Patrick Fahey, a Visiting Scientist at the Research Centre for Ecosystem Resilience, brings a wealth of expertise and passion to his role.
With a focus on restoration genetics and botanical research, Patrick plays a crucial part in the Restore and Renew initiative, concentrating on projects related to the preservation of the threatened ecological community, Cumberland Plain Woodland, and the cultivation of trees for koala conservation in reforestation efforts. Additionally, he contributes to optimising the design of seed production areas and germplasm collections.
Having completed a PhD in botany from University of Melbourne, Patrick possesses a solid educational foundation to support his scientific endeavours. With his expertise and dedication, he contributes to expanding the understanding of native flora, paving the way for its practical application and benefiting stakeholders and the wider public.
As an evolutionary botanist, Patrick's skills encompass phylogenetics, phylogeography, population genetics, and landscape genetics, with a particular emphasis on the diverse group of eucalypts. With an extensive understanding of these plants, Patrick conducts comprehensive research, collects samples, and analyses data, combining fieldwork, project management, and scientific collaboration.
Patrick is driven by his passion for exploring the intricate processes of speciation and the influence of hybridisation and isolation. His fascination with plants extends beyond his professional pursuits, however, as he simply enjoys observing and appreciating their beauty. He has a happy childhood memory of sitting under a bottlebrush growing out of a flat rock in the middle of a swimming hole (albeit his newfound paradise was rudely interrupted by a bee sting!) Unsurprisingly given his work focus, Patrick’s favourite plants are eucalypts - all 900 species of them!
Looking to the future, Patrick hopes the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney continues to receive investment to allow for the further exploration and utilisation of knowledge surrounding Australia's unique flora, benefiting stakeholders and the general public alike.
