Kate is currently studying a Master of Science (Botany) at the University of Melbourne. Her supervisors are Dr. David Duncan, Dr. Libby Rumpff and Assoc. Prof. Brendan Wintle . Partnering with Bush Heritage Australia, her Masters topic is centred on ecological monitoring in the private conservation sector. A Holsworth Research Endowment has allowed Kate to do field work on Boolcoomatta Reserve, her Masters study site.

Kate started her research by studying a Bachelor of Law (Hons)/ Bachelor of Science (Environment) at Griffith University in Brisbane, and the University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

After working for the Queensland Government in water planning/law for 4 years, she moved to the Torres Straits to work with the Torres Strait Islander Rangers. Based on Waiben (Thursday Island), Kate worked on the Traditional Ecological Knowledge and the Indigenous Protected Area projects. It was a wonderful experience.