ACADEMIC PROSPECTUS 2018 - MONASH BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES - Monash University
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ACADEMIC PROSPECTUS 2018 MONASH BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
THE SCHOOL HAS A GLOBAL NETWORK OF COLLABORATORS THAT INCLUDES THE UNIVERSITY SECTOR, NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, INDUSTRY AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES. OUR NETWORK IS CONSTANTLY EXPANDING AND WE WELCOME CONTACT FROM ANYONE WHO WOULD BE INTERESTED IN WORKING WITH US
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Message from the Head of School 4 Dr Rohan Clarke 14
Seabird ecology and oil spill response
Associate Professor Sureshkumar Balasubramanian 5 Unmanned aerial vehicles in ecological research
Thermal responses in plants Threatened species recovery
Triplet expansions and transcriptional down regulation
Splicing code Dr Tim Connallon 15
Role of genetic constraints in evolution
Dr Jeremy Barr 6 Genetic transmission mode and evolutionary dynamics
Bacteriophage adherence to mucus (BAM) Evolutionary dynamics in species with separate sexes
Bacteriophage transcytosis
Phage therapy Dr Carly Cook 16
Decision triggers for proactive management
Professor John Bowman 7 Integrating evolutionary theory into species recovery plans
Evolution of land plants How large do protected areas need to be?
Development of seed plant leaves
Evolution of life cycles Associate Professor Damian Dowling 17
Mitochondria, maternal inheritance and male health
Dr Rowan Brookes 8 Mitochondrial-nuclear interactions
Science education Understanding Ageing
Employability skills
Interdisciplinary education Associate Professor Alistair Evans 18
Evolution, function and development of mammal teeth
Associate Professor Rob Bryson-Richardson 9 Control of serial structure development in animals
Neuromuscular disease Cyberanatomy of Australian mammals
Chaperones as causes and modifiers of neuromuscular disease
Sarcomeric structure and function Professor Ros Gleadow 19
Regulation of cyanide deployment in tropical crops
Associate Professor Martin Burd 10 Wild crop relatives as a source of genomic diversity and stress tolerance
Why did heterospory evolve? Growth/defence trade-offs and chemical ecology
The evolution of floral color
The economics of leaf-cutting ant societies Dr Chris Greening 20
Microbial life in extreme environments
Dr Richard Burke 11 Energetics of human pathogens
Intracellular chloride transport in cell growth, survival Role of microorganisms in greenhouse gas cycling
Animal models of copper transport diseases
Systemic control of zinc distribution in animals Dr Matt Hall 21
Sex differences and the evolution of infectious disease
Associate Professor David Chapple 12 Invasion biology and host-pathogen interactions
Evolutionary ecology of squamate reptiles The consequences of global change
Macroecology of lizards
Conservation of global lizard biodiversity Dr Susie Ho 22
Interdisciplinary graduate education
Professor Steven Chown 13 Employability and sustainability
Antarctica in a global setting
Planetary well-being Dr Kay Hodgins 23
How life works The genomics of climate adaptation
Adaptation to human-induced environmental change
ACADEMIC PROSPECTUS 2018 - MONASH BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 1
THE SCHOOL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES HAS RESEARCH
STRENGTHS IN FOUR BROAD DISCIPLINE AREAS:
ECOLOGY AND ECOSYSTEMS EVOLUTION IN A CHANGING WORLD
FORM AND FUNCTION OF LIFE GENETICS, GENOMICS AND HEALTH
2 ACADEMIC PROSPECTUS 2018 - MONASH BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONTINUED)
Dr Travis Johnson 24 Associate Professor Anne Peters 34
How do perforin-like proteins control cellular signalling pathways? Effects of climate throughout the life cycle
Growth factor control in blood cell development Trade-offs between investment in sex or self-preservation
Humanising fly genes to study disease Function and honesty of sexual ornaments
Dr Francine Marques 25 Dr Matt Piper 35
Gut microbiota and their metabolites Using genomics to design dietary amino acid ratios for optimal health
MicroRNAs in hypertension How essential are essential amino acids?
