Tarnya’s current fields of research are in the use of new and emerging technologies (e.g. thermal imaging and drones) to improve both pest animal and native wildlife detection and management. Tarnya also collaborates with universities, other State agencies and commercial providers in the development of autodetection algorithms for use on thermal footage for the detection of target species, and is frequently consulted on the design, implementation and analysis of thermal-based animal surveys. Additionally, Tarnya is a region leader for the NSW state-wide research program on improving the management of feral cats across the landscape, and determining how these control programs may benefit native wildlife.

Previously Tarnya has undertaken research projects on identifying prey species of owl through bone fragments, zoonotic disease in flying foxes, predator odours as chemical fences for grazing pests, lethal trap efficacy for grey squirrels, bait uptake rates in mouse plagues, the role of benign caliciviruses in RHDV1 resistance, the impact of multiple strains of RHDV on rabbit populations, the role of juvenile rabbits in calicivirus transmission, and has experience in ecological methods including fauna capture, handling and identification techniques.