Meet Our Committee

President

Kantine Liu

Hello! I am a PhD student at the University of Adelaide researching on climate change impacts on temporary freshwater rock pools. BSSA is a great community to meet people who are passionate for nature and conservation. I look forward to seeing our members at our events, talks and nature walks!

Vice President

Jacob Maher

Hey, I'm a PhD candidate studying the online trade of invasive plants. I have a passion for learning about the natural world and how people interact with it. What I really like about the BSSA is collaborating on projects to benefit nature in SA and beyond!

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Maisie Byrne

Secretary

Excited to help out and be more involved with the BSSA, I look forward to meeting like minded people and gaining more conservation related experiences. Currently, I am an undergraduate studying wildlife conservation biology, expecting to graduate mid this year. :)

Tyler Dornan

Treasurer

PhD candidate studying sawfish in Western Australia at the UoA. Other interests include zooplankton and tree rings! I'm excited about the year and to chat about research, so email me if you're interested!

Events and Partnerships Officers

Tayla Allison

Hi there! I'm Tayla. I completed a Bachelor of Science/Zoology from Western Sydney University, now completing my honours at the University of Adelaide. I'm researching the status of illegal sea snake trade in Vietnam. I am interested in human-animal conflict and how best to support communities, whilst ensuring the sustainable future of our flora and fauna. When I'm not researching, I work professionally in the Diversity and Inclusion space, supporting Women in STEM programs for the faculty of SET at the University of Adelaide.

Volunteer Opportunities Coordinators

Juliet Bodycomb

Juliet Bodycomb is a biodiversity and conservation student at Flinders University and science writer for the Adelaide Park Lands Association and the Biological Society of South Australia. She has an academic background in Anthropology (Hons, 1st) and is the recipient of the Australian Government's prestigious New Colombo Plan Scholarship, which will see her moving to Fiji in 2024 to continue her studies and intern for numerous environmental organisations. She is passionate about the intersections between human culture and conservation biology, such as how population dynamics and animal behaviour are affected by anthropogenic climate change. In her free time, Juliet enjoys hiking, reading, and adventuring with her two border collies.

​Jenny D'Arcy

Zoë Beer

I'm an honours student looking at the accuracy of modelling used to predict abundance and distribution of threatened mallee birds in Victoria. I joined the BSSA for the beer and the t-shirt... I help do the newsletters and I love being a part of such an awesome young conservationist group.

George Vu

Podcast Team

Adam Toomes

I'm Adam, yet another former president who couldn't say goodbye to the BSSA. I still find this community a great place to be and it is very rewarding to watch new people get engaged and develop skills. These days I just help out with general tasks and make sure that things are moving along with our podcast (so look out for more episodes this year).

Elisabeth Williamson

  Kiri Marker

I'm a third-year PhD student investigating the role and acquisition of bacteria in the gut of native bees. In 2022, I joined the BSSA committee to be part of the wonderful community of students and researchers working in the field of environmental science. With a deep love for engaging conversations about biology, I've taken on a role in assisting with the podcast series.

Hi there! I'm a science communicator helping organisations tell meaningful stories about environmental research. I'm just here to be part of SA's amazing young ecologist community!

Social Media Team

Charlie Lassaline

Hi, I’m Charlie! I’m currently a research assistant at the University of Adelaide, monitoring and analysing wildlife trade on the dark web. In 2020 I completed a BSc in Zoology at Deakin in Geelong, and in 2021 did my honours in Ecology at Adelaide Uni. While living in Geelong I participated in regular weed removal and habitat restoration programs with Conservation volunteers Victoria, and now hope to start getting back into that kind of fieldwork in South Australia! I joined the BSSA to meet like minded people, and for the vast range of fieldwork opportunities and fun events the society organises each year. This year I’m looking forward to spending lots of time outdoors, getting my hands dirty, and restoring natural environments across our beautiful Adelaide region.

Lisa Wood

​​Jasmin Broadbridge

Hello! I'm a Wildlife Conservation Biology graduate at the University of Adelaide. In 2023, I will be continuing as an honours student focusing on the Wildlife Trade of Toucans and Hornbills across Asia, Africa and North America. In 2019, I made the choice to pursue my love for conservation and the environment - I've never looked back!

General Committee

Alex Chu

Website, Membership Officer & TAFE SA Rep

Hello! I’m Alex. I am studying a Diploma of Conservation and Ecosystem Management at TAFE SA. Plants are my horticultural happy pill. I spend my free time botanising the local flora while meandering around the hills and volunteering with bush-care groups. I love getting my biophilic intervention from the natural world and if I could share just one percent of the joy it gives me, I’ll be happy.

Daniel Chilton

Hi I'm Daniel and I'm currently a PhD candidate at the University of Adelaide studying wind-induced hydrodynamic effects on water and sediment quality and how it may be impacting the distribution of seagrass in the Coorong, South Australia. My journey towards becoming interested in environmental science began in 2017 completing a Diploma of Conservation and Land Management at TAFE SA then continuing the studies with a Bachelor of Science specialising in WIldlife Conservation Biology, then onto my current degree. I have been interested in the outdoors and the environment from a young age including lots of hiking and camping around Australia and in Europe. This is my fifth year on the BSSA committee and I'm enjoying being a part of a group of like-minded people with similar concerns for our environment.

