TropWATER recently welcomed Brodie O’Breza as our first Indigenous Research Intern, spending a bustling five months contributing to projects across almost every research area in the centre.
Brodie O'Breza
From the lab to the field and everywhere in between with Brodie O’Breza
13 August 2026
Brodie O'Breza
Brodie brought local and international scientific experience with her, including a CSIRO Indigenous Time at Sea voyage in the Coral Sea, research on carbon sequestration, and community-based marine conservation work in Fiji. Brodie is a proud Torres Strait Islander woman with a passion for supporting Indigenous representation in STEM and advancing research that is meaningful to communities.
We asked Brodie to share some insights into her time with TropWATER.
Why did you choose TropWATER?
Back in 2024, I attended the Australian Marine Sciences Association conference, and so many of the presentations I saw were in collaboration with TropWATER and JCU.
“I found out that TropWATER has a lot of different projects I could get involved in and is renowned for working closely and collaboratively with Traditional Owners in the research space.”
I wanted a better understanding of how research organisations collaborate with Indigenous communities and knowledge systems.
What did you work on with us?
So many things! I’ve gained experience across all stages of the research process, including fieldwork, laboratory work, and data analysis, on projects such as:
Identifying seagrass and counting coral recruits.
Measuring blue carbon in saltmarshes.
Sampling sediment at a closed mine.
Lab work and data analysis for environmental DNA (eDNA).
Surveying land and vegetation condition in northwest Queensland.
Water quality sampling and macroinvertebrate and fish surveys for OzFish Creek Watch.
This internship took me from the lab to the field and everywhere in between.
“I saw so much of the diverse ecosystems across North Queensland and gained valuable insights into the practical challenges of environmental research.”
Among those experiences, what was the most fun?
I had a lot of fun joining the Rangers in learning about types of seagrass at a workshop in Cairns. I really enjoyed the practical and applied learning, about which seagrasses are found in each Ranger group’s Sea Country, and applying that knowledge to underwater camera footage with them.
Attending this year’s JCU Eddie Koiki Mabo Lecture by Phillemon Mosby was another highlight. It strongly supported my culture to celebrate Mabo Day, and I was able to meet professionals from the Torres Strait, supporting my goal of studying a Master’s by Research based there.
How has your internship been valuable?
One of the most rewarding aspects of my internship has been the vast diversity of experiences available across TropWATER's research projects, gaining hands-on experience in fieldwork, laboratory techniques, data management, and environmental monitoring.
“Beyond the technical skills, what I'll value most are the connections I made.”
Working alongside passionate researchers, professional staff, fellow students, Indigenous Ranger groups, community organisations, and project partners has shown me the importance of collaboration in addressing environmental and marine challenges.
“As an Indigenous scientist, this experience has reinforced the importance of ensuring research is both scientifically thorough and meaningful to the communities it aims to support.”
Now that your internship is wrapping up, what’s next for you?
I am currently scoping a Master's by Research, focused on co-designed research approaches that bring together Indigenous knowledge systems and Western marine science. My internship has really strengthened my confidence as an emerging researcher and further motivated me to pursue postgraduate study.
I am grateful to the TropWATER team for providing such a welcoming and supportive environment, and for the opportunity to contribute to research that supports environmental sustainability and community outcomes.
