Meet our team.

Amy Cosby

Associate Professor Amy Cosby is a Senior Research Fellow – Agri-tech Education and Extension at CQUniversity Australia with a Bachelor of Agriculture/Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and a PhD in Precision Agriculture. Amy is a leading practitioner and researcher in the field of student and teacher engagement within the agricultural industry and has extensive experience in leading large projects with a wide range of partners. She lives and works from South Gippsland, Victoria and with her husband owns and operates a 200-cow dairy farm. Amy currently works with educators, researchers and industry professionals to develop innovative programs to increase the skills and knowledge of teachers and students in agricultural concepts, tools and systems. Amy has conducted numerous surveys with both educators and students to evaluate their current level of agricultural knowledge and perception of the industry from a range of rural and urban locations. Her objective is to use the knowledge derived from this research to design programs which showcase and attract the next generation agricultural workforce to the industry from diverse backgrounds.

Jaime Manning

Dr Jaime Manning is a lecturer in Agriculture within the School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences at CQUniversity Australia, based in Rockhampton. Currently, she teaches animal production, behaviour, welfare and new and emerging technologies into the CQUni agriculture degree program. She has a Bachelor of Animal and Veterinary Bioscience (First Class Honours) and a PhD in Precision Livestock from The University of Sydney. Jaime’s main research interests are using and incorporating technology on farm to improve the level of monitoring and welfare of livestock (cattle and sheep), whilst providing invaluable information into how we manage livestock and detect issues as they arise in extensive production systems. Her experience in livestock tracking, technology in Agriculture and research ensures that activities and professional development opportunities developed by the Agri-tech Education and Extension Research team are industry relevant and highlight current issues facing the sector.

Nicole McDonald

Dr Nicole McDonald is a social science researcher specialising in agricultural career and workforce development. She has recently completed research projects for the Australian cotton industry on the social-cognitive factors of work engagement and job satisfaction, and understanding and planning for the future of work. Her work has been published in the 2019 International Handbook of Career Guidance in a chapter on the Vocational Psychology of Agriculture. She was the 2019 recipient of the Career Development Association of Australia’s award for Excellence in Research and is an alumnus of the National Farmers Federation 2030 Leaders program. She hopes to support individuals develop their skills and capabilities in the pursuit of a safe, satisfying, and purposeful career in food and fibre, and improve the social sustainability of the agricultural industry.

Amy McCosker

Amy McCosker completed her Bachelor of Journalism at the University of Queensland in 2010 before embarking on a career within the ABC. The following years with the national broadcaster saw Amy working on radio, digital and TV projects with shows like the Queensland Country Hour and Landline. A keen interest in agriculture drew Amy to leaving the media arena to work with the agri-tech education and extension team at CQU.

Danielle Every

Dr Danielle Every is a Senior Researcher and Lecturer at CQUniversity whose work bridges psychology, wellbeing, and social inclusion. With over 15 years’ experience leading community-led, qualitative research, Danielle’s expertise spans climate change, disaster resilience, and social equity, including projects on homelessness, disaster risk reduction, and intercultural community cohesion. At CQUniversity, Danielle teaches across undergraduate and postgraduate programs, with a focus on trauma-informed, culturally safe, and inclusive learning. Danielle is also active in developing accessible wellbeing programs, including mindfulness and positive psychology initiatives for aged care and community settings. Danielle has published widely on disaster resilience, social justice, and applied wellbeing research.

Patricia Colusso

Dr Patricia Colusso is a senior research officer specialising in agriculture extension and education. She holds a Bachelor of Science (UWS), Masters in Agriculture and Environment and a PHD in Precision Livestock Technologies (USYD). Pat has also worked in extension roles such as a Biosecurity coordinator with Animal Health Australia before joining the Agri-Tech team. Pat now collaborates with educators and researchers to develop programs aimed at enhancing the skills and knowledge of the next generation. Her innovative mindset and sound understanding of ag technologies plays a crucial role in her work preparing students and professionals for the future of agriculture

 

Grace Dendle

Grace Dendle is a Project Officer in the Agri-tech Education and Extension team at Central Queensland University, where she brings hands-on agricultural experience into education and extension projects across Australia. Growing up in a rural town, Grace developed a strong passion and love for agriculture, which led her to complete a Bachelor of Agriculture with minors in Agribusiness and Sustainable Landscapes at CQU. She previously worked as a Technical Officer in the Precision Livestock Management team at CQU, Research assistant at Murdoch University and worked on her family’s commercial and stud cattle operations as well as many others in her region. Her skills include livestock monitoring, animal health, and supporting research in red meat science, pasture systems, and animal behaviours.

 

Pato Menchon

Patricia Menchon is an Agricultural Engineer with a Master's degree in Animal Production from the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at the National University of Mar del Plata (FCA-UNMdP), Argentina. She is currently pursuing a PhD at the Central University of Queensland, focusing on agricultural innovation, adoption processes, and their impact on rural communities. With a strong background in applied research, Patricia is dedicated to bridging the gap between science and practice. She thrives in multidisciplinary environments and is committed to empowering local knowledge as a foundation for strengthening the future agricultural workforce