Chris Keneally

Hi! I'm a former BSSA President and PhD candidate, studying microbial ecology at UoA. I've really enjoyed my time in the BSSA and would recommend membership (or applying to the committee) to anyone interested in SA conservation, landcare, or related research fields. I'm deep into writing up my PhD research now, so may not be present at all events, but please say hello if you see me around (despite the large bags under my eyes and vacant stare)!

Sebastian Chekunov

Hi, I'm a PhD student at the University of Adelaide researching the international trade of Australian reptiles. I'm a keen herpetologist with an interest in ecology and conservation, and I find that the BSSA is a great way to connect with a wide range of people who have a similar passion for nature.

Emily Hoskin

Hi! I'm an undergraduate student in my final year studying a Bachelor of Marine and Wildlife Conservation Biology, I am a new committee memeber hoping to get more involved in the ecological scene in our state and meet like-minded people!

Eilish Thomas

Nathan Deliveyne

Thanks to the past committee for their contribution to the society!

2021  COMMITTEE 
President – Adam Toomes
Vice President – Eilish Thomas
Secretary - Megan Jenssen
Treasurer - Kantine Liu
Membership Officer - Kantine Liu
Website Officer - Chris Keneally
Podcast Host - Kiri Marker
Donations/Quiz Coordinator - Bailie Trenwith
Publicity Officer - Daniel Chilton
Communications Officer - Katie Hill
UniSA Rep - Bradley Reynolds
Undergrad rep Adelaide Uni - Eliza Casey
Photography Officer - Darcy Whittaker
Volunteer Officer - Brittany Norris
Volunteer Officer - Jenny D'Arcy
General Committee - Tyler Dornan
General Committee - Brock Hedges
General Committee -Collette Blyth
General Committee -Lisa Wood
General Committee - Charlie Lassaline
General Committee - Daniel Markos

2020  COMMITTEE 
President – Adam Toomes
Vice President – Collete Blyth
Secretary - Nicole Foster
Treasurer - Eilish Thomas
Membership Officer - Skye Jennner
Website Officer - Christopher Jolly
Podcast Host - Bradley Bianco
Donations/Quiz Coordinator - Bailie Trenwith
Donations Officer - Islah Day
Donations Officer - Nicola Praschifka
Publicity Officer - Daniel Chilton
Communications Officer - Katie Hill
UniSA Rep - Bradley Reynolds
Undergrad rep Adelaide Uni - Megan Jenssen
Photography Officer - Darcy Whittaker
Volunteer Officer - Kantine Liu
General Committee - Lucy Wood
General Committee - Tyler Dornan
General Committee - Daniel Markos

2018  COMMITTEE 
President – Hayley Merigot
Vice President – James Trezise
Secretary – Peri Stenhouse
Treasurer – Nick Kalfas
Membership Officer – Peri Stenhouse
Publicity Officer – Matt Bowie
Website Officer – Tessa Roberts 
Social Media Officer – Ned Piscioneri
Volunteer Ops Officer – Claire Hartvigsen-Power
Tafe SA Rep – VACANT
Rep Flinders Uni -  Ben Parslow
Honours Rep – Riley Genders
Undergrad rep Adelaide Uni - Brad Bianco
General Committee - Kimberly McCallum
General Committee - Vicki Thomson
General Committee (International) - Mikey Dyer

2017  COMMITTEE 
President – Grace Hodder
Vice President – Hayley Merigot
Secretary – Victoria McCarron
Treasurer – Nick Kalfas
Membership Officer – Peri Stenhouse
Social Media Officer – Natalie Aboustate
Website Officer – Tessa Roberts 
Co-Publicity Officer – Matt Bowie
Co-Publicity Officer – James Trezise
Newsletter Officer – Hannah Bannister
Tafe SA Rep – VACANT
Rep Flinders Uni -  Ben Parslow
Undergrad rep Uni SA –  Samantha Donnell
Undergrad rep Adelaide Uni- Amelia Spike Barrow
Honours Rep – VACANT
General Committee - Kimberly McCallum
General Committee - Vicki Thomson
General Committee - Sanjina Upadhyay
General Committee (International) - Mikey Dyer

2016  COMMITTEE
President – Tom Hunt 
Vice President – Grace Hodder 
Secretary – Sanjina Upadhyay 
Treasurer – Hayley Merigot 
Membership Officer – Skye Jenner 
Publicity Officer – Melissa Jensen 
Publicity Officer – Louise Moore 
Website Officer – Tessa Roberts 
Social Media Officer – Vicki Thompson 
Newsletter Officer – Kimberly McCallum 
Tafe SA Rep – Jarryd Campbell 
Undergrad rep Flinders Uni -  
Undergrad rep Uni SA – Michael Dyer 
Communications Officer Natalie Aboustate
Undergrad rep Adelaide Uni- Karl Asmussen 
Honours Rep – Sarah Lena-Reinhold