Melissa Houghton

Melissa Houghton has worked on numerous pest-eradication programs on islands around Tasmania, most notably in the sub-Antarctic for the Macquarie Island Pest Eradication project as a dog handler. She has a keen interest in eradication programs and biosecurity, with a particular focus on invertebrates.

Melissa's PhD project investigates the use of invertebrates as bioindicators of ecosystem change following conservation action on islands. Her research will inform meaningful and efficient ecosystem monitoring on islands. She will also review the impacts of non-native invertebrates on sub-Antarctic ecosystems and identify the invasion risk of taxa being introduced to the region - informing targeted biosecurity.