Dr Aaron Davis has been part of TropWATER at James Cook University for 20 years, specialising in freshwater ecology and water quality research across northern Australia. His work focuses on understanding how human activities impact aquatic environments – particularly the sources, movement, and risks associated with pollutants like nutrients and pesticides in freshwater, estuarine, and marine ecosystems. Aaron is committed to identifying progressive agricultural practices that not only enhance ecosystem health but also ensure the long-term social and economic sustainability of farming communities. He regularly collaborates with farmers and regional stakeholders, tailoring practical solutions to improve water quality and ecosystem connectivity while supporting local livelihoods. His broader research interests include landscape ecology, wetland connectivity, fish ecology, and the effects of water quality contaminants on coastal freshwater and estuarine wetlands. Aaron also investigates evolutionary and ecological processes shaping Australia's unique fish populations, exploring how historical and environmental factors influence modern aquatic ecosystems. Aaron enjoys the hands-on aspects of his research, conducting fieldwork from sugarcane paddocks and tributaries to coastal wetlands and the Great Barrier Reef lagoon. He values the opportunity to work directly with sugarcane growers, combining science with effective communication to foster mutual understanding and positive environmental outcomes.

Molly McShane is a Science Communication Specialist at TropWATER, James Cook University, with more than 15 years’ experience in science writing and communication. Molly has built a strong background in writing, strategic communication, media and video production, with previous roles at the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and the Australian Institute of Marine Science. Molly holds a Master's degree focusing on environmental narratives, exploring how storytelling can either drive change, create negative barriers, or fuel misinformation. Her work has focused on making complex science more relatable and useful – helping people connect science to understand environmental challenges, build trust and cut through misinformation. Raised in Dalbeg, a small farming town in Queensland, Molly brings a personal understanding of the pressures farmers face. This connection drives her work translating water quality science into clear, practical messages that resonate with both scientists and those on the land. At TropWATER, Molly supports communication across research areas from dugongs, coral, water quality, mangroves, fish to wetlands. Lately, she’s been working more closely with the catchment-to-reef team.

Dr Stephen Lewis is a geochemist with 20 years of experience in water quality science at TropWATER, James Cook University, focusing on understanding how pollutants like sediments, nutrients, and pesticides move from land into waterways, and how freshwater, estuarine, and marine ecosystems can be impacted. His expertise extends to creating detailed, long-term records that illustrate environmental changes over thousands of years, including sediment and nutrient levels, land-use shifts, river flows, historical sea-level changes, and coral reef growth. Steve's research has taken him across diverse landscapes, from agricultural paddocks and urban waterways to the open waters of the Great Barrier Reef. He has worked with graziers, growers, governments, industry, and regional groups across Queensland to monitor, research, and communicate water quality science within the Great Barrier Reef catchment and the connected landscape. Projects such as the Paddock to Reef Program and the Reef Rescue Marine Monitoring Program have enabled Stephen to research water quality monitoring and modelling from paddocks to river mouths and coral reefs. Steve is a member of the Independant Science Panel for the Fitzroy Partnership for River Heath and also sits on the management committee for the Healthy Waters Partnership for the Dry Tropics providing advice and review on their annual regional report cards. He led two research question chapters as part of the 2022 Scientific Consensus Statement and has a role in the water quality targets and spatial management prioritisation components as part of the Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan. Steve's goal is to connect these diverse topics, telling a clear, comprehensive story about water quality and the landscape.

Dr Zoe Bainbridge is a water quality scientist at TropWATER, James Cook University. Zoe has two decades of experience dedicated to reef water quality science, specialising in identifying catchment sources of sediment, understanding sediment transport and dynamics, and bridging the connections between catchment areas and marine ecosystems. Her expertise helps pinpoint critical areas for sediment management, directly informing Australian and Queensland government programs aimed at improving water quality. Originally trained in the Burdekin catchment, Zoe's work includes developing sediment budgets, tracing sediment origins, and integrating catchment modelling with community-driven monitoring initiatives. Recently, this has involved collaboration with local communities through programs such as Landholders Driving Change (NQ Dry Tropics) and GBRF’s regional water quality initiatives, where she actively supports landholders, extension staff, and Natural Resource Management (NRM) groups with practical resources and clear communication on water quality science. Zoe currently collaborates closely with the Queensland Department of Environment and Science and CSIRO, and alongside TropWATER colleagues Aaron Davis and Steve Lewis, she continues to combine rigorous science with effective community engagement. Passionate about fostering a shared understanding of water quality issues across the Great Barrier Reef catchment, Zoe is committed to creating positive, collective outcomes for both local communities and marine environments.