Five minutes with: Marine Biology intern, Megan “Saville” Wall

From North Carolina to North Queensland, Megan “Saville” Wall has travelled far, both geographically and professionally, to further her career as a marine scientist.

Initially driven by an obsession with sharks, studying marine biology expanded Saville’s passion and in mid-2023 she moved to Townsville to begin postgraduate studies. The move marked more than just an academic milestone, it was her first time on a plane, and a leap far outside her comfort zone. However, it’s a decision she is incredibly grateful for.

“Living and studying in the Great Barrier Reef region has been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I feel so fortunate to be part of this community,” she reflects.

Currently wrapping up a Master’s degree at James Cook University, Saville recently completed a joint internship with the Healthy Waters Partnership for the Dry Tropics, in collaboration with our partner CSIRO, where she explored the connections between communities and their waterways.

Marine biology intern, Megan “Saville” Wall, enjoying the coastal waters around Townsville, North Queensland.

Charting the human connection to waterways

Drawing upon her outstanding data skills, Saville worked on a large-scale socio-economic survey focused on community perceptions of waterways that span the five Regional Report Card Partnerships, where the Healthy Waters Partnership is one of the five.

Conducted in collaboration with CSIRO’s Social and Economic Long-Term Monitoring Program (SELTMP), the 2024 survey was designed to track how people interact with, value, and perceive their local waterways; vital ecosystems that underpin regional culture, recreation, and livelihoods.

“My role was central to transforming raw survey data into meaningful insights,” explains Saville. “I managed and analysed the dataset, created visual figures, and compiled results to support the production of each region’s annual Report Card.”

A snapshot of Saville’s work, turning data into visual figures.

The Report Cards paint an independent picture of waterway health. Integrating environmental data and community sentiment will better help the Partnership’s to promote and enhance community stewardship of waterways across the Great Barrier Reef catchment.

One of the highlights of Saville’s internship was comparing the 2024 data with results from a similar survey in 2021.

“It was fascinating to see how public attitudes have shifted over a few years,” said Saville. “Whether people are using waterways for fishing, cultural practices, or simply enjoying their beauty, it’s clear they play an integral part in everyone’s lives.”

Kayaking the Ross River in Townsville. Photo: Jo Hurford

Expanding academic horizons

Beyond sharpening her technical skills in data interpretation and increasing her communication prowess, the internship also expanded Saville’s academic horizons. Whilst her studies focus on marine biology, she has long been interested in the human dimensions of environmental science.

“The internship has reshaped my scientific outlook and deepened my interest in bridging the gap between science and community engagement. That’s a perspective I hope to carry into my future career,” said Saville.

With graduation around the corner, Saville is looking ahead. She plans to return to the United States to gain more hands-on field experience, with an eye on pursuing a PhD in the years to come, and ultimately, becoming a professor.

“My dream is to help educate and inspire the next generation of marine biologists, as well as engage the broader public in the importance of conserving our marine environments.”

Expanding the dataset

The SELTMP project, implemented by CSIRO, has received additional funding. CSIRO will continue working with the Healthy Waters Partnership and other Regional Report Card Partnerships, which will provide continuity and enhancement of ‘human dimensions’ monitoring in the Great Barrier Reef catchments.

The growing body of data will help Reef managers make more informed decisions that support the health of the Great Barrier Reef and the needs of the people who rely on it.

The project, “Integrated human dimension monitoring and reporting for adaptive management of the Great Barrier Reef: 2025–2029," is funded by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

For more information, please visit https://research.csiro.au/seltmp/

And stay tuned, as each Partnership dives into Saville’s reports to see what their communities are saying about their local rivers, creeks, and coasts.