Experience: John is one of the industry’s most highly respected coastal and riverine ecologists.  He has well-developed organisational and team building skills, as well as practical field and laboratory expertise, and a wealth of experience working on waterways.  Using these skills, John has undertaken a diverse variety of projects, including a large number relating to major coastal development projects.  John’s ‘hallmark’ is in the identification of key issues and the delivery of practical advice based on a sound appreciation of the project’s overall objectives and constraints.

Areas of Expertise: Aquatic Environmental Assessment and Management, and Fisheries Science.

Experience: Carol has extensive experience working with the aquatic and wetland communities of northern and eastern Australia, variously as researcher, resource manager and consultant.  Carol now is the project director for many of frc environmental’s projects, providing quality control, guidance and support for our ecologists.

Areas of Expertise: Aquatic Ecology, Wetland Rehabilitation and Monitoring Program Design.

Experience: Lauren Thorburn has an impressive track record in all aspects of her work including survey design, fieldwork, laboratory work, data analysis, reporting and project management.  Coming to frc environmental from the DERM’s Coastal Planning Unit, Lauren has a valuable breadth of experience covering both research and management.  She has worked throughout Australia, and specifically on large infrastructure projects.  As well as being a ‘hands on’ ecologist, Lauren is also the Manager of Scientific Services at frc environmental.

Areas of Expertise: Aquatic Environmental Assessment and Management, Water and Sediment Quality, Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Acid Sulfate Soils.

Experience: Rachel is a business professional with over twenty years’ experience in successful administration, communication and relationship management. Rachel has a proven track record in interpersonal and contract negotiations, and her open and professional manner enables her to provide excellent support and feedback to the principals, ecologists, staff and clients.

Areas of Expertise: Business Development, Strategy Development, Relationship Management, Commercial Contract Management.

Experience: Kylie has extensive field sampling experience in a wide range of environments and conditions.  She has gathered baseline data for many freshwater ecological and biological studies.  Kylie is also skilled in project management, including managing teams, liaising with stakeholders, considering workplace health and safety issues and obtaining the necessary permits to conduct research.  Kylie's field experience includes liaising with landowners, AUSRIVAS assessments, and sample collection and transportation.

Areas of Expertise: Macroinvertebrate Sampling, Taxonomy and Ecology (AUSRIVAS accredited), Assessment of Aquatic Environments (AUSRIVAS accredited and electrofishing certification), Project Organisation and Management.

Experience: Nirvana is a scientist with a broad range of skills and experience. Coming to frc environmental from working as a Senior Scientist with ALS Water Resources Group (formerly Ecowise Environmental), Nirvana has worked on numerous projects throughout Australia.  With extensive experience in the laboratory, field, and reporting Nirvana brings a strong skill set to each project she works on.

Areas of Expertise: Aquatic Ecosystem Health, Environmental Flows. AUSRIVAS Accredited.

Experience: Liz has a broad range of experience in research and management, with skills in experimental design, fieldwork, data analysis and reporting. Coming to frc environmental from working as an environmental consultant in Hong Kong, Liz has worked on numerous projects, from Australia and Asia, and worked directly with government and industry stakeholders.  Having only recently joined frc environmental , she was thrown in the ‘deep end’ of fieldwork and reporting, and has already proven to be an excellent addition to our team.

Areas of Expertise: Marine and Estuarine Environments, Biogeochemistry, Food Webs and Nutrient Cycling, Invasive Species Management, Experimental Design and Analysis, and Health and Safety.

Experience: Drew came to frc environmental from the Marine Science Faculty of the University of the Sunshine Coast and DPI&F,  he has worked extensively along the coastline of south east Queensland and has a detailed understanding of coastal processes and ecology.

Areas of Expertise: Marine Field Surveys, Statistical Analysis and Taxonomy.

Experience: Tom has a broad range of skills and experience.  Coming to frc environmental from a background in the SCUBA industry, Tom accumulated skills in logistics, equipment maintenance and people management as well as bringing his underwater expertise.  More recently he has worked in the waterways of western Queensland and in the coastal waters of south east, central and north Queensland.

Areas of Expertise: Field Surveys, Equipment Management and Diving. AUSRIVAS Accredited.

Experience: Melissa is a highly motivated scientist with a passion for her work. Joining our team at frc environmental from working as a Marine Biologist in Antarctica, Melissa has worked on projects throughout Australia and internationally.  With extensive experience in laboratory, research and field, Melissa brings skill and dedication to each project she works on.

Areas of Expertise: Experimental Design in Coral Reef, Estuarine and Antarctic Environments. Data Collection on Snorkel and SCUBA, GPS Tracking and Recording (on boat and land).  Invertebrate Identification and Handling. Spectrometer Analysis and Maintenance of Salt Water Aquaria.

Experience: Charlotte is a focused scientist with experience in coastal and freshwater environments.  She is skilled in laboratory sample processing and field data collection.   With a background in both ecology and marine studies, Charlotte has a broad understanding of environmental processes and aquatic ecosystems.

Areas of Expertise: Freshwater and Marine Field Sampling, Data Entry, Laboratory Sample Processing and Report Organisation and Formatting.

Experience: Cameron is a Scientific Support Officer with skills specialising in laboratory processing and coordination.  Coming to frc environmental from an aquaculture background, he is experienced in both research and laboratory procedures. He is particularly skilled in AUSRIVAS macroinvertebrate processing and identification, and data organisation.

Areas of Expertise: Macroinvertebrate Assessment and Data Organisation.

Experience: Tamara has extensive experience managing busy workplace environments and working in administration and pairs excellent organisation with strong people skills. She is highly efficient and a detailed planner and this is what makes her the 'glue' of our operation.

Areas of Expertise: Office Management, Event Coordination, Office Organisation.

Experience: Melissa is an experienced administrator. She has strong organisational skills, an eye for detail and well developed task coordination. Melissa has been recognised for her enthusiastic approach to undertaking jobs that are out of her comfort zone and she always does it with a smile.

Areas of Expertise: Administration, Organisation, Coordination.

Experience: Emma has experience in technical editing and she has worked as an editor in various fields, including aviation and psychology. She is passionate about all to do with the English language. Emma enjoys guiding her colleagues to have a better understanding of the finer details of grammar, punctuation and formatting, which gives frc environmental its professional edge.

Areas of Expertise: Technical Writing for a wide range of readership, Technical Editing, and Mentoring of Technical Writers.

Sally Dunlop

Personal Assistant to            Dr John Thorogood

Experience: Sally is a highly experienced senior personal assistant, with previous roles in office management, event coordination and the training and coaching of administrative staff. Sally prides herself on her efficient, organised and professional approach to the task at hand.

Areas of Expertise: Senior-level Personal Assistant, Event Coordination and Development of Processes and Procedures.

Marnie Lewis

Bookkeeper

Experience: Marnie has over ten years of extensive experience with all facets of bookkeeping and meeting financial management obligations for businesses in an efficient and timely manner.  Marnie prides herself with attention to detail and her highly organised approach ensures the integrity of financial reports provided to management.

Areas of Expertise: Financial Co-ordination and Streamlining of Accounting and Financial Systems.

frc environmental's team of ecologists, environmental scientists and business management  offer expertise in areas that include: water quality, primary productivity, trophic ecology, nutrient tracing using stable isotopes, freshwater macro-invertebrates, phytoplankton and the macro-benthic invertebrate fauna of estuarine and coastal soft sediments.