Meet the Detection For Good Team
Get to know us!
Dr. Megan Barnes, Founding Director
Conservation Program Director & Detection Dog Handler
BSc(Hons), Ph.D. IMDT (Distinction), FFCP, CHWI
Megan holds a Ph.D. in conservation science and ecology and has over 15 years of experience as a research scientist.
She has worked as a planner, manager, and consultant in government and industry. She is an exceptional data analyst, has analysed thousands of ecological datasets collected using hundreds of methods using a range of modeling approaches using methods from economics, ecology, and social science. Megan is a specialist in conservation decision-making and evaluation, and how we can most efficiently deliver the best conservation impact for our investment, and is passionate about conservation and monitoring that make a difference.
Megan is a certified professional dog trainer with the IMDT, a world-class institute for modern ethical dog training, earning membership with Distinction and a Certificate III in Dog Training and Behavior (Open College Network).
Megan is an operational detection dog handler, working in remote environments to detect threatened species, and member of the Australian Dog Conservation Network. Megan has also undertaken extensive safety and welfare training. Training and deploying Conservation Detection Dogs to collect data brings her skills and passions together and she collaborates with experts internationally to deliver detection dog research and applications.
Sniffer-in Chief
Merlin
Sniffer-in Chief
Merlin is a hunt line Labrador retriever, bred by our friends at Bmajic, he comes from a long line of champions. He is our founder and multi-purpose threatened species detection dog. He is also trained to detect bird and bat carcasses for wind farm surveys.
Target odour
· Bird and Bat carcasses
· Condamine Earless Dragon
· Western Underground Orchid
Fun fact: I can learn a new sniff in hardly any time!
Favourite things
Favourite activity (other than sniffing!): Retreiving things!
Favourite food: Green tripe (nom)
Favourite reward: Special tug toy AND ball at the same time
Dallas
Dallas is a Pilbara Leaf Nosed Bat roost and scat detection dog, trained by our friends at Nocturnal Ecology in Queensland. She is handled by founder Megan, and taught her the ropes. She is experienced in detection of very cryptic low-volume odour, and large landscape searches. She is a goofy blonde labrador retriever with a heart of gold. Her joy and work ethic make her a dream to work with.
Target: Pilbara Leaf Nosed Bats
Favourite things
Favourite activity: Running
Favourite food: Cheese
Favourite reward: Ball!
Evie
Evie is a Pilbara Leaf Nosed Bat roost and scat detection dog, based with our friends at Nocturnal Ecology in Queensland. She is handled by founder Megan. She has a playful soul, a super nose, and incredible drive, making her a great partner in detection. She and Meg learned the ropes of in-field detection together and share a special bond.
Target: Pilbara Leaf Nosed Bats
Favourite things
Favourite activity (other than sniffing!): Splashing
Favourite food: Hot Dogs
Favourite reward: Hot Dogs… or Ball!
Dr. Alice Domenichini, Senior Research Scientist
Trainer, Lab Manager
BSc(Hons), MSc, Ph.D. IMDT, FFCP, CHWI
Alice has a PhD in Genetics and Molecular Biology, focusing on behavioural genetics and the influence of maternal genetics on innate behaviour. Alice has nearly 20 years of experience as a lab research scientist and project coordinator. Alice’s research focus for the past ten years has been understanding the changes in metabolic processes that occur during cancer development and progression, including identifying potential factors for early diagnosis, working with some of the best in the field in WA and internationally, most recently based at the Harry Butler Institute. Alice is passionate about early diagnosis of malignancies to enhance the chances of delivering more effective therapeutic interventions.
Alice is also certified professional dog trainer with the IMDT and holds a Certificate III in Dog Training and Behaviour. She is the head of the dog training team at Western Australian Assistance and Therapy Dogs Inc. Alice trains Assistance Dogs to respond to their handler’s medical conditions including PTSD, POTs, anxiety, and panic attacks, as well as other lifesaving tasks such as CPR! In her down time Alice competes in ANKC trials with her two hounds Willow and Ziggy.
Medical detection with a focus on early intervention brings together Alice’s two domains of expertise, and with her unique skill set she is an incredible asset to the team.
Dr. Jeremy Ringma
Principal Ecologist, Data Analytics
BSc (Zoology) Hons, PhD (Conservation Science and Ecology)
Jeremy holds a Bachelor of Science in Zoology, an Honors in evolution and kinematics, and is a PhD research scientist with over 15 years of experience in conservation research and practice, working in research, land management, NGOs, and as a consulting ecologist.
He is an outstanding field naturalist, fauna ecologist, and critical thinker. His experience is especially valuable for the depth of his experience across all Australian Vertebrates, as an exceptional spatial analyst.
At dfg, Jeremy is responsible for data analytics. He has extensive experience in data collection, handling, and analysis using a range of quantitative methods, and working with partners to deliver products that meet their needs.
Help us
Make the world a better place!
Your donation can make a difference in our fight to preserve the natural world and advance the science of detection dogs in conservation and health. Every dollar counts and helps us train and deploy highly skilled detection dog teams for environmental and health applications. Together, we can make a better world.