“The best outcomes come from understanding what end-users need, and actively listening to different perspectives.”

Monique Binet is a senior aquatic ecotoxicologist whose career spans environmental science, water quality and, more recently, One Health and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Monique spent much of her career at CSIRO, working across aquatic ecotoxicology, environmental hazard and risk assessment, water quality and sustainable cities. A strong focus throughout her career has been developing data, tools, methods and approaches to understand the impacts of urban and industrial sources of toxicants on aquatic environments, and translating that science into practical guidance for industry and government.

Monique also brings extensive experience in developing, leading and managing complex, multi-partner projects, bringing together different disciplines and perspectives to collaborate on strategies to tackle environmental and One Health challenges.

An unexpected career change four years ago became a significant turning point for Monique, when an organisational restructure resulting in laboratory closures saw her move from hands-on lab work to more of a research-convening role. This pivot helped Monique discover the power of bringing together different expertise and perspectives and opened the door to the connection between the environmental dimensions of AMR her existing expertise in aquatic ecotoxicology, environmental risk assessment and water quality. Working with people across the One Health sector, and hearing about how AMR affects people in settings including farms, clinics and aged care, broadened her understanding of the challenge as well as the importance of collaboration to address complex problems.

Monique believes that good science alone is not enough to create impact. Understanding what end-users need, listening to different perspectives, and finding common motivations and shared goals are central to effective collaboration which bridges science, industry, policy and regulation.

For Monique, success will be seeing SAAFE’s science translated into practical tools and approaches that can be used by industry, government and regulators. She hopes to play a role in nurturing collaborations and gathering the evidence needed to translate research into meaningful outcomes.

Outside work, Monique enjoys walking her dog, watching her children play sport and family holidays involving plenty of hiking, snorkelling and time spent in nature. She also enjoys doing things the old-fashioned way – reading actual books, walking without music in her ears, listening to nature, shopping in person and talking face-to-face when possible.

And for a claim to fame? When she was 12, Monique appeared on Network Ten’s Double Dare – and came close to taking home the loot, only to miss out on the skate-wing.