Saras Windecker
email: windeckers@student.unimelb.edu.au
PhD, University of Melbourne, AUS, 2014-current
MSc Environmental Studies, University of Pennsylvania, USA, 2010 – 2012
BA Biology, University of Pennsylvania, USA, 2007 – 2012
Saras’ research interests include marine and freshwater aquatic ecology. Saras became interested in working on wetland systems after working for USAID on a wetland rehabilitation initiative for water-stressed Gaza Strip. Her PhD thesis (supervised by Peter Vesk at UMelb, Jane Catford at Univ. of Southhampton and Peter Macreadie) involves looking at the role of vegetation community composition and plant functional traits on carbon sequestration in freshwater wetlands, and how these relationships inform restoration. Her research aims to improve our understanding of the dynamics of carbon sequestration may contribute to better conservation of inland freshwater resources in Victoria.
Twitter: @smwindecker
LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/saras-windecker-7232a418
Website: saraswindecker.wordpress.com
Research Highlights:
- Research grant awarded, Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment, 2015, The impact of vegetation communities on carbon sequestration in wetlands
- Research grant awarded, The Lifeworks Foundation, 2015, Plant functional traits and ecosystem function: a mesocosm decomposition experiment
- Invited presenter in organised symposium, Society of Wetland Scientists’ annual meeting, 2015, Applying functional trait ecology to a meta-analysis of wetland restoration success
- Research grant awarded, University of Pennsylvania University Scholars, 2012, Mediterranean rocky shore biodiversity survey
