Barrie Forrest - Principal/Senior Scientist

BSc Zoology, MSc (1st Class Hons) Env. Science and Zoology, PhD Marine Biology

Barrie has over 30 years multidisciplinary experience in aquatic and environmental sciences, and specialist expertise in marine biosecurity and biofouling. His work history includes local government and industry, and a career as a senior scientist at Cawthron Institute. He has a practical approach to environmental management, underpinned by strong technical and science skills.

He has had various science advisory and expert witness roles, including marine biosecurity, and the ecological effects of aquaculture and other human activities. Barrie’s diverse background and skills make him uniquely placed to understand the challenges that face resource management agencies and the stakeholders affected by their decisions.

Leigh Stevens - Principal/Senior Scientist

BA Psychology, MSc (1st Class Hons) Env. Science and Zoology, PhD Candidate Env. Sciences

Leigh has over 30 years multidisciplinary regulatory, research and consulting experience, specialising in estuarine ecology. He has managed and undertaken 400+ commercial marine and freshwater projects, sampled and assessed 350+ estuaries throughout New Zealand, and is an internationally recognised expert in oil spill response and impacts.

He is a key contributor to national estuary policy development, sampling protocols and assessment tools, with a proven track record of providing independent, unbiased expert ecological advice and effective liaison with stakeholders, councils, industry, and government agencies. He has specialist skills in GIS-based habitat mapping, environmental monitoring, estuarine restoration, ecological risk assessment, and science communication.

Keryn Roberts - Senior Scientist

Bachelor of Environmental Science 1st Class Hons, PhD Biogeochemistry

Keryn joined Salt Ecology as a Senior Scientist in 2020, following 8 years prior experience at Monash University (Australia) and 3 years at Southland Regional Council. Keryn is a biogeochemist with a background in both research and the government sector, working across a number of environments including estuaries, lakes, rivers and wetlands. Her specialist area includes factors that influence water quality and sediment chemistry. Keryn has published in international scientific journals and has produced multiple council and consulting reports across both the freshwater and coastal domains.

Hayden Rabel - Data Scientist

BSc Mathematics and Statistics, MSc Statistics 1st Class Hons

Hayden has a diverse background in applied math and software development with a keen interest in environmental applications. He has spent the last nine years honing his skills as a Statistician and Software Engineer, enabling him to create rich and engaging data products underpinned by rigorous statistical methods. This has included interactive web applications and data visualisations, specialised statistical modelling (spatial, machine-learning, species-distribution, Bayesian, time-series, etc.) and optimised tool development for both government and non-government/private agencies in New Zealand and internationally.

Sorrel O’Connell-Milne - Coastal Scientist

BAppSci (Hons) Aquaculture and Fisheries, MSc Marine Science (1st Class Hons/Distinction)

Sorrel is an environmental scientist with a research background investigating anthropogenic impacts on coastal resources and the connectivity between catchment and coasts. She has experience in a wide range of estuarine and coastal sampling and survey techniques, including seagrass, saltmarsh, and intertidal and subtidal rocky reef habitats. Her client focused work is underpinned by previous roles as a coastal scientist at Southland Regional Council, Research Fellow at the University of Otago, and private sector ecological consulting undertaking marine biosecurity plans and coastal impact assessments. Sorrel is an experienced scientific diver with over 300 dives, and has held a scientific certificate of competency since 2018.

Megan Southwick - GIS Mapping & Spatial Data Analyst

BSc Geological Sciences, MSc Geological Sciences

Megan provides high level of GIS expertise with a strong focus on data management and automation and optimisation of work streams. She is experienced in spatial analysis, imagery manipulation, map production, and story map outputs.

Megan has over 20 years post-graduate experience developing GIS solutions within a wide range of fields including ecology, carbon forestry, land management and development, regional planning, geotechnical consulting, mining and reclamation.

Thomas Scott-Simmonds - GIS Mapping, Dive and Vessel Support (TC Environmental)

Bachelor of Applied Science, current MSc student

TC Environmental provide specialist survey, monitoring and research services. Thomas specialises in scientific diving (ADAS accredited SCUBA diver), boat work (MNZ commercial skipper), GIS habitat mapping and ecological and biosecurity assessments, all supported by a diverse work background in freshwater fishery management, lake surveys, marine reserve monitoring, and aquaculture assessments.

Courtney Rayes - Technical Reporting and Dive Support (TC Environmental)

Bachelor of Applied Science, MSc Biological Sciences

TC Environmental provide specialist survey, monitoring and research services. Courtney is an ADAS accredited SCUBA diver with a diverse background in marine research, consulting and science communication including annual marine guiding & lecturing throughout Melanesia, Russia and New Zealand. Her research background was in molecular techniques to investigate invasive marine species, and recent work focus has been centred around marine reserve monitoring, significant marine site assessments, aquaculture consenting, and invasive species management.

Sally O’Neill - Macroinvertebrate team leader, Field and Editorial Support

BA, BHSc

Sally has been providing field and editorial support for over 17 years and manages our team of part-time laboratory and field assistants. Equally at home in the lab sorting macroinvertebrates, up to her knees in mud collecting samples, logging field data, or editing reports, Sally’s extensive knowledge of the business means she can turn her hands to most things.