Steph Gardner, PhD

What’s the work that you do?

My research spans tropical and temperate reef ecosystems, with a range of organisms such as corals, algae and fish gastrointestinal tracts, with the common theme of marine microbial ecology. My research as a microbial ecologist involves looking at bacteria to understand their role in health and function under a changing climate. I’m working in the Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future (SAEF) program, an Antarctic research program, funded by the Australian Research Council. SAEF’s aims are to understand the changes taking place across the Antarctic region – to its climate and its biodiversity – and develop innovative ways to forecast, mitigate and manage these changes. My role is to characterise the microbial diversity in Antarctica.

What keeps you going?

I’m so grateful that I can honestly say I love my work! I’ve been so fortunate to have travelled extensively for work across tropical, temperate and polar regions. But in my short career, I’ve already seen declining environmental conditions impacting vulnerable ecosystems, and I’m driven to study and understand these so we are better equipped to protect them. I love working in a diverse team with people from different backgrounds, career stages, expertise, and find it really fulfilling working together towards a common goal.

What’s your message to the world?

My ultimate personal and professional dream is to raise awareness for and diagnose the problems facing our natural world in order to safeguard these vulnerable ecosystems so that future generations can enjoy them as we’ve been so fortunate to. I encourage you to stay curious, ask questions, be involved, do your own research, and just say yes to opportunities as they arise – you never know where they may lead you – that’s how I’ve ended up going to Antarctica!