Damien T Maher

Professor Damien T Maher is a leading academic in Earth Sciences at the Faculty of Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University. He serves as Associate Dean (Research) and is affiliated with the School of Environment, Science and Engineering. His work bridges fundamental science and applied environmental solutions, with strong collaborations across industry and government sectors.

• BAppSc, Southern Cross University
• PhD, Southern Cross University

His research focuses on the biogeochemical processes governing coastal ecosystems, particularly carbon and nutrient dynamics in blue carbon habitats such as mangroves, seagrass, and saltmarsh. He investigates greenhouse gas emissions, groundwater-surface water interactions, and climate change impacts using innovative low-cost sensor technologies. His interdisciplinary approach integrates field measurements, laboratory analysis, and environmental monitoring to advance understanding of coastal hydrology and biogeochemistry.

Professor Maher has secured over $5 million in research funding and authored more than 130 publications. His editorial roles include Associate Editor for Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta and editorial board membership for Oceans and Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, reflecting his significant contributions to marine and earth sciences.

• Inspiring Researcher, Award for Research Excellence, Southern Cross University, 2022
• Cronin Award, Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation (CERF), 2017

He has extensive experience in supervising PhD and master’s students to successful completion and is actively involved in research leadership, grant acquisition, and the Scholarship of Learning and Teaching. His team works on integrated carbon monitoring, novel sensor development, and real-world environmental problem solving.

Professor Maher is embedded in several research networks and contributes to interdisciplinary teams focused on coastal sustainability, climate resilience, and environmental monitoring. His lab emphasizes innovation in measurement techniques and scalable solutions for ecosystem assessment and management.