I graduated with the University Medal from the University of Technology, Sydney with a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) and a Diploma of Engineering Practice.

My undergraduate engineering degree was completed under a Co-op scholarship jointly sponsored by Cardno and Ove Arup. In 1998 I spent 14 weeks at Ove Arup as a trainee engineer, rotating between acoustic, façade, civil and geotechnical engineering sections of the company.

From 1998 to 2001, I worked with McMillan Britton and Kell (now Cardno) as a trainee then graduate engineer. My duties included the development and implementation of a project planning and resource allocation management tool, management of a traffic study, site inspections, structural design and analysis, development of a computer program retaining wall design tool, web-site development, and report writing.

I have also been active in membership of the Institute of Engineers and more recently the Australian Water Association.

I was heading down more of a structural engineering path, but now have a more environmental focus, specifically sustainable and decentralised urban water management. My expertise is cross-disciplinary merging with social sciences. My research interest and developing expertise is in institutions and policy for innovative and more sustainable water management - e.g. decentralised water management.

My career goals are to maintain up-to-date experience in the Australian water industry and to use my experience and expertise in making a difference for the billions of the world's poor with much-needed water and sanitation.