I am investigating the role of dispersers in moving seeds of non-native fruiting plants from residential gardens into native habitat patches in urban and peri-urban Auckland, and exploring how weeds spread across the landscape. I’m also examining whether certain landscape features, such as perch trees, attract seed depositions — and if so, whether this could be developed into a novel weed surveillance tool for early detection of emerging weeds.

I completed my undergraduate and master’s studies in Japan, where I focused on how forests and individual plants respond to disturbance, such as volcanic eruptions and high solar radiation.

When I came to New Zealand, I was blown away by its indigenous biodiversity. I want to contribute to the mahi of protecting it through this research and in everything I do.