I am an Academic within College of Science and Engineering and an inventor.  I have fulfilled several roles at JCU as Associate Dean Teaching & Learning, Course Coordinator for the Bachelor of Technology and Innovation, Academic Adviser, Course Coordinator for the BSc, and Manager of Undergraduate teaching in the former College of Marine & Environmental Science.

Prior to commencing at JCU in 2005, I travelled throughout Queensland and Australia designing and teaching hands-on science experiences for primary and secondary students while working at CSIRO Education.  I am an active participant in the Scientist in Schools program and have been working extensively in local primary schools for the last 10 years to try to inspire young scientists, to increase “science literacy” within the general public and to promote the uptake of science subjects to students within the region.

I am a trained high school science teacher and am passionate about STEM education, curriculum development and promoting science within north Queensland and the wider community. 

My research uses environmental DNA (eDNA) to monitor tropical freshwater biodiversity.  I am particulary interested in using eDNA techniques to detect invasive fish, such as tilapia and rare and critically endangered species.  

Through my research at JCU and my participation in the National CSIRO OnAccelerate program, we launched a company, Grover Scientific that sells environmental (eDNA) sampling devices.  Check out our website at www.groverscientific.com.au

You can check out a video of our eDNA work on the ABC Catalyst website.(www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/4122587.htm)

Teaching

• AG1007: Introduction to Plants and Animals for Veterinary Science (Level 1; TSV)
• BS1007: Introduction to Biodiversity (Level 1; TSV)
• SC1101: Science, Technology and Truth (Level 1; CNS & TSV)
• SC3003: Science Research Internship (Level 3; CNS & TSV)

Interests

Research

• environmental DNA, invasive species, Start-Up Companies, Technology & Innovation, Diffusion of Innovation, STEM education,

Research Disciplines

• Curriculum and pedagogy (3901)
• Ecology (3103)
• Environmental management (4104)

Awards

• 2011 - JCU Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning
• 2009 - JCU Award for Excellence-Client Service
• 1997 - Protect the Planet Scholar
• 1997 - Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarship ($29,000)

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles

• Huerlimann R, Cooper M, Edmunds R, Villacorta-Rath C, Le Port A, Robson H, Strugnell J, Burrows D and Jerry D (2020) Enhancing tropical conservation and ecology research with aquatic environmental DNA methods: an introduction for non-environmental DNA specialists. Animal Conservation, 23 (6). pp. 632-645
• Chambers I, Roberts J, Urbaniak S, Gibson D, Durant G, Cerini B, Maulloo A, Applasawmy B, Barrett R, Nelson C, Robson H, Sangha K, Russell-Smith J, Flintoff K, Buchholz J, Stafford Smith M and Gordon I (2019) Education for sustainable development: a study in adolescent perception changes towards sustainability following a strategic planning-based intervention-the young persons' plan for the planet program. Sustainability, 11 (20).
• Robson H, Noble T, Saunders R, Robson S, Burrows D and Jerry D (2016) Fine-tuning for the tropics: application of eDNA technology for invasive fish detection in tropical freshwater ecosystems. Molecular Ecology Resources, 16 (4). pp. 922-932
• Waycott M, Jones B, Van Dijk J, Robson H and Calladine A (2011) Microsatellite markers in the Australian desert plant, Solanum centrale (Solanaceae). American Journal of Botany, 98 (4). pp. e81-e83
• Jones B, Waycott M, Robson H, Calladine A and Page T (2010) Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in Santalum lanceolatum and Santalum leptocladum (Santalaceae). American Journal of Botany, 2010. pp. e97-e98

Other research outputs

• Robson H, Basiita R, Noble T, Burrows D and Jerry D (2015) Environmental DNA (eDNA) survey of Tilapia on the mid coast (Geraldton region) of Western Australia. Technical Reports 2015, 15/49. James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia [Report]
• Robson H, Basiita R, Noble T, Burrows D and Jerry D (2015) Environmental DNA (eDNA) survey of Tilapia in northern NSW. Technical Reports 2015, 15/48. James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia [Report]
• Jerry D, Noble T, Basiita R, Robson H and Burrows D (2015) Environmental DNA (eDNA) survey of Tilapia infestations in the Moranbah/Isaac region. Technical Reports 2015, 15/46. James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia [Report]
• Jerry D, Noble T, Robson H and Burrows D (2015) Environmental DNA (eDNA) survey of the Tilapia in the Cudgeon Region, NSW. Technical Reports 2015, 15/45. James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia [Report]
• Noble T, Robson H, Saunders R and Jerry D (2015) The utility of eDNA as a tilapia surveillance tool. PetSmart Toolkit. Invasive Animalc Cooperative Research Centre, Canberra, ACT, Australia [Report]
• Jerry D, Noble T, Robson H and Burrows D (2014) Environmental DNA (eDNA) survey of Tilapia in the lower Pioneer catchment. Technical Reports 2014, 14/63. James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia [Report]
• Jerry D, Noble T, Robson H and Burrows D (2014) Environmental DNA (eDNA) survey of Tilapia infestations in the Fitzroy River Basin. Technical Reports 2014, 14/62. James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia [Report]

More

ResearchOnline@JCU stores 14+ research outputs authored by Mrs Heather Robson from 2009 onwards.

Current and recent Research Funding to JCU is shown by funding source and project.

These are the most recent metadata records associated with this researcher. To see a detailed description of all dataset records, visit Research Data Australia.

• Robson, H. (2017) Tilapia eDNA (environmental DNA) data. James Cook University

The map shows research collaborations by institution from the past 7 years.
Note: Map points are indicative of the countries or states that institutions are associated with.