Christy Fellows

Dr Christy Fellows was born in Maryland, USA. She was always attracted to the natural world and this no doubt fuelled her dedication to and excitement about research and education in freshwater science, as reflected by her outstanding early career achievements. 

Christy completed Bachelor of Science degrees in both Biology and Geology at the University of Maryland, graduating with honours. She was awarded her PhD on stream metabolism, nutrient spiralling and energy flows in headwater streams from the University of New Mexico in 2000. Christy then moved to Australia for a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at Griffith University. There she took up a leadership role in research programs focussed on nutrient dynamics and benthic metabolism in contrasting systems across Australia. Christy published widely from this research, producing multiple high-impact papers, and attracting major funding and industry support. 

Christy was also heavily involved in the undergraduate Environmental Science and Ecology degree programs, including convening the popular Aquatic Ecology course and developing Australia's first Bachelor of Science in Water Resources. Throughout, Christy encouraged students of all ages to take an interest in freshwater ecosystems and an active role in addressing Australia's water issues. 

Just six years after earning her PhD, Christy was appointed Deputy Head of School in the then Griffith School of Environment. Her appointment was testament to her excellence in and dedication to both research and teaching. Christy supervised a growing team of research assistants and postgraduate students to whom she was an inspiration and valued mentor. 

Christy is missed dearly, as scientist, educator, mentor, friend and family. Her dedication, vision and talent are a great loss to the freshwater research community. To celebrate and remember Christy, the Australian Freshwater Sciences Society invites the AFSS Early Career Excellence award recipient to present the Christy Fellows Lecture at the society’s annual conference.