MsKaylah Gawne

I commenced my PhD in 2023 after receiving a Deakin University Women in STEAM HDR scholarship. I developed an interest in seaweed during my undergraduate course which was confirmed after completing an Honours research project involving cultivating golden kelp. Continuing with kelp while broadening my research area, my PhD project focuses on developing a future-proofing strategy to inform the management, restoration and conservation of golden kelp, Ecklonia radiata, in Victoria.

Throughout Honours, I was employed as a research assistant to conduct culture maintenance and assist with field collections on a Deakin University project funded by Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) that was part of a large, multidisciplinary team of scientists and managers.

After completing Honours, my cultivation expertise also translated to further research assistant work at Deakin University’s Queenscliff Marine Science Centre where I worked on an industry research project, looking at experimental cultivation trials to develop onshore cultivation of the red seaweed, Asparagopsis armata, before commencing my postgraduate studies.

I hope that my research can shine a positive light on the future of kelp populations.