Who We Are

Darryl brings decades of experience in statistical ecology, guiding clients through the complexities of species monitoring and environmental assessments with tailored, data-driven solutions. With expertise in species occurrence models, he ensures that his insights are not only precise but also practical for decision-making.

Since co-founding Proteus in 2000, Darryl has worked closely with clients to develop statistical models for environmental monitoring programs. His portfolio spans wildlife population studies, conservation planning, and environmental impact assessments.

In addition to his work at Proteus, Darryl holds an honorary Associate Professor position at the University of Otago and has authored 60 publications in leading ecological journals. He is also the lead author of Occupancy Estimation and Modelling: Inferring Patterns and Dynamics of Species Occurrence.

Known for balancing statistical rigour with practical solutions, Darryl helps clients turn data into meaningful actions that support environmental goals.

Outside of work, Darryl is an avid rugby and touch rugby player, fisherman, and waterskier. His best fishing story is catching a 16lb salmon on 4lb trout gear in a river where salmon were thought to be absent—a clear case of a “false absence”!

Abby specializes in translating complex environmental data into clear, actionable insights, helping clients develop effective strategies for managing vulnerable species and ecosystems. With a focus on population models and expertise in Bayesian hierarchical techniques, she delivers solutions that are both robust and practical.

Abby joined Proteus in 2024 and is completing her PhD in quantitative ecology at the University of Washington. Her work revolves around building models that address the challenges of endangered species monitoring and conservation, ensuring clients can confidently act on the results.

Known for simplifying complex datasets, Abby ensures her solutions are easy for clients to apply while maintaining the highest scientific standards.

Surprising fact: At home, Abby chases around six chickens—Reversible, Jump, Markov, Chain, Monte, and Carlo—all named after a type of statistical algorithm. 

Rachel uses advanced spatial analysis techniques to help clients understand species distributions and habitat use, supporting smarter conservation decisions with accurate data insights. She is skilled in species distribution modeling, home range estimators, and GIS tools such as R, ArcGIS, and QGIS.

Rachel completed her PhD at the University of Otago in 2022, where she studied the marine foraging distribution of yellow-eyed penguins/hoiho. She joined Proteus to bring her spatial expertise to ecological projects, building practical solutions that address conservation challenges.

In addition to her technical skills, Rachel has a strong interest in relational database management and developing tools for wildlife monitoring, ensuring data is accessible and easy to visualize.

Heloise combines her passion for marine mammals with expertise in statistical modelling, delivering reliable tools that help clients track and manage wildlife populations with confidence. With over 13 years of experience, she applies methods such as distance sampling, mark-recapture, and survival analysis to ecological data.

After completing her PhD in Statistics at the University of Otago in 2021, Heloise joined Proteus to focus on building customized models for environmental monitoring projects. She uses both Bayesian and frequentist approaches to ensure her solutions are adaptable and scientifically sound.

Heloise’s extensive work with whale and dolphin populations across the globe equips her with the precision and expertise needed to support complex marine conservation projects.

Surprising fact: Heloise is also a certified Hatha yoga instructor.

Stefan applies cutting-edge quantitative methods to fisheries and wildlife data, making complex statistical models accessible for clients through intuitive, practical solutions. He specializes in Bayesian statistics, state-space modelling, and developing Shiny Apps to streamline data analysis.

Originally from Germany, Stefan completed his PhD in Zoology at the University of Otago in 2016, where he studied the population dynamics of New Zealand sea lions. He has served as the principal investigator on multiple fisheries modeling projects for the Ministry for Primary Industries, New Zealand.

Stefan’s ability to translate complex statistical findings into user-friendly tools allows clients to make informed decisions with confidence. A full list of his publications is available on ResearchGate.

Surprising fact: Stefan spends most of his time in the outdoors surfing and rock climbing. 

Anna develops advanced statistical models that help clients uncover patterns in complex spatial data, delivering reliable insights for environmental monitoring and conservation efforts. With expertise in statistical programming and Bayesian hierarchical models, she ensures her solutions meet both scientific and practical needs.

Since joining Proteus in 2024, Anna has focused on building spatial models tailored to the challenges her clients face, helping them translate data into meaningful outcomes. Her skills in designing Bayesian models and analyzing spatial data allow organizations to make informed decisions with confidence.

Anna combines technical precision with a practical approach, ensuring her work is both rigorous and easy to apply.

Whether working on habitat assessments, species monitoring, or ecological management, she provides clients with the tools they need to succeed.

Email: melanie@proteus.co.nz

Melanie helps clients navigate environmental challenges by providing data-driven insights and practical solutions for environmental management.

With experience across industries like land development, infrastructure, and utilities, she has delivered ecological impact assessments and management plans that align with both regulatory requirements and sustainability goals.

Adept in statistical analysis, Melanie specializes in compliance monitoring and modelling for restoration activities, ensuring clients receive reliable data to guide their decisions. She excels at science communication, translating complex ecological findings into clear, actionable outcomes for both technical and non-technical audiences.

Melanie also leverages social media to share key insights and raise environmental awareness, connecting communities and stakeholders with critical ecological issues.

Whether working on environmental compliance or restoration projects, Melanie focuses on delivering solutions that make a meaningful impact.

Surprising fact: Melanie is an accomplished Latin American dancer, fluent in various styles—but her heart belongs to Brazilian Zouk.

Sara brings a unique blend of business systems expertise and agricultural consulting to Proteus. Her career spans roles in project management, commodity trading, and key account management, helping agriculture-focused clients with strategic insights and operational improvements.

In recent years, Sara has collaborated with organizations such as the Invermay Agricultural Research Centre, AgResearch, GreenLight Corporation, and the University of Otago. She also co-owns Disease Research Limited, specializing in diagnostics for Johne’s Disease and Tuberculosis within ruminant and deer industries.

At Proteus, Sara supports business systems operations, ensuring seamless project delivery and efficient processes for our clients.

Surprising fact: Sara has appeared in five commercials for NZ, China, El Salvador and the U.S!