Melanie’s primary goal as a teacher is to share her fascination for biology with others, both within and beyond the university. To this effect, she uses a variety of dynamic teaching strategies to impart the fundamental information, maximize class participation and generate curiosity and excitement about the natural world. As a mentor and supervisor, Melanie helps students to work collaboratively and retain a broad perspective of their subjects. She usually teaches conservation biology, avian biology and behavioural ecology as part of the Bachelor of Environmental Science Degree and Graduate Diploma/Certificate in Ornithology. She also leads the international program to Nepal which aims at teaching CSU students about the sustainable use of natural resources and the influence of human traditions and religions on conservation practices.

Melanie is an ecologist and conservation biologist. Her main research aim is to bridge the gap between the scientific knowledge gained through research and the application of this knowledge to solve conservation problems. Over the past 10 years, Melanie’s research has focused on the conservation of threatened island birds, the ecology, evolution and disease detection in seabirds, and the effects of feral ungulates on terrestrial and wetland ecosystems. Melanie has been successful in receiving grants for her research from various organizations, including the Australian Research Council (ARC), the Hermon Slade Foundation, the Australia and Pacific Science Foundation and WIRES. She is also an Associate Editor of the journal Austral Ecology.