Natalie Baker

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PO Box 155, Canungra,
Queensland, 4275 Australia

nat_baker@yahoo.com

18 June 1973

Australian citizen

Academic Qualifications

2004 - current: Postgraduate Diploma in International and
Community Development (part time, external)
Deakin University, Australia
Status: expected completion: November 2005

1997 - 2005: Doctorate of Philosophy (part time)
Queensland University of Technology, Australia
Project Title: Genetic diversity as a resource for
conservation and enhancing culture performance in
the redclaw crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus
Awarded a QUT and HECS Scholarship
Status: external examination October 2005

1995-1996: Bachelor of Applied Science (Honours)
Queensland University of Technology/CSRIO, Australia
Project title: Characterisation of microsatellite loci in the
redclaw crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus

1991-1994: Bachelor of Applied Science
Queensland University of Technology, Australia
Majors: Biology and Microbiology/Biochemistry

Professional Experience

Scientist (full time) May 2005 – current
Queensland Native Fish Coordinator,
Department of Primary Industries and
Fisheries, Brisbane, Australia
Key Responsibilities
• Working with NRM groups, NGOs, government agencies
to rehabilitate freshwater ecosystems for native fish recovery

Scientific Officer (full time) July 2004 – March 2005
CRC for Sustainable Forestry,
Centre for Plant Conservation Genetics,
Southern Cross University, Lismore, Australia
Key Responsibilities
• Determining transfer of microsatellite loci in Spotted Gum for QTL analysis
• Phylogenetic analysis of the genus Corymbia

Fisheries Geneticist (part time) March 2004 – June 2004
Molecular Fisheries Laboratory, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries
Brisbane, Australia
Key Responsibilities
· comparing efficiency of AGRF’s Sequenom with conventional SNP discovery
· screening allele frequencies for a subset of SNPs for two fisheries species;
Spanish mackerel and tiger prawns

Field Assistant (volunteer) October 2001 – December 2001
Colobus Trust, Diani Beach, Kenya
Key Responsibilities
· Primate census surveys, GPS mapping, behavioural observations, data entry
· Capacity building of staff, pest management research and environmental
education of school children

Research Officer (full time) September 2000-October 2001
Queens University of Belfast, Northern Ireland
Key Responsibilities
· Analysis of multiplexed microsatellite loci in Atlantic salmon
· Assign progeny to family groups to identify the impact escaped farmed
salmon have on native salmon in Ireland

Research Assistant (full time) August 1996 – April 2000
Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
Key Responsibilities
· Managing a population genetics laboratory and small-scale aquaculture facility
· Ordering consumables, maintenance of equipment while adhering to budget
· Training students in genetic techniques and health and safety awareness
· Isolation and characterisation of microsatellite loci in various species
· Genotyping of wild and cultured stocks of tilapia from Fiji and redclaw crayfish
using microsatellites
· Organisation of and participation in field trips locally, interstate in urban and remote
areas of Australia.


Publications
P. McGinnity, P. Prodöhl N. O’Maoiléidigh, R. Hynes, D. Cotter, N. Baker, B. O’Hea
and A. Ferguson (2004) Differential lifetime success and performance of native
and non-native Atlantic salmon examined under communal natural conditions Journal
of Fish Biology (Supplement A) 65: 173-187
 

P. McGinnity,  Ferguson A, Baker N, Cotter D, Cross T, Cooke D., Hynes R, O’Hea B,
O’ Maoiléidigh N, Prodöhl P, & Rogan G (2003)  A two-generation experiment comparing
the fitness and life history traits of native, ranched, non-native, farmed and
‘hybrid’ Atlantic salmon under natural conditions.
In Salmon at the Edge (Mills, D, ed.) 384 pp. Blackwell, Oxford

P. McGinnity, P. Prodöhl A., Ferguson, R.Hynes, N. O’Maoiléidigh, N. Baker,
D. Cotter, B. O’Hea, D. Cooke, G.Rogan, J.B. Taggart, and T. Cross (2003)
Fitness reduction and potential extinction of wild populations of Atlantic
salmon Salmo salar as a result of interactions with escaped farm salmon
Proceedings of the Royal Society London Series B. 270: 2443-2450

Baker N, Byrne K, Moore S and Mather P (2000) Characterisation of microsatellite
loci in the redclaw crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus. Molecular Ecology. 9: (4) 494-495

De Silva K, Baker N and Mather P. (1999) Microsatellites as genetic markers for identification
of exotic cichlids and their hybrids in Sri Lanka - a preliminary study Sri Lanka Journal of
Aquatic Sciences 4:83-90

Conferences Attended

World Aquaculture, May 2003
International Conference
Conference Centre, Salvador, Brazil
Oral presentation: Genetic diversity in wild populations as a resource for genetic
improvement of redclaw crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus in culture

Molecular Biology and Evolution and Genetics Society of Australia
Joint International Conference, 1999
Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia
Poster presented: Genetic diversity as a resource for conservation and culture
of the redclaw crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus

Society of Conservation Biology and Genetics Society of Australia
Joint International Conference, 1998
Macquarie University Sydney, Australia
Poster presented: Conservation and culture of the redclaw crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus

Other Qualifications
· International drivers license
· 4WD Defensive Driver Training Course
· Advanced (PADI) SCUBA diver - specialties in photography and naturalist
· Global Sustainability Postgraduate Module from the
    Australian Technology Network – Learning Employment Aptitudes Program
    (A 10-week online module encompassing the Triple Bottom Line + 1:
    environment, social & cultural, economic and governance dimensions
    of sustainability)