Ciara has over 20 years experience in researching broadacre crop protection issues and effectively extending research results to industry. She is a respected researcher and source of plant pathology information in the Geraldton Port Zone, within WA and across Australia. On joining DPIRD (previously DAFWA) in 2001, Ciara had a brief role in farming systems and economics before moving into plant pathology research and extension, where she remains. Ciara's skillset includes designing and implementing field and laboratory experiments; diagnosing disease problems in cereals, canola and lupins; giving advice, presenting research results to growers and consultants on effective use of fungicides and other strategies to manage disease; and extension of research results.