West holds a doctor of philosophy (PhD) by thesis on "A taxonomic revision of Dodonaea (Sapindaceae) in Australia".
West completed her Bachelor of Science in 1970 with majors in Botany and Zoology from the University of Sydney, New South Wales.
[1] West has been pivotal in raising the profile of Australian plant systematics through her ongoing participation on multiple national and international associations and committees.
West is proactive in sharing her research so as to incorporate the knowledge into interactive identification packages of nationally significant groups, including eucalypts, legumes, grevilleas, orchids and tropical rainforest plants.
[1] In 2003, West was awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia for service to the advancement of botanical science and research, particularly in the field of plant systematics, to science administration and policy development, and to the establishment of Australia's Virtual Herbarium.