The founding members of The Centre for Aquatic Research are a diverse range of qualified and experienced professionals in each of our focus areas; technology, applied sciences, education and invasive species. Read about them here:

Directors

Michael Porritt 
B.Sc.  PGDip (Marine Science)
Michael is a marine biologist who has had extensive experience working within the environmental consulting industry as well as a wide range of underwater inspection, surveying and monitoring experience.

Erin Wyatt
​B.Sc.(Hons)  Grad.Dip.Ed.
Erin is an environmental scientist and educator experienced in surveying marine megafauna, monitoring freshwater ecosystem health and delivering effective communications for a diverse clientele within the environmental consulting and education industries.

Sara Peters Hughes
B.Sc.  M.Env.Sc.
Sara is an experienced aquatic scientist with ten years of experience within the water industry, and over a decade of experience prior in the marine industry as an aquarist and interpretive scientist.

Members

Dr. Ashley Coutts
​B.Sc.   Ph.D.

Rebecca Davis
​B.Sc.
Rebecca is a marine biologist specialising in elasmobranchs and marine conservation. She has extensive experience in creating and facilitating marine educational programs, as well as coral reef surveying.

Dr. Christine Buckius
​B.Sc.  Ph.D.
Christine is a marine biologist who specialises in marine invertebrates, ecosystem management and environmental education. She has over 15 years of experience in the aquatic education industry and is passionate about marine conservation and sustainability.
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Dr. Daryl McPhee
​B.Sc.   Ph.D.
Daryl is Associate Professor of Environmental Science at Bond University. He was previously a Director of the Commonwealth Government’s Fisheries Research and Development Corporation. He has undertaken flora and fauna assessments in a variety of coastal habitats include coastal dunes, mangroves, seagrass and coral reefs; and economic assessments of coastal fisheries.