Kelly Shepherd is a Research Scientist based at the Western Australian Herbarium. She is working on the Biodiversity Conservation Initiative (BCI) Project "Resolution and Description of new plant species in the Yilgarn Ironstone and Ravensthorpe Range areas subject to mining interest." The aim of this project is to resolve the taxonomy and expedite the description of unnamed plant taxa from areas where they may be vulnerable to future mining activities or are recognised as Priority or Declared Rare flora.

Kelly's own research interests include the morphological and molecular systematics of the samphire subfamily Salicornioideae (Chenopodiaceae) including Halosarcia, Sarcocornia, Sclerostegia, Pachycornia, Tecticornia and Tegicornia. She is also currently completing a molecular phylogeny (based on both nrDNA and cpDNA) of the Goodeniaceae in collaboration with Leigh Sage (Waneroo). Kelly previously worked as a Graduate Research Assistant on an Australian Biological Resources Study (ABRS) project revising the taxonomy of the genera Thomasia and Lasiopetalum (tribe Lasiopetaleae, Malvaceae s.l.).

• Plant systematics, phylogenetics and taxonomy.
• Systematics of the Australian samphires - Halosarcia, Sarcocornia, Sclerostegia, Pachycornia, Tecticornia and Tegicornia (subfamily Saliconrioideae, Chenopodiaceae).

Academic Qualifications

Bachelor or Science (Botany/Zoology) Honours. The University of Western Australia, 1992. Thesis title: Faecal Analysis of Mamalian Herbivores in the Perup Forest, Western Australia.

Doctor of Philosophy, School of Plant Biology, The University of Western Australia, 2005. Thesis title: A Systematic Analysis of the Australian Salicornioideae (Chenopodiaceae).

Positions Held

Postdoctoral Research Fellow UK Millennium Seed Bank
Project (based at Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority), Jan 2006 - Aug 2006.

Postdoctoral Research Fellow The University of Western Australia and Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority, Aug 2004 - Dec 2005.
Project: A molecular phylogenetic analysis of the Goodeniaceae, with particular focus on Scaevola and Lechenaultia

Doctor of Philosophy Australian Postgraduate Award (Industry) UWA May 1999 - Aug 2004.
Project: To investigate the phylogenetic relationships of the Australian genera of the subfamily Salicornioideae (Chenopodiaceae) using anatomical, morphological, cytological and molecular techniques.

Optical Microscopy Course Demonstrating Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis (CMM) UWA, 2002-2003. Taught post graduate students and staff practical components of the Optical Microscopy Course including anatomical methods using Glycol Methacrylate resin.

Research Scientist Department of Conservation and Land Management, April - June 2002.
Project: To develop a DELTA (Description Language for Taxonomy) interactive key for the Western Australian Samphires (subfamily Salicornioideae, Chenopodiaceae).

Environmental Consultant Ecosystem Management Services, Aug 1998 - April 1999.
Project: To develop a methodology for the Water and Rivers Commission to monitor river health and to facilitate local community groups to conduct their own foreshore surveys.
Project: To assist the Ellen Brook Integrated Catchment Group (EBICG) to develop a number of 'best management practice' land care projects supported by Natural Heritage Trust funding.

Graduate Research Assistant Department of Botany UWA , Jan 1994 - Nov 1996.
Project: To undertake the Australian Biological Resource Study of the taxonomic revision of Lasiopetalum and Thomasia (Sterculiaceae) genera.

Research Assistant (part-time) Department of Botany UWA, June 1992 - Dec 1993.
Project: To document the impact of sunlight exposure on leaf structure and leaf orientation of plants in the south-west of Western Australia.

Research Assistant (part time) Department of Botany UWA, July - Dec 1993.
Project: To assist in the Australian Biological Resources Study of the taxonomic revision of Jacksonia (Fabaceae).

Biodiversity Conservation Initiative (BCI) Project - Resolution and Description of new plant species in the Yilgarn Ironstone and Ravensthorpe Range areas subject to mining interest.