I trained as a Marine Scientist at James Cook University in Townsville, graduating with honours in 1997. Since then I have worked in various capacities linked to research and/or wildlife, both terrestrial and aquatic. In 2008 I became the Senior Aquarist at the Territory Wildlife Park where I led research and conservation programs for marine turtles and Largetooth Sawfish. I promoted sustainability of the aquarium by improving animal longevity and instigating breeding programs, including significant success at propagating hard corals. In July 2012 I was awarded leave from the Northern Territory Government to undertake a PhD at Charles Darwin University, expanding on the Largetooth Sawfish research component of my work. This doctoral research aims to support the management of threatened elasmobranchs by establishing innovative ways to measure the impacts and benefits of harvesting them for display in public aquaria.