Jade McEwan

I am from Sydney and completed my undergrad at UNSW in Environmental Management (majoring in Marine and Coastal Science) at the end of 2024. I’m passionate about the ocean, sustainability, and finding practical ways that science can make a difference in everyday life. My interests include marine ecosystems, conservation, and sustainable use of natural resources. I’m particularly interested in how scientific knowledge can be translated into real-world outcomes that support healthy environments and resilient communities.

Supervised by: Prof. Jesmond Sammut (UNSW) and Dr Debashish Mazumder (ANSTO)

Project Title: Determining the Provenance and Quality of Harvested Seaweed Using Nuclear Analysis in Australia

Project Description: This project investigates how the quality and chemical characteristics of harvested Australian seaweed vary between locations and environmental conditions. Using nuclear and elemental analysis techniques, the research aims to determine whether seaweed can be reliably linked back to its place of origin and to identify factors that influence its nutritional value and safety. Understanding provenance is increasingly important as seaweed becomes a growing resource for food, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and environmental restoration. The project will contribute to improved traceability, quality assurance, and sustainable management of Australian seaweed industries by providing scientific tools to differentiate products and better understand environmental drivers of variation.