Emily J Flies

Emily was raised in upstate New York where she developed a keen interest in humans and nature. Her first degree was a bachelor of arts from the University at Buffalo where she studied anthropology and psychology to better understand human nature. She then travelled and worked for a few years as an outdoor educator, cultivating New York City teenagers' knowledge and love of nature. Through these experiences, Emily developed a curiosity about how the environment impacts human health, and this motivated her to return to school for a graduate degree.

She completed a Master's degree in disease ecology at Michigan State University (2008-2011) studying the role of native birds in the transmission ecology of a tick-borne bacteria (Anaplasma phagocytophilum). Her PhD in Adelaide, Australia (2012-2016) examined the ecology and epidemiology of Ross River virus. During her PhD studies she became interested in how microbes from nature can also improve human health and she co-led the development of the United Nations-affiliated Healthy Urban Microbiomes Initiative from 2018-2020.

Emily is currently a Senior Lecturer at the University of Tasmania where she coordinates the Nature, People, Place (KGA172) unit in Geography, Planning and Spatial Sciences and Developing your creative and entrepreneurial potential (KGA102) in the Diploma of Sustainable Living. Previously, Emily developed and coordinated the Backyard Biodiversity online unit (KPZ006) from 2019-2023 and led the development of the major in sustainability where she co-developed and lectures in the capstone unit, Change agents in Sustainability (KGA301).

Her research focusses on the relationship between nature and health and how nature can help create healthy and sustainable communities. Emily co-leads the 'sustainable people-environment interactions' research theme of the National Environmental Science Program's 'Sustainable Communities and Waste Hub' and is an Associate Investigator in the Healthy Environments and Lives Network.

Emily is also an award-winning science communicator. She has co-founded two successful Science in the Pub non-profit organisations (in Adelaide and Hobart) and is founder and director of Tasmania's Inspiring Women in STEMM Fellowship Program.