Dr Jordan Bailey PhD (Plant Pathology), BSc (Agriculture)
Jordan discovered the world of Herbaria in 2007 as an intern at the National Herbarium in Sydney. Her degree in Agricultural Science took her to postgraduate studies in plant pathology, biosecurity and diagnostics. She went on to work with herbaria in the USA at Purdue University and the United States Department of Agriculture, National Fungus Collections, focusing on specimen digitisation and taxonomy and systematics of fungal pathogens. She returned to Australia to take on the role of Curator at the NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) Plant Pathology & Mycology Herbarium in Orange in 2017 and was also appointed Director of the NSW DPI Orange Agricultural Institute in 2020, a role that aims to promote the work of our DPI scientists in Orange.
Lauren Drysdale
Lauren is an Acarology Technician at the NSW DPI Biosecurity Collections. She is a graduate of environmental science and post graduate museum studies.
Lauren works primarily in mite diagnostics to help growers and other members of the community manage issues to do with mites that may be pests or beneficial to plants. She also ensures the specimens are properly managed and preserved.
As well, Lauren has a keen interest in science communication and public outreach. She also has brought her hobby since childhood of photography into her work in high resolution imaging.
Dr Ian Wright MSc (Research), BSc (Agriculture),
Ian initially worked as a scientist with Sydney Water investigating the impact of human activities on creeks and rivers of the Sydney basin using freshwater invertebrates as biological indicators. In 2005 he received his PhD and in 2007 began employment at University of Western Sydney as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in freshwater ecology and water pollution. Ian has also established a consulting business, mainly helping local government with projects associated with urban water quality. Ian teaches students in the water quality and water management, environmental planning and environmental regulation areas. His research interests include freshwater ecology, water chemistry and water pollution.