Bianca Russom

Environmental Scientist

Career Interests

My main interests are in ecology and water quality assessment and management. I firmly believe that community engagement in ‘citizen science’ projects are a powerful way to make a difference, particularly regarding environmental issues. I am willing to give anything and everything a try. I have a desire to educate and motivate members of the public in addition to those attending schools and other educational institutions, of the importance of the natural environment, with the hope that I can make a difference in an ever-changing world.Potential career pathways I am interested in include but are not limited to: secondary education, laboratory technician, community engagement officer, research assistant, water quality analyst

  • Extremely enthusiastic

  • Willing to learn and take on further responsibility

  • Works well in a team and independently

  • Passionate, dedicated and motivated

  • Well-spoken and presented

  • Well-developed time management skills

  • Excellent communication skills

Job History

Regulation Analyst | Central Coast Council
11 May 2021 - Present

  • Develop, coordinate, maintain and update data systems, including managing the quality control function to ensure systems integrity and accuracy

  • Undertake data analysis and liaise with data providers and stakeholders

  • Identify, review and respond to changes in regulatory trends and directions

  • Facilitate and audit compliance with regulatory requirements for water and sewer operations

  • Prepare a range of information and reports relating to financial and non-financial performance, as appropriate, to a range of internal and external stakeholders including Council management, IPART, NSW EPA, DPE-Water, NRAR, WaterNSW, Bureau of Meteorology, NSW Health and other authorities or regulatory bodies

  • Provide specialist input and analysis to Council’s Liquid Trade Waste, Laboratory, Catchment Management, and Water and Wastewater Quality groups

  • Manage specific projects such as customer surveys, investigations relating to regulatory issues, audits to assess the quality of data gathering systems, and other projects as allocated by the Team Leader Compliance

  • Contribute to regulatory pricing and associated processes, including the preparation of pricing submissions and information returns

  • Contribute to the development of performance measures to drive operational improvement and achieve business outcomes

Laboratory Technican | Central Coast Council
8 April 2020 - 10 May 2021

  • Plan and undertake routine and non-routine sampling and testing

  • Analyses of various water based samples using physical, chemical and microbiological techniques

  • Interpret and report on results of analyses to Council staff and customers

  • Record results of analysis in relevant databases, laboratory information systems and record management systems

  • Contribute to the improvement and development of laboratory procedures, quality control systems and laboratory functions

  • Training of small teams

  • Ensure the laboratory is organised and maintained at all times, including monitoring and maintaining laboratory stock to cover routine and non-routine test requirements

  • Maintain and ensure adherence to laboratory safety requirements

Casual Academic | Western Sydney University
February 2018 - June 2020

  • Supervise students undertaking laboratory work

  • Supervise students on field trips

  • Provide feedback and grade assessment tasks

  • Develop and present lectures using MS Powerpoint

  • Utilise Blackboard to upload student content

  • Demonstrate laboratory techniques to students

  • Work alongside laboratory technicians to organise classes

  • Encourage active participation in classroom discussions and activities

Level III Pharmacy Assistant | Bowen's Pharmacy
21 November 2014 - 22 August 2020

  • Dispensary Technician

  • Cash Handling & Customer Service

  • Pack Dose Administration Aids

  • Deal with Customer Feedback

  • Process Returns, Refunds and Exchanges

  • Stock Management

  • Account Payments

  • Merchandise Displays

  • Unpack Orders and Restock Shelves

  • General Housekeeping

  • Basic Compounding

Junior Pharmacy Assistant | Bensville Pharmacy
7 August 2014 - 6 November 2014

  • Cash Handling & Customer Service

  • Merchandise Displays

  • Unpack Orders & Restock Shelves

  • General Housekeeping

  • Deliver Prescription Medication to Nursing, Aged and Disability Care Facilities

Education

Master of Research | Western Sydney University
2018 - 2020

Bachelor of Science (Zoology) | Western Sydney University
2015 - 2017

  • Graduated with Distinction (6.33 / 7.00 GPA)

  • Specialisation in Marine Biology

  • Based on Hawkesbury Campus

Certificate III Community Pharmacy | The Pharmacy Guild of Australia
February 2015 - June 2016

  • SIR30112

  • Specialisation in Dispensary

  • Completed as a Traineeship with Bowen's Pharmacy

Certificate II Animal Studies | Hunter TAFE
2013 - 2014

  • ACM20117

  • Completed over 2 years as a TVET course

  • Based on Wyong Campus

Higher School Certificate | Henry Kendall High School
Class of 2014

  • Graduated with an ATAR of 78

Volunteer History

Research Experience | Western Sydney University
February 2018 - 2019

  • Presence of Illicit Drugs on Public Surfaces at Sydney's Beaches

  • Assist Academics in the collection of field data

  • Manipulation of data

  • Preparation of samples for lab analysis

  • Project Managed & Supervised by Dr Michelle Ryan

Research Experience | Western Sydney University
June 2017 - 2019

  • Presence of Illicit Drugs on Picnic Tables in the Greater Sydney Region

  • Assist Academics in the collection of field data

  • Preparation of field equipment and test solutions

  • Preparation of samples for lab analysis

  • Manipulation of data for analysis

  • Use of GIS Software to analyse spatial trends

  • Preparation of manuscript

  • Project Managed & Supervised by Dr Jason Reynolds

Skills & Qualifications

Field Techniques

  • Extensive experience in water sampling techniques and field measurements for both potable and environmental waters

  • Experience in transect & quadrat sampling methods

  • Basic vertebrate and invertebrate identification

  • Limited plant identification

Laboratory Techniques

  • Experience in Liquid Chromatography (HPLC/UPLC)

  • Perform & Interpret Routine and Non-Routine Water Quality Tests

  • Experience in Mass Spectrometry (QToF/LCMS)

  • Experience in Metals Analysis (AAS)

  • Perform and Interpret IDEXX tests

  • Use and Maintenance of laboratory and field instruments

Software

  • Extensive use of Microsoft Office

  • Moderate use of ArcMap/ArcGIS Pro

  • Moderate use of GeoCortex

  • Basic Understanding of R Stats Package

  • Basic Understanding of SPSS

  • Pharmacy Software: FRED, Medspro, Webstercare, MinFOS, PlusONE, DoseAid

Qualifications

  • NSW Class C Manual Drivers Licence

  • NSW General Construction Induction (White Card)

  • NSW Working With Children Check

  • First Aid, CPR & AED

Awards

School of Science & Health | Western Sydney University

  • Dean's Merit List 2017

  • Dean's Merit List 2016

Grants & Funding

Other

Participation (Invitation Only)

  • Student Representative Judge at the Western Sydney University '3 Minute Thesis (3MT)' Finals, August 2018

  • Student Q&A Panel Member at the Western Sydney University Master of Research Mid-Year Intake Orientation, July 2018

  • Video Feature for the Western Sydney University Learning Futures Showcase, November 2017

  • Student Representative at the Western Sydney University School of Science & Health Review Panel, October 2017

  • Student Representative at the Western Sydney University School of Science & Health Course Experience Meeting, October 2017

Mentoring