Maxine is a Professor in the Faculty of Science and Technology specialising in Tropical Biosecurity research. Maxine is a molecular biologist and her research experience spans primary industry and environmental disciplines with a focus on using genomics tools for improving biosecurity and biodiversity outcomes. Her recent projects include developing genomic and environmental DNA methods for early surveillance of exotic plant pests and diseases and for community biodiversity monitoring in freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems.

Maxine holds degrees in Business and Science and she has a PhD in Genetics. Maxine's PhD research on new molecular DNA tools for monitoring biodiversity and invasive species won an Australian Museum Eureka Prize. Since moving to the NT in 2018, Maxine’s roles have included managing plant biosecurity diagnostics and RD&E projects for the NT Government and providing leadership in business and collaborative research development as a Northern Australian Science Consultant at CSIRO. Maxine has a track record of building collaborative research capability and attracting competitive research funding as an individual researcher (ARC DECRA) as well as on behalf of organisations. 

Maxine’s main research interests include:

• Using genomic approaches to investigate population structure and gene flow of disease vectors to understand disease entry and spread in northern Australia.
• Improving environmental and biosecurity surveillance and monitoring using environmental DNA
• Understanding the risk of endemic insects and plants as potential vectors and hosts for exotic diseases.
• Genomic approaches for improved diagnostics and taxonomy