I have worked most of my career in biological sciences and am passionate about science and science education. I have extensive experience in orchid ecology and plant-microbe symbiosis research and have worked on the recovery of orchids and their associated fungal microflora in mine-site rehabilitation areas and on the Rhizobia associated with sub-clover pastures in SW WA. I have managed a soil microbiology research laboratory (CLIMA, UWA), including staff and budget management, and have been actively involved in the training of technical staff, postgraduate students and a visiting academic from Nepal.
I have a diverse range of skills in science including:
Strong plant identification skills in flora of SW, Pilbara and Kimberley regions of Western Australia. I have undertaken flora surveys with DPaW in the Kimberlies and the WA wheatbelt, and as a volunteer with the Wildflower Society of Western Australia in the SW botanic region.
Skills in the isolation, identification and culture of mycorrhizal fungi and Rhizobium. My experience includes research into orchid and orchid mycorrhiza ecology at UWA and Kings Park and Botanic Gardens, arbuscular mycorrhiza at UWA, and rhizobial research in agricultural systems at UWA and Murdoch University.
I am able to work both independently with minimal supervision and as part of a team. I have good interpersonal skills, and am able to cooperate and work with people from diverse educational, ethnic and cultural backgrounds. I also have excellent organisational, time management and planning skills including management of research and technical staff, students and equipment.
Excellent communication skills including experience in the preparation of scientific reports and papers, delivery of seminars, workshops and lectures to both specialist audiences and the public.
Botany: highly skilled in identification of flora of SW, Pilbara and Kimberly regions of Western Australia, and in vegetation field surveys.
Soil Microbiology: research experience in plant/microbe symbioses, isolation, identification and culture of mycorrhiza and Rhizobium, including the use of ELISA, PCR and sequencing in identification of microorganisms.
Chemical and Physical Analysis: experience in chemical and physical analysis of soil (e.g. pH, EC, Organic C, particle size) and plant material (e.g. C, H, O, N and P, chlorophyll)
Project Management: experienced in coordination, administration of small projects and ensuring delivery on time and within budget (includes research projects, laboratory management and small projects within UWA)
Education: training students and technical staff in technical skills associated with working in cell biology, microbiology, soil chemistry, biochemistry and chemistry.
Tertiary Education (The University of Western Australia)
Doctor of Philosophy (2008)
Thesis Title: Factors affecting the recovery of orchids in a post-mining landscape.
Supervisors: Dr K. Sivasithamparam (UWA), Dr M. Brundrett (UWA) and Dr J. Koch (Alcoa Australia Ltd.)
Studies undertaken prior to PhD
Quantitative Plant Ecology 318 (HD), Plant Adaptations 315, Systematics 319 (HD), Botany 205: Morphology and Anatomy (HD), Ecology (HD) and Land Plant Diversity I and II (HD)
Master of Science in Biotechnology and Molecular Biology (coursework and thesis)
Thesis Title: The Development of Techniques for the Commercial Propagation of W.A. Terrestrial Orchids.
Supervisors: Dr K.W. Dixon (KPBG) and Dr A. Hobbs (UWA)
Honours in Organic Chemistry (2A),
Thesis Title: Preparation of Some Tricyclo(3,2,1,02,4)octan-8-ones, Their Dimethoxy Ketals and Their Reactions with Aqueous Perchloric Acid.
Supervisor: Dr B.L. Johnson (UWA)
Bachelor of Science,
Majors: Organic Chemistry and Microbiology
Vocational Education and Training
TAELLN411 Address Adult Language, Literacy and Numeracy Skills (December 2015)
Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40110) (January 2015)
Additional
PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner (February 2020)
I am currently working part-time as a technical officer for Mike Lyons identifying plant specimens, lodging specimens, assisting with data entry from flora surveys and editing reports.
Lyons M, Collins M, Pryde J, English V (2020). Flora. In Biodiversity survey, mapping, delineation and assessment of selected organic mound springs of the Kimberley Region Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kensington, WA. pp. 7–19, 108–133
Brundrett M, Wisolith A, Collins M, Longman V, Clarke K (2019). Several complimentary plant establishment methods are required to restore banksia woodland (ABSTRACT). In Nature City Seminar: Book of Abstracts p. 6
Brundrett M, Longman V, Wisolith A, Jackson K, Collins M, Clarke K (2018). Banksia Woodland Restoration Project: annual report 6, January-December 2017. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kensington, WA. 59 p.
Lyons M, Pinder A, Collins M, Lewis L, Quinlan K, Shiel R et al. [Coppen R, Thompson F] (2018). Wetland biodiversity patterning along the middle to upper Fortescue valley (Pilbara, Western Australia) to inform conservation planning (POSTER ABSTRACT). In Program: 14th Annual WA Wetland Management Conference 2018: Celebrating World Wetlands Day, Friday 2nd February 2018, 9am to 4pm, Cockburn Wetlands Education Centre, 184 Hope Road, Bibra Lake, Western Australia p. 15
Lyons M, Pinder A, Collins M, Lewis L, Quinlan K, Shiel R et al. [Coppen R, Thompson F] (2018). Wetland biodiversity patterning along the middle to upper Fortescue valley (Pilbara, Western Australia) to inform conservation planning. Poster presented at the 14th Annual WA Wetland Management Conference 2018, Friday 2nd February 2018, Bibra Lake, Western Australia. 7 p.
Brundrett M, Collins M, Clarke K, Longman V, Wisolith A (2017). Banksia Woodland Restoration Project: flora and vegetation completion criteria. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kensington, WA. 40 p.
