Dr Melissa Wartman

Melissa's research

Melissa completed her Bachelor of Science (Honours/Co-op) at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada in Marine Biology and Oceanography. Her studies covered a range of topics in marine biology, limnology and oceanography, while her cooperative job placements gave her hands-on work experience in these fields. For her honours thesis, she investigated the state of ocean acidification in a pristine fjord on the west coast of Newfoundland, Canada.

Once finished her BSc, she moved to Melbourne Australia, where she recently completed her PhD under John Beardall in the Algal Physiology Lab, at Monash University. Her thesis investigated how key environmental drivers associated with climate change affect phytoplankton growth, and physiology in the Gippsland Lakes, a eutrophic estuarine lake system. She was also a primary investigator on an interdisciplinary project with the Algal Physiology Lab, Monash Water Studies Centre and Monash Centre for Biospectroscopy, investigating the feasibility of utilizing FPA-FTIR as a tool for ecosystem and water quality monitoring. Through her academic and professional experience, she has developed a broad set of skills including experimental design, data analysis and field experience.

Melissa has taken on the role of project coordinator for the BRP Victorian Coastal Wetland Restoration Project. In this role Melissa will work alongside the various stakeholders and traditional owner groups, to ensure successful completion of ~600 ha of wetland restoration through on-ground works and the development of a wetland and conservation strategy.