Our Staff

Jenny is an accomplished marine scientist and research leader who has worked in fisheries and marine related areas all her life. She was the Principal Scientist on a joint WAMSI and WA Fisheries project in 2014, but officially joined the team in 2018 to work on delivering WA’s Blueprint for Marine Science 2050 priorities. As WAMSI’s Research Director, she leads collaborative science initiatives that address some of the most pressing challenges facing our oceans, including climate change, and provides strategic advice on the marine environment to the WA Government.

Jenny has extensive experience performing a broad range of high-level roles in stakeholder engagement, transdisciplinary knowledge brokering, marine research, management, and policy. Her experience has been in both Government and the private sector in Australia and overseas. A long-time advocate for equity in science, Jenny is a founding member of Women in Seafood Australasia and was inducted into the National Seafood Hall of Fame in 2019. She has received numerous awards and scholarships and has served on multiple national and local boards.

Jenny has been involved in climate change science since the early 1990s, beginning with coral and fish surveys in the Cook Islands as part of the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS). She continues to be a prominent voice on the global stage, speaking at international forums including the United Nations and the ‘Effects of Climate Change on the World’s Oceans Symposium’ in Norway.

At WAMSI, she recently led the development of the Science Plan for Shark Bay (Gathaagudu), a collaborative effort with Traditional Owners, scientists, and local stakeholders to respond to environmental pressures facing the World Heritage Area. Her most recent WAMSI project was a knowledge review and prioritisation survey of Exmouth Gulf. This comprehensive piece of work synthesised 500 studies spanning decades of published western science literature alongside the latest information from scientists currently working in the region. The publication also integrates traditional and local knowledge, and prioritises knowledge gaps for future research in the area.

Trish is the Executive Assistant to Dr Luke Twomey and supports the administration of WAMSI. She commenced with WAMSI in June 2013 and has extensive experience in administration, complex calendar management, project support, writing and communications, proofreading and editing, as well as event coordination.

Trish has worked across a broad range of industries. She is particularly interested in writing, editing and proofreading, communications, strategic development, innovation, change management, sustainability and occupational health and safety.

Alicia has worked with WAMSI over many years and formally joined the team as Research Manager in 2024. She is also part of the Location Data Management Services team to support quality control on data collection for the WAMSI Westport Marine Science Program.

Alicia has collaborated with other marine consultancies, government agencies, and leading marine research institutions on a range of projects involving strategic science planning, literature reviews, data management, risk assessments and conservation action planning.

Alicia completed a PhD in Marine Science at Murdoch University in 2015, prior to which was an Honours degree at Murdoch University and an undergraduate degree in Marine Biology and Zoology at the University of Western Australia. Her research specialised in zooplankton and biological oceanography, specifically krill of WA and the Indian Ocean.

Alicia is currently national president of the Australian Marine Sciences Association (AMSA).

Kelly Waples is an experienced marine scientist with the WA Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, but is seconded to WAMSI on a part time basis to act as a project manager for offset and government funded research programs led by WAMSI.

She has a strong background in marine conservation research, marine fauna and the application of science to wildlife management through government processes.

Kelly has been working with WAMSI since 2007, initially as a science coordinator for the Ningaloo Marine Research Program, and later through several research programs, assisting in program development, coordination and integration.

She has worked for State Government conservation agencies for over 25 developing her skills in science coordination, interpretation and application to wildlife management issues. Her research background is in marine mammal conservation and ecology along with integration of science and management.

Rhiannon is the Business Coordinator and has been working with WAMSI since 2024.

Rhiannon brings a wealth of experience in business, event coordination, and strategic operations. With a Business degree majoring in Marketing, Rhiannon began her career managing large-scale events, including the iconic Rottnest Channel Swim. She has since built extensive experience in small business management, strategic planning, process improvement, and fostering collaborative and positive team cultures.

Rhiannon thrives in dynamic environments and has a strong interest in business development, operational efficiency, stakeholder engagement, and creating spaces where people feel inspired, supported, and empowered. She is also passionate about the ocean and swims most days—drawing energy and clarity from the water that she brings into her professional life at WAMSI. Her approach combines big-picture thinking with attention to detail—and always a sense of fun along the way.

Cecile joined WAMSI in January 2023 to support strategic communication across the marine research programs. She has an extensive background in media and media advising, and worked as journalist for more than 20 years, reporting and producing for television, radio, print and online. She specialised in health and courts while working in television but has also covered general news.

Cecile moved into university communications before joining WAMSI and is enthusiastic about promoting marine science in the broader community. Cecile liaises with journalists, writes articles about aspects of marine science and produces videos to highlight work within the blue economy.

Anna-Lee joined WAMSI in 2021 and plays a central role in enhancing WAMSI’s visibility and impact. As Communications Manager, she supports the development and implementation of the engagement and communications strategy and communicates marine research outcomes from the WAMSI partnership.

Anna-Lee has a history in strategic communications, federal government and environmental policy and stakeholder engagement. She has worked closely with government agencies, research institutions and scientists, and industry leaders throughout her career, ensuring that scientific outcomes and policy developments are effectively communicated.

Charli Howard joined WAMSI in 2024 as Research Officer, contributing to literature reviews, reports, and science communication initiatives, such as WAMSI’s World Ocean Day event and the Thinking Blue program. She’s previously worked as a qualified educator and team lead, where she delivered a broad early learning curriculum with a focus on creating age-appropriate, neurodiversity-friendly experiences with a focus on marine and climate science. Charli is currently studying a Bachelor of Science (Coastal and Marine Science) and a Bachelor of Arts (International Relations).

She has experience with overseas travel as a recipient and representative of an Australian Government Scholarship Initiative (the New Colombo Plan) and will be travelling abroad with Curtin University to India and the Maldives to deliver a special project within schools and the wider community. She’s an experienced photographer, placing 2nd in the 2017 Capture Nature Joondalup photography competition, and has volunteered with DBCA on a week-long beach clean-up and data entry initiative in Jurien Bay.

Charli hopes to help make research more accessible and support WAMSI’s outreach efforts.

Luke is a highly experienced IT professional and a Data Specialist at the Pawsey Supercomputing Research Centre. He has worked at WAMSI since 2009 as Data Manager and is involved with the variety of state and national data management efforts.

Luke has more than 15 years of data management experience across State Government, academia and research infrastructure institutions.  A large part of this time has been spent helping marine researchers manage their data and working towards a sustainable data ecosystem.

Chris is an information management specialist applying his expertise to enable shared and sustainable environmental analytics and forecasting to streamline environmental assessment in WA.