Jake is an ecologist and ecotoxicologist. His research primarily focuses on the ecological effects of emerging chemical pollutants in aquatic ecosystems, but also considers noise pollution, thermal pollution, and invasive species. Jake Graduated from Frankston High School in 2010, went on to complete his undergraduate degree with honours in Biological Sciences and then his PhD in Environmental Science at Monash University. Jake is now a Research Fellow at Deakin University having recently returned from a stint working at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.

Jake  came back to school to address an assembly in 2015 and again during Science Week 2024 to speak to students about his career.