Lipocalin-2 and the origins of heart failure nvestigating the molecular mechanisms by which limiting nutrients
are traded off between life history traits
Professor Dustin Marshall 26
Eco-evolutionary consequences of evolutionary shifts in body size Associate Professor Richard Reina 36
Causes and consequences of nongenetic parental effects Sea turtle reproduction and conservation
Energy budgets in individuals, populations and communities Interactions between sharks and commercial fisheries
Penguin ecology and marine ecosystem state
Dr Mike McDonald 27
Evolution with horizontal gene transfer (HGT) Associate Professor Carla Sgro 37
Co-evolution of bacteria and yeast Genetic basis of adaptation to climate change
Evolutionary enlightened conservation
Dr Matt McGee 28
Understanding vertebrate biodiversity via whole genome sequencing Professor Paul Sunnucks 38
Phylogenomics of fishes Genetic rescue of Australian wildlife
Feeding kinematics Climate adaptation in Eastern Yellow Robins
Professor Melodie McGeoch 29 Professor Craig White 39
Improved methods for estimating biodiversity The evolution of biological scaling
Advancing the evidence-base for dealing with invasion The evolution of breathing patterns
Understanding biodiversity responses to global change The evolution of energy balance
Dr Christen Mirth 30 Associate Professor Bob Wong 40
Environmental regulation of body size and shape Sexual selection and parental care
How the nutritional composition of the diet alters traits Behavioural responses to human-induced environmental change
Genetic variation in plasticity Behavioural ecotoxicology
Dr Keyne Monro 31
Evolutionary consequences of environmental change
Phenotypic plasticity
Life history evolution
Dr Joslin Moore 32
Resource allocation for conservation management
Predicting landscape-scale wind dispersal
Grassland ecology and conservation
Professor Moira O’Bryan 33
The importance of microtubule in male germ development
The genetic causes of human male infertility
Novel mechanisms of protein transport
ACADEMIC PROSPECTUS 2018 - MONASH BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 3
MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
THE SCHOOL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES HAS RESEARCH STRENGTHS IN FOUR BROAD
DISCIPLINE AREAS:
ECOLOGY AND ECOSYSTEMS;
EVOLUTION IN A CHANGING WORLD;
FORM AND FUNCTION OF LIFE; AND
GENETICS, GENOMICS, AND HEALTH.
Research within, and across, these areas addresses key problems in biology that encompass:
molecular and cellular genetics; evolutionary genetics of life histories, disease causality, adaptation
to environmental change and disease resistance; community ecology and ecosystem functioning;
the impacts on biodiversity, and strategies to mitigate major environmental challenges. Simplistically,
we are interested in all forms of life, the interactions between the environment and genetics / genomics
and strategies to improve human and environmental health.
This research is undertaken in freshwater, marine, and terrestrial environments, from the tropics to
the Antarctic, and in state-of-the-art laboratory settings. Investigations span a range of organisms,
from unicellular algae and bacteria to plants, invertebrates and vertebrates including humans. Members
of the School contribute to the work of several international conventions and agreements, and play
leading roles in professional societies spanning evolution, ecology, developmental biology, the
environment, and human health.
The School has a global network of collaborators that includes the university sector, not-for-profit
organizations, industry and government agencies. Our network is constantly expanding and we
welcome contact from anyone who would be interested in working with us.
MOIRA K. O’BRYAN
Professor and Head
4 ACADEMIC PROSPECTUS 2018 - MONASH BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR SURESHKUMAR BALASUBRAMANIAN
PHENOTYPES TO GENES AND MECHANISMS RESEARCH GROUP
Email: sureshkumar.balasubramanian@monash.edu
RESEARCH FOCUS RESEARCH AREAS
My lab aims to understand how plants sense and respond Thermal responses in plants
to changes in temperature and how they adapt to varied
environmental conditions at the molecular and mechanistic My group is interested to understand how plants sense
level. and respond to changes in ambient temperatures. Even
minor changes in temperature can affect plant growth and
AREAS OF EXPERTISE development and we know very little about the underlying
mechanisms for this response. We use Arabidopsis to address
Molecular biology, genetics and genomics this question.
QTL analysis, gene cloning and characterisation Triplet expansions and transcriptional down regulation
Arabidopsis genetics and natural variation
Triplet expansions in introns can cause transcriptional down
Omics approaches regulation and lead to diseases such as Friedreich’s ataxia,
a debilitating disease with no treatment options. We use
Interdisciplinary computational approaches Arabidopsis as a model to understand how repeat expansions
can cause transcriptional down regulation at the molecular level.
Splicing code
Splicing is a critical process and majority of the eukaryotic
genes undergo alternative splicing. It is unclear as to how
the specificity of splicing is achieved. We use Marchantia
polymorpha, due to its reduced complexity to understand
and develop the splicing code that determines the specificity
of splicing.
ACADEMIC PROSPECTUS 2018 - MONASH BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 5
DR JEREMY BARR
BACTERIOPHAGE BIOLOGY RESEARCH GROUP
Email: jeremy.barr@monash.edu
RESEARCH FOCUS RESEARCH AREAS
The Barr lab studies bacteriophage–viruses that infect Bacteriophage adherence to mucus (BAM)
bacteria– and the tri-partite symbioses formed between
bacteriophage, their bacterial hosts and eukaryotic cells The bacteriophage adherence to mucus (BAM) model provides
and surfaces. Bacteriophages control bacterial populations, a ubiquitous, but non-host derived, immunity mediated by
prevent infection, and have important roles in the human body. phages that is applicable to all mucosal surfaces. The BAM
model protects mucosal epithelium from bacterial infection
and disease via phage-mediated affects.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Phage biology Bacteriophage transcytosis
Microfluidics Bacteriophage cannot infect eukaryotic cells in the same way
they infect their bacterial host cells. We demonstrate that
Mucosal surfaces phages are endocytosed and transported across epithelial
cell layers. Cell biology experiments reveal novel mechanism
Phage-eukaryote symbioses of phage-eukaryote interactions.
