Jason van de Merwe

Dr. Jason van de Merwe is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, specializing in marine ecology and ecotoxicology. He leads research on chemical contaminant impacts on marine wildlife, particularly sea turtles, dugongs, whales, and dolphins. His work emphasizes ethical, high-throughput toxicity testing via cell-based bioassays and addresses coastal zone management challenges. He holds a PhD from Griffith University (2008) and has supervised over 20 doctoral and master’s students. His research is funded by grants from government agencies and organizations like the World Wildlife Fund and Gold Coast City Council, focusing on pollution monitoring and wildlife health. He teaches courses in marine ecology, toxicology, and foundational science.

• Education:
  • PhD in Environmental Science, Griffith University (2008)
  • Bachelor of Science (Honours), Griffith University/University of Queensland (2002)
  • Bachelor of Science, University of Adelaide (1995)
• Research Interests:
  • Development of cell-based bioassays for chemical toxicity assessment
  • Contaminant exposure in marine turtles and cetaceans
  • Marine ecosystem health and conservation
• Grants & Projects:
  • Over 45 funded research projects since 2015, including marine pollution monitoring and turtle health studies
  • Collaborations with government agencies (e.g., NSW Department of Climate Change) and NGOs
• Advising:
  • Supervises 3 current PhD students on topics like cetacean health and toxicology of sharks
  • Completed 10+ doctoral students focusing on turtle ecology and contaminant effects
• Labs/Teams:
  • Australian Rivers Institute (Research Affiliate)