system strengthening and resilience, monitoring and evaluation frameworks, pandemic preparedness and related frameworks.

I am an international health professional with working knowledge of 40 different countries across the former Soviet Union, Africa, Southeast Asia, and Middle East. I have over 20 years of international health consulting experience and have managed teams specializing in global health security, health system resilience, health policy, etc.

I have a breadth of experience in defining paths for health system sustainability and resilience, as well as designing and implementing various pandemic preparedness exercises aimed at improving public health emergency preparedness and response.  I have partnered with global health agencies to implement health system strengthening projects, assess national and multi-sectoral emergency response capacities, address resource challenges and constraints, and enhance communication strategies.

I received a Doctor of Medicine degree from Aieti Medical School and her Master’s in Business Administration from the College of Saint Rose. In addition, I am an ICAgile Certified Professional (ICP), Project Management Professional (PMP), and Change Management Advanced Practitioner (CMAP). I have been published in several peer-reviewed journals and am an experienced public speaker.