Grace Smith

Hi there!
I'm a PhD researcher in ecological genetics, using genetic data to answer ecological questions. My thesis project looks at K'gari's peatland ecosystems, using eDNA metabarcoding, population genetics, and transcriptomics to document their invertebrate assemblages. I genuinely enjoy the challenge of distilling complex information and have exhibitions and awards in both visual and verbal communication. I tutor at the University of the Sunshine Coast in climate change, environmental economics, invertebrate biology, and evolution, and am involved in several science outreach and education programs for school, university, and community groups. I'm interested in the overlap between science, education, and communication.

Teaching Philosophy
Education should be accessible and engaging to people of all backgrounds. I focus on a down-to-earth, student-driven approach, fostering a space where students feel safe to engage, ask questions, and build confidence.

Education

  • 2023-2026
    Doctor of Philosophy (Ecology)
    University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD
    • Using biomolecular tools (eDNA, population genetics, transcriptomics) to answer ecological questions of inter- and intra-species diversity in the pyrophilic peatlands of southeast QLD.
    • Threatened species/national parks permit applications, organising and conducting intensive fieldwork, lab skills across a range of molecular techniques, statistics and graphing in R.
    • Recipient of the Rotary Postgraduate Scholarship for Excellence in Science Research.
    • People’s choice and overall winner of three-minute thesis (3MT) 2024; competed at the AsiaPacific finals.
    • International and local conference presentations including the Crustacean Society’s Summer Meeting, 2025; Australian and New Zealand Society for Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry, 2025; Voices of K’gari, 2025, University of the Sunshine Coast Research Showcase 2023, 24, & 25, and Australian Ecological Society, 2024 & 25.
    • Australian Ecological Society poster competition 1st place 2024 and 2nd place 2025.
  • 2022
    Bachelor of Science (Honours)
    University of the Sunshine Coast
    • Graduated with first class honours in biotechnology
    • Thesis published in open access Q1 journal.
    • Presented at the 2022 Australian Marine Science Association conference in Cairns.
  • 2021
    Bachelor of Animal Ecology
    University of the Sunshine Coast
    • Graduated with a cumulative GPA 6.4 and received University Commendation for Academic Excellence.
    • Recipient of the Vice Chancellors Merit Scholarship.

Relevant Work Experience

  • 2022 - current
    Sessional Teaching Staff
    University of the Sunshine Coast
    • Leading weekly seminars, tutorials, and laboratory classes for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation (ENS204) and Environmental Economics (ENS300).
    • Demonstrating weekly seminars, laboratory classes, and field trips for Invertebrate Biology and Ecology (ENS213) and Animal Form, Function and Evolution (ANM104).
    • Marking assignments and exams for all above courses.
  • 2022-2025
    Presenter
    MindSET-do (formerly MIE-lab)
    • Designing, developing and presenting various lessons on citizen science, ecology, brain health, chemistry and robotics at high schools between Gympie, Goomeri, and Brisbane.
    • Developing and running an 8-month STEM course homeschool students, covering 10 independent programs on robotics, citizen science, machine learning and more.
    • Running incursion days with students grades 2-5 at primary schools between Maryborough and Caboolture, teaching about coding, game design and jobs in STEM.
    • Delivering PD sessions and support training to other staff in the delivery of the programs I’ve developed or helped to develop, including programming, virtual reality and citizen science.
  • 2022 - current
    Graceponders Science Illustration Commissions
    • Commissions via environmental groups including the Ecological Society of Australia, Birdlife Australia, Oceanic Chondrichthyan Society, Frontier Labs, Wildlife SEQ and others.
    • Works exhibited in Wildflowering by Design local artist contribution, Caloundra Regional Art Gallery, celebrating the local diversity of wildflowers on the Sunshine Coast.
    • Leading science nature journalling workshops with community groups via Wild/flower Women.
    • Digital illustrations for two educational Instagram reels for Birdlife Australia the podcast Death by Birding, which received over 1.2 million and 71 thousand views respectively.
  • 2025
    HDR-based intern
    Noosa Parks, Environmental
    • Monitoring the recovery of Noosa heathland’s flora and aquatic macroinvertebrates following a managed burns.
    • Constructing a technical report to provide support for burning practices, as well as public artifacts (TBC) to increase support and awareness of the importance of conducting routine burns.
  • 2025
    Contractor
    Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee
    • Contract presenting for citizen science outreach program, Find a Frog in February
    • Presenting information sessions at rural primary schools and community groups in the Mary River region and running nighttime “Find a Frog” citizen science events.
  • 2020-2022
    Laboratory Technician
    University of the Sunshine Coast
    • Regular maintenance, feeding and cleaning of the freshwater aquaculture facilities at UniSC.
    • Training other staff to maintain the facilities.

Volunteer roles and presentations

  • Team Leader, Cooloola Bioblitz (2024-2025)
    • Delivering workshops on local fauna and identifying species during the annual Cooloola Bioblitz citizen science project.
  • Coolum Art Project (2025)
    • Developing animations and projection art to be used in local art exhibitions showcasing work by students at local high schools. This was a volunteer role creating stop-motion animations with students to use in the event.
  • Wildlife HQ Zoo (2021-2022)
    • Volunteer position preparing diets, photographing animal encounters and cleaning enclosures.
  • Other Guest Presentations
    • EcoLaboration (careers day)
    • Noosa Parks Association (Australian Crayfish and Where to Find Them)
    • Animal Ecology Seminar Series (the Molecular Biologist’s Guide to the Peat Swamps of SEQ)
    • 7 Local News, ABC Local Radio, and other local news outlets re. Threatened Species Week, Find a Frog in February citizen science program, local crayfish discoveries, etc.

Training and Certificates

  • Current First Aid, CPR and Mental Health First Aid
  • Working with Children (blue card)
  • PADI open water dive license
  • Open class C license and 4WD Certified
  • Certificate III in Outdoor Recreation
  • Certificate I in Business

Other Interests

  • Hobbies: I enjoy hiking, sewing, reading, and being the least intelligent person in the room.