EPA celebrates its researchers for National Science Week

EPA Victoria has put the spotlight on the achievements of its cutting-edge researchers to celebrate National Science Week 2026.

While the environmental watchdog is best known for holding polluters to account and supporting Victoria's emergency services when things go wrong, it's the work of the dedicated science team that underpins it all.

"Science is at the core of everything we do," EPA Victoria’s Chief Environmental Scientist, Dr Jen Martin, said.

"Science provides the evidence that informs our decisions. It helps us understand environmental risks, identify emerging issues and develop effective regulatory responses.

"From researching pollutants and monitoring environmental conditions to analysing data and assessing impacts on human health and ecosystems, science ensures EPA’s policies, standards and guidance are grounded in the best available evidence.

"Science also plays a critical role in compliance and enforcement. We use scientific data, monitoring, testing, environmental forensics and risk assessment to detect potential breaches, investigate incidents and gather evidence."

Dr Martin said some of science's recent work included:

• Collaborating with Macquarie University to create a world-first formula for measuring tyre stockpiles via drone.

• Developing agricultural PFAS management strategies in conjunction with leading researchers in the US and Europe.

• Harnessing emerging technologies such as real‑time monitoring sensor networks, autonomous platforms and AI.

• Developing protocols for emergency animal disposal for outbreaks of diseases such as the current H5N1 bird flu.

• Working on better methods for holistically assessing community health impacts, integrating research on environmental monitoring, epidemiology, socio-economic analysis and place-based data.

• Supporting the circular economy through research on sustainable materials, waste and pollution prevention, lifecycle impacts and safe decarbonisation pathways.