Brundrett M, Longman V, Wisolith A, Jackson K, Collins M, Clarke K (2017). Banksia Woodland Restoration Project: annual report 5, January-December 2016. Department of Parks and Wildlife, Kensington, WA. 43 p.
Clarke K, Glossop B, Brundrett M, Collins M (2017). Banksia Woodland Restoration Project: site selection for topsoil transfer and management actions. Department of Parks and Wildlife, Kensington, WA. 29 p.
Pinder A, Lyons M, Collins M, Lewis L, Quinlan K, Shiel R et al. [Coppen R, Thompson F] (2017). Clay-rich landscapes mould unique wetland assemblages in the Pilbara’s Fortescue Valley (POSTER). Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kensington, WA.
Pinder A, Lyons M, Collins M, Lewis L, Quinlan K, Shiel R et al. [Coppen R, Thompson F] (2017). Clay-rich landscapes mould unique wetland assemblages in the Pilbara’s Fortescue Valley. Available at https://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/about-us/science-and-research/publications-resources/111-science-division-information-sheets. 91/2017, 2 p.
Pinder A, Lyons M, Collins M, Lewis L, Quinlan K, Shiel R et al. [Coppen R, Thompson F] (2017). Wetland biodiversity patterning along the middle to upper Fortescue valley (Pilbara, Western Australia) to inform conservation planning. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kensington, WA. 121 p.
Brundrett M, Longman V, Wisolith A, Jackson K, Collins M, Clarke K (2016). Banksia Woodland Restoration Project: annual report 4, January-December 2015. Department of Parks and Wildlife, Kensington, WA. 40 p.
Jones S, Collins M, Francis C, Halliday D (2009). Stage 3 evaluations of 28 wetlands in the Avon natural resource management region, spring 2008. Department of Environment and Conservation, Woodvale, WA. 66 p.
Collins M, Brundrett M, Koch J, Sivasithamparam K (2007). Colonisation of jarrah forest bauxite-mine rehabilitation areas by orchid mycorrhizal fungi. 55, pp. 653–664
Brundrett M, Longman V, Wisolith A, Jackson K, Collins M, Clarke K. (2018) Banksia Woodland Restoration Project: Annual Report 6: January - December 2017. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Perth.
Wisolith A, Collins M, Brundrett M, Longman V, Jackson K and Clarke K, (2018) Banksia Woodland Restoration Project: Harrisdale Swamp Restoration Monitoring Results July - December 2017. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Perth.
Brundrett M, Longman V, Wisolith A, Jackson K, Collins M, Clarke K. (2017) Banksia Woodland Restoration Project Annual Report 5: January - December 2016. Department of Parks and Wildlife, Perth.
Brundrett, M. and Collins M, Clarke, K, Longman V, Wisolith A (2017) Flora and Vegetation Completion Criteria. Department of Parks and Wildlife, Perth.
Clarke, K., Glossop, B., Brundrett, M. and Collins, M. (2017) Site Selection for Topsoil Transfer and Management Actions. Department of Parks and Wildlife, Perth.
Brundrett, M.C., Longman, V., Wisolith, A., Jackson,K., Fielder, J., Collins, M. and Clarke, K. (2016) Banksia Woodland Restoration Project Report 4: January – December 2015. Department of Parks and Wildlife, Perth
Collins MT, Brundrett MC [Mark Tibbett ] (2015) Recovery of terrestrial orchids in natural ecosystems after severe disturbance. In Mining in Ecologically Sensitive Landscapes. CSIRO Press, pp.141-158
Collins M (2014). Crotalaria pallida (Fabaceae) in Western Australia. A case study in how to introduce a new weed. Australasian Systematic Botany Society Newsletter 159, pp. 10-12
Collins MT (2013) Threatened Flora of the Western Central Wheatbelt (BOOK REVIEW) Australasian Systematic Botany Society Newsletter 154, p.33
Bell LW, Ryan MH, Bennett RG, Collins MT and Clarke HJ (2012) Growth, yield and seed composition of native Australian legumes with potential as grain crops. The Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 92 pp. 1354-1361
Collins MT (2012) Cape Arid (BOOK REVIEW) Australasian Systematic Botany Society Newsletter 152, p.13
Collins MT, Koch J, Brundrett MC, Sivasithamparam K (2007) Colonisation of bauxite mine rehabilitation areas of South-West Western Australia by orchid mycorrhizal fungi Australian Journal of Botany 55 pp. 1-12
Collins MT (2005) How do you determine when orchid seed germination has been successful? Orchadian 15, pp. 60-71
Collins MT, Koch J, Brundrett MC, Sivasithamparam K (2005) Recovery of terrestrial orchids in the post-mining landscape. Selbyana 26 pp. 255-264.
Collins MT, Thies JE, Abbott LK (2002) Diversity and symbiotic effectiveness of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii isolates from pasture soils in south-western Australia. Australian Journal of Soil Researc, 40 pp. 1319-1329
Collins MT, Dixon KW (1992) In vitro propagation of an Australian terrestrial orchid. Diuris longifolia R. Br. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 32 pp. 131-135
Collins, M.T. and Dixon, K.W. (1992) Methods for propagation and cultivation of Melblom's spider orchid, Caladenia hastata, from Portland, Victoria. Kings Park and Botanic Pardens, Perth.
Collins, M.T. (1990) Propagation of Western Australian terrestrial orchids, International Plant Propagators Society Conference Proceedings, Perth, WA 40: 49-55
Dixon, K.W. and Collins, M. (1990) Bid to save rare and endangered orchids. Australian Orchid Review June 11-13
