Emmalie Sanders is an early career researcher and ecologist with a focus on mammals and freshwater ecology. Her main interests include identifying species response to hydrological and environmental drivers and threats to freshwater fauna, with a particular focus on semi-aquatic mammals and threatened species. Emmalie has submitted her doctoral thesis which investigated the extinction risk of freshwater mammals, developed protocols for the best monitoring methods for the rakali (Australian water rat), identified key dietary items and identified important habitat and hydrological characteristics needed to support abundant rakali populations. Her research aims to increase awareness and positivity around the rakali, especially for inclusion in freshwater monitoring programs. She is currently involved with the Murrumbidgee Flow Monitoring Evaluation and Research program and the Murray Darling Basin Authority investigating the threatened water-dependent fauna of the Basin.