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Curtin University
Curtin Applied Geology
Lynne studying fossil pollen

Dr Lynne Milne

BA(Hons)(UWA), PhD(Qld)
Tel: +61 (0)8 9266 7097
Fax: +61 (0)8 9266 3153
Room: 312-211
L.Milne@curtin.edu.au

Academic Background

Lynne joined Curtin as a part-time senior lecturer in 2008. She has first class Honours in Geology from UWA (1981: "Palynology of Eocene sediments from near the Fraser Range, Western Australia: A preliminary study"), and was awarded a PhD from the University of Queensland (UQ) in 1998 for her thesis titled "Palynology of selected extant Proteaceae and Eocene palynofloras of Western Australia." After completing her Honours Lynne worked part-time in the Dept of Geology at UWA running palaeontology labs, field trips and giving the odd lecture, while also working as a palynological consultant to petroleum companies. Lynne worked as an electron microscopist at UQ, and held a UWA Re-Entry Postdoctoral Fellowship from 1999 until 2001. During this time she became associated with the Centre for Forensic Science at UWA in which she worked part-time until 1997. Lynne is a sessional lecturer in forensic science at Murdoch, has Honours and Postgraduate students at UWA, and works as a consultant palynologist to State and Federal police, mining and petroleum companies, Dept of Environment and Conservation and the Weather Channel.

Research Interests

Lynne's research interests revolve around the many aspects of palynology (i.e. study of fossil and modern pollen, spores, dinoflagellates, diatoms). Her greatest love is Cainozoic palynology, in particular that of the Eocene, with emphasis on biostratigraphy, palaeovegetation and palaeoenvironmental reconstruction, but she is also interested in Mesozoic palynology. Other research interests include Quaternary palynology and its implications for environmental change, the relationship between fossil and modern pollen and aerobiology (capture and identification of airborne pollen to investigate the allergenic properties of pollen from native Australian plants). After helping to solve a murder using palynology in 1998, Lynne was drawn into the world of forensic science. She has worked on numerous criminal cases, is the only Australian forensic palynologist and supervises postgraduate students in forensic palynology and geology.

Publications

Teaching Responsibilities

External Responsibilities