Maree Wright is the Centre’s Research and Development Coordinator, where she oversees a wide range of projects, with a particular focus on vertebrate and invertebrate pest management.
She brings a strong background in community engagement, science, and communications, and previously served as Project and Communications Manager at Landcare ACT.
Maree holds a Master’s degree in Health Science and is passionate about environmental restoration, regularly volunteering in her local community.
Sreshti has experience in the social and education development sector in a fundraising, marketing and communications capacity. She is responsible for providing operational support and the delivery of CISS Communication and Marketing Plans.
Sreshti holds the following qualifications:
Dr Maggie Mwathi is the Research and Development Projects Officer, with experience across biosecurity, plant health, agricultural research and development, and research project delivery. She has worked across academia, the not-for-profit sector, and national peak bodies, including Plant Health Australia. Most recently, she was with CSIRO, where she supported a portfolio of research projects focused on developing biosecurity innovation solutions to address key agricultural and environmental challenges. Maggie holds a PhD in Agriculture Sciences (Genetics) from the University of Queensland, as well as postgraduate qualifications in Biotechnology and Project Planning and Management.
Heidi brings over 20 years of experience in the NRM industry, specialising in engagement and collaboration. She has extensive expertise in invasive species management, environmental water and project management, having worked across not-for-profit, private, local, and state government sectors.
Heidi served as the Victorian Rabbit Action Network (VRAN) Executive Officer at Agriculture Victoria from 2016 to 2023, where she led a participatory engagement process to enhance community capacity for managing rabbits across Victoria. In 2024, Heidi worked as a consultant, focusing on communications, partnership and stakeholder management. In addition to her work with CISS, Heidi is a member of Rabbit Free Australia and actively participates in the Australian Rabbit Managers Network. Her passion lies in fostering meaningful connections between people and the environment to achieve sustainable outcomes.
Qualifications:
Greg Mifsud is the National Wild Dog Management Coordinator funded through the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions via a co-investment model that includes Wool Producers Australia, Australian Wool Innovation Ltd, Meat and Livestock Australia, Animal Health Australia, Sheep Producers Australia and the Cattle Council of Australia.
As a key member of the Centre’s Feral Animal Projects team, Lachlan Marshall brings significant natural resource management experience, with particular expertise in feral animal research and management.
With experience in managing and monitoring feral species at both property and regional level, Lachlan is a natural communicator able to engage and connect with stakeholders and landowners on the challenges of feral animal management to protect and build healthy ecosystems.
Qualification:
Yasmin Aly brings decades of experience in natural resource management and significant project management expertise to her role as National Feral Cat and Fox Management Coordinator.
Working with both Parks Victoria and Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania, Yasmin has led and delivered multiple projects with a focus on invasive species, including foxes, feral cats, pigs, goats and deer. Other projects have included public infrastructure, bushfire recovery, regional Landcare initiatives, preserving habitat for native species including the Fairy Tern and Southern Brown Bandicoot and managing pest plants in threatened Littoral Rainforest Communities.
Yasmin relishes the opportunity to build relationships across teams, and her leadership has been recognised with multiple qualifications including from the Australasian Women’s Leadership Symposium and the Graduate Business School.
Winner of a Banksia Environmental Award: ‘Saving Victoria’s Threatened Orchids’, Yasmin holds a Diploma of Applied Science (Natural Resource Management) from RMIT University and Bachelor of Arts Degree (with Honours) from the Victorian College of the Arts.
Beyond her professional sphere, Yasmin is an accomplished musician and winner of several international music scholarships.
Dr Sara Balouch is the Program Officer supporting the National Feral Cat and Fox Management Coordination Program. She brings a strong background in ecology and wildlife conservation, with a particular interest in biodiversity conservation in fragmented lands that led to completing her PhD in Ecology in Australia.
Dr Balouch has worked across a diverse range of ecological roles spanning university research, not-for-profit conservation and private environmental consultancy. Most recently, she worked with the Tasmanian Government as the Regional Cat Management Coordinator, collaborating with communities and stakeholders to promote responsible cat ownership and reduce the impacts of cats on native wildlife.
Through her research and professional experience, Dr Balouch has developed expertise in project coordination, ecological surveys and experimental design. She is passionate about applying science to support practical, collaborative approaches to invasive species management and biodiversity conservation as well as communicating complex ecological concepts in ways that are accessible to diverse audiences.
Hashini Peiris is the Finance and Administration Assistant at the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions, supporting day-to-day finance and administration operations.
She brings several years of experience across finance, billing, and accounts payable roles. Prior to joining the Centre, Hashini worked as a Billing and Data Officer at ActewAGL in Canberra and spent three years with SERCO ASPAC, supporting the Department of Home Affairs in an Accounts Payable role within the Facilities Management team.
Hashini holds a Master’s degree in Information Technology and multiple diplomas in Banking, Finance, Treasury, and Risk Management. She brings strong attention to detail, system expertise, and a collaborative approach to supporting effective financial operations.
As the NE NSW Wild Dog Coordinator, Dave Worsley works to coordinate management of wild dogs in the region alongside wool and other livestock producers, public land managers, industry bodies, government departments and other stakeholders to reduce the impact of wild dog predation on livestock.