
My research uses genetic and epigenetic data to examine population and evolutionary processes. Specifically, my research group investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying rapid evolution often seen in invasive populations and provides information used to improve the management of invasive and conserved species.
Our invasive species research is focused on cane toads and starlings but we also have projects on a variety of species in the context of conservation. I am a member of the starling genome consortium and the cane toad genome consortium.
I am a member of the Evolution & Ecology Research Centre at UNSW and the President of the Genetics Society of Australasia.
Education
PhD Conservation Genetics, UNSW, 2009
Master of Marine Science, UNSW, 2001
Bachelor of Arts, University of Virginia, 1987
My Research Supervision
Katarina Stuart, PhD candidate, “A genetic perspective on rapid adaptation in the globally invasive European starling (Sturnus vulgaris)”
Harrison Eyck, PhD candidate, “The evolution of host-parasite interactions during a biological invasion.”
Kelton Cheung, Scientia PhD candidate, “Developing genomic resources to advance the molecular ecology of invasions.”
Scarlett Li-Williams, MPhil candidate, "Including Functional Difference in Analysis of Molecular Genetic Patterns in Space”.
Tsering Chan, Honours candidate, “Using microRNA-seq and mRNA-seq to investigate parasite immunosuppression of an invasive host, the Australian cane toad (Rhinella marina).”