Zoe-Joy Newby is a Scientific Officer based at the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan, with a passion for the conservation of terrestrial orchids.
Zoe-Joy holds a Bachelor’s degree in Science in Agriculture and a PhD in plant pathology, and specialises in the study of plant diseases. She is currently directing her expertise to the preservation of orchids and utilising their symbiotic relationship with mycorrhizal fungi for propagation.
In the lab, she applies her skills in aseptic technique (working in sterile environments in a way that does not introduce microbial contamination), microbiology, and microscopy. Office days may include reading, project and experiment planning, developing budgets, meetings, and sourcing supplies for the glasshouse, lab or field.
A field day involves driving anywhere from one to several hours to hunt for rare orchids or undertaking hand pollination and seed collection. Other work includes setting up experiments, subculturing fungi, analysing results, and tending to the living collection of orchids.
One of Zoe-Joy's happiest memories from her work was the discovery of a tiny green seedling of the Kangaloon Sun orchid (Thelymitra kangaloonica), after more than four years trying to get seed to germinate. She enjoys the diversity of her work, appreciating the constant learning, the opportunity to contribute to important conservation efforts, and the sense of achievement in successfully propagating several endangered orchid species.
With its focus on describing, preserving genetic diversity, and conserving plant species, the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney has established itself as a global leader in plant conservation and Zoe-Joy values the dedicated staff, brilliant minds, and the Garden’s persistence in its mission.
