Augustine completed his PhD under the supervision of Prof Alan Baker (Phytotechnology Research Group). He developed strategies for the phytostabilization of arsenic and sulphur rich gold mine tailings in the Victorian goldfields. He is working together with Drew King, Alan Baker and Spas Kolev (Chemistry) to further enhance the quality of ecological restoration of these hostile substrates in order to ensure safe and sustainable landforms after mining has ceased. He is interested in understanding the fate of toxic elements and their impacts on highly disturbed and remade ecosystems.