Climate change is one of our most pressing problems, and Machine Learning and AI offer exciting new tools for increasing carbon sequestration by modelling soil and forest carbon. Dr Melanie Zeppel is using Machine Learning (ML) to address climate change, by modelling carbon sequestration. Using Machine Learning and AI to model soil and forest carbon also helps improve biodiversity and drought-resilience.

Melanie has been working in climate change and plant and soil responses to drought for 15-20 years, which has given her a passion for addressing both climate change, and the careers of women in STEM. She is a keen advocate of increasing our dialogue on how we can reduce emissions and increase carbon sequestration.

Dr Melanie Zeppel is an Associate Director at Pollination,  and an award-winning data-scientist and thought leader with more than 20 years’ experience in forest carbon, climate change, and soil carbon modelling. Melanie has led teams in tree physiological experiments and carbon markets and pioneered new tools to improve modelling and integrity in forest and soil carbon. She has been recognised for her work in climate, AI and machine learning, including as an "Emerging Leader in Climate” (2024),  being  awarded 2022 Women in AI: Agribusiness, for soil carbon modelling using Machine Learning, and the 2019 Scopus Sustainability Researcher of the year.

Melanie holds a PhD in tree physiology and a Master’s in Environmental Science and serves on the Research Advisory Committee for Australian Forest and Wood Innovations. She is a recognised authority in the broader discourse on forest carbon, AI, and climate change. She is passionate about supporting women in STEMM, a runner, and is the parent of a rainbow family including two teenage daughters, and a sweet greyhound.

Dr Melanie Zeppel is a Superstar of STEM.