Moles graduated from Victoria University of Wellington in 1997 with a BSc.[1] She then completed a PhD at Macquarie University in 2004, with a thesis titled "The Seed Size Synthesis".[2] In 2006 she undertook a postgraduate diploma in higher education, focusing on biological sciences.
Career
On completion of her PhD, Moles remained at Macquarie University where she continued her study of seed size. She moved to the University of New South Wales in 2007[3] where from her research she concluded that 92% vines worldwide twisted anticlockwise, contrary to predictions that they would follow the Coriolis effect or the sun.[4]
Moles presented "Our Relationship with Weeds" at TEDxSydney in 2012.[5]
For the World Herbivory Project, Moles visited 75 ecosystems around the world and assessed how animals and plants interact.[6] She has also studied the evolutionary changes in plants introduced to Australia.[6]
Awards and recognition
Moles was awarded the L'Oreal/UNESCO for Women in Science Fellowship in and the NSW Tall Poppy Award in 2008.[5] She was awarded the Edgeworth David Medal in 2010[6] and the Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year in 2013.
