From an early age, Dr. Catherine Hall, a Senior Environmental Scientist at Aurora, knew she wanted to work with animals, though she wasn’t drawn to the traditional path of becoming a veterinarian. Instead, she discovered her passion in ecology – the study of relationships between living organisms and their physical environment.
“I studied Conservation Biology and Environmental Restoration at university, and I loved it. This led me to further study, completing an honours project on weed dispersal by birds,” she explains.
Her studies paved the way for her first role as an Invertebrate Zoologist, specialising in species with restricted geographic ranges and those living underground. “After a few years, I returned to study and completed my PhD thesis on the roaming and hunting behaviour of pet cats and their impact on native habitats and species,” she adds.
During this time Catherine started a family welcoming two children. She also worked part time as a flute and piano teacher.
Fast forward a few years and with her children in full-time school, Catherine had the chance to reconnect with the field she loved and in 2022, she rejoined the workforce, bringing her unique expertise to Aurora Environmental.
What excites her most about her role is the variety of projects and the opportunity to deepen her knowledge of WA’s distinctive flora and fauna. “The flora and fauna here are incredibly diverse, with so many species we know very little about, and many more yet to be discovered,” she says. She also enjoys working with like-minded colleagues and knowing that her work helps clients protect the environment.
When asked which environmental issue she would most like to help people solve, she has a clear answer: habitat clearing. “Many of our plant and animal species are endangered or at risk due to habitat loss. If we could place more value on our environment, we might find innovative ways to protect these vital ecosystems.”
Outside of work, Catherine draws inspiration from the natural world she works to protect – spending time in her garden, crafting offers her another creative outlet as well as experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen.
For those interested in a career in environmental science, Catherine offers simple but meaningful advice: “Learn all you can about the environment around you and how it all interacts.”
