About us.

Debbie (Te Rarawa; Ngāti Kahu) recently completed a Master of Science in Environmental Management on the motivations, processes, engagement, and outcomes of citizen science in different cultural contexts. She is actively involved in the Tuākana Programme in the School of Environment where promotes Māori and Pasifika success in tertiary science education.

Melanie (she/her) trained in Soil Science and Agronomy. Her research looks at the occurrence and fate of contaminants in the environment. She is particularly interested in understanding the chemistry side of things, how different contaminants behave in different environment and whether this can be related to what people are exposed to. Melanie is a keen beginner gardener.

Nargiss (she/her) is a researcher with a passion for exploring the intersection of chemistry and environmental science, specifically delving into anthropogenic contaminants and sustainability. In June 2024, she started her PhD in Environmental Science under Melanie Kah & Lokesh Padhye. Nargiss also enjoys tramping and looking after her extensive house plant collection!

Nicole (she/her) is Soilsafe’s pXRF technician, as well as undertaking her doctoral research in Environmental Science looking at tara iti, Aotearoa’s most endangered bird species. Nicole loves spending time in the great outdoors whether it’s out in the ngahere or in her backyard. She is constantly tending or adding to her flat garden and is particularly proud of her dahlias over this last summer.

Adam (he/him) was part of the original team to launch Soilsafe, and he is a specialist in the chemistry of the deep Earth, volcanoes and of soil. His research interests follow how metals pass from deep in the Earth into the rock, soil and water we interact with every day and how this changes our environment and effects human health.  Adam enjoys spending time in the hills and trying to coax seedlings to grow in his native garden at home.

Rose (she/her) was part of the original team to launch Soilsafe and a Senior Geologist at GNS Science until 2024. Rose’s research in the soil space (she’s a hard-rock geologist!) have largely involved undertaking national, regional and urban soil geochemical surveys throughout Aotearoa. She is particularly interested in identifying and tracing human impacts on soil chemistry, and the potential long-term effects of soil contamination on human health. Rose spends all her spare time with her young family exploring the outdoors, and cooking food grown from her garden.

Georgia’s (she/her) academic training is in Economics and Human Geography, she completed her Masters on Māori Economies and Māori Food Sovereignty in 2019. She has supported Soilsafe Aotearoa’s work with communities, whilst undertaking a PhD on Māori economies.  

After Cody (he/him) graduated with a geography degree from Singapore, he undertook his Master of Environmental Science in Auckland in 2021, working on the geochemical signature of Auckland, alongside Soilsafe Aotearoa. Complementing his research he supported Soilsafe Kids’ engagement work, teaching school groups about soil. 

 Lauren (she/her) has a background in media and film studies, and completed a Masters in Geography in 2023, also supporting Soilsafe’s art exhibits, and education work. She has an interest in food systems, regulation and governance, and sustainability.  

Declan (he/him) has a background in zoology and completed his Master of Science in Environmental Science at the University of Auckland in 2023, working on Dustsafe Aotearoa. He has now joined PDP working in environmental consultancy.   

 Teo (he/him) took his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at the University of the Philippines Diliman. He is currently working on getting his Master of Science degree in Environmental Management at the University of Auckland, and his research focuses on how and why people participate in citizen science. Teo also worked on the Soilsafe Kids programme in 2023. Although he doesn’t have a garden of his own, he enjoys taking care of his flatmates’ houseplants.

Fionn (they/them) was a summer research student with Soilsafe in 2021 whilst completing their undergraduate studies in Environmental
Management and Indigenous Development at the University of Otago. They supported our social science work on soil values.

Sistien (she/her) holds a degree in geological engineering from Indonesia. She obtained a Master of Environmental Science from the University of Auckland in 2024. During her study, she collaborated with Soilsafe Aotearoa and GNS Science to analyse Wellington’s soil, focusing on the impact of land use on carbon, nitrogen, and trace element concentrations in urban settings. Her expertise and interests revolve around environmental contamination, geochemistry, and volcanology.

Simon (he/him) has a background in physical geography, and completed a BSc (Hons) in Geography in 2023. Simon supported Soilsafe Aotearoa for 2 years as the ‘voice’ behind our soil metals testing programme, sending results and responding to participant enquiries. Simon works at PDP as an Environmental Scientist.