Dayanitha is a PhD student based at Cawthron working in the PROTECT theme of the Biosecurity Toolbox. Her research investigates the habitat requirements of native New Zealand foundation species to inform and produce ecological engineered structures that promote native species on coastal infrastructure. Prior to starting her Ph.D., Dayanitha completed her BSc and MSc at Victoria University of Wellington, interned in Becker Lab in the United States, and worked as a junior fisheries scientist in the consultancy sector.