Phage therapy
Antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections are one of the greatest
biological threats of the coming century. Here we use phages
to treat bacterial infections that are completely resistant to
all antibiotics and investigate the genetic, molecular and
biochemical changes associated with these treatments.
6 ACADEMIC PROSPECTUS 2018 - MONASH BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
PROFESSOR JOHN BOWMAN
LAND PLANT RESEARCH GROUP
Email: john.bowman@monash.edu
RESEARCH FOCUS RESEARCH AREAS
The origin of a land flora profoundly altered earth’s geology Evolution of land plants
and the evolution of life. We utilize genetic and genomics
approaches to understand the evolution and development We use comparative genomics and genetics to ascertain the
of land plants using both angiosperm (Arabidopsis) and function and evolution of genes and genetic networks across
liverwort (Marchantia) model systems. land plant diversity. We utilize the flowering plant Arabidopsis
thaliana and the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha as model
systems as each is genetically tractable.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Land plant development Development of seed plant leaves
Land plant evolution Seed plants leaves evolved from an ancestral shoot system
and therefore likely retain genetic programs that have been
Leaf development modified from their original role in directing shoot development.
We are characterizing the genetic networks that direct leaf
Comparative genomics lamina development and elaboration.
Eukaryotic life cycles Evolution of life cycles
The eukaryotic life cycle alternates between haploid and
diploid stages, punctuated by gamete fusion and meiosis.
The transition to a diploid gene expression regime is regulated
in a similar manner across eukaryotes and we are exploring
how this system was co-opted to pattern development in the
land plant diploid stage.
ACADEMIC PROSPECTUS 2018 - MONASH BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 7
DR ROWAN BROOKES
SCIENCE EDUCATION RESEARCH GROUP
Email: rowan.brookes@monash.edu
RESEARCH FOCUS RESEARCH AREAS
We are an interdisciplinary research group broadly focused Science education
on education for social change. Our areas of interest span
across gender in science education and the development We partner on research projects to enhance science
of employability skills in science graduates through to education at universities. Current projects include exploring
experiential and design-orientated educational practices. the cost and value of introducing new pedagogical approaches
and examining the gendered experience of science students.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE Employability skills
Education for Social Change
We are interested in questions related to the development
Science Education of employability skills through the undergraduate science
curriculum. Our questions focus on the development of
Employability Skills leadership and teamwork skills to support work and life ready
science graduates.
Interdisciplinary Education
Interdisciplinary education
We have an interdisciplinary collaboration with the Monash
Design Department and the WonderLab research group
focused on a design-led exploration of education for social
change. Current projects explore themes of embodiment and
social intelligence in education.
8 ACADEMIC PROSPECTUS 2018 - MONASH BIOLOGICAL SCIENCESASSOCIATE PROFESSOR ROB BRYSON-RICHARDSON
NEUROMUSCULAR DISEASE RESEARCH GROUP
Email: robert.bryson-richardson@monash.edu
RESEARCH FOCUS RESEARCH AREAS
The Bryson-Richardson lab focuses on neuromuscular Neuromuscular disease
disease, spanning the spectrum from identification of new
disease genes, to determination of the underlying biological We are interested in studying the causes of muscle weakness
mechanism, and subsequently evaluation of potential therapies. in inherited muscle disease. We then apply the knowledge we
learn towards the identification of potential therapies. We currently
investigate a wide range of myopathies and neuropathies with
AREAS OF EXPERTISE a particular interest in nemaline and myofibrillar myopathies.
Zebrafish
Chaperones as causes and modifiers of neuromuscular
Genome editing disease
Microscopy We are investigating neuromuscular diseases resulting from
mutation of chaperone proteins. We are also interested in
Drug screening the role of chaperones in protecting against misfolded and
damaged protein and their potential to modify disease severity.
Video tracking
Sarcomeric structure and function
We are interested in how muscle structure is established and
maintained. In particular the M-line and Z-disk, the sites of thick
and thin filaments attachment respectively.
ACADEMIC PROSPECTUS 2018 - MONASH BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 9ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR MARTIN BURD
EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGY RESEARCH GROUP
Email: martin.burd@monash.edu
RESEARCH FOCUS RESEARCH AREAS
Evolutionary ecology is the study of the ecological context Why did heterospory evolve?
of adaptations and innovations in the history of life. The
Evolutionary Ecology Lab studies reproductive evolution in Heterospory is the equivalent in land plants of the male-female
land plants, leaf function in eucalypts, and collective social distinction present in the gametes of eukaryotes. It led to
behaviours in ant colonies. the evolution of the earth’s current dominant seed-plant
vegetation, but there are no good explanations for why it
evolved. With ARC support, we are making important new
AREAS OF EXPERTISE insights into the origin and function of heterospory.
Mathematical optimization modelling of fitness-related traits
The evolution of floral colour
Pollination ecology and plant-pollinator interactions
Flowers advertise to their animal pollinators. This communication
Phylogenetic comparative analysis must be understood in the context of the perceptual abilities
of the pollinators. We collaborate with vision scientists and
Biogeographic analysis of fitness-related traits modellers at RMIT University and the Monash IT Faculty to
investigate how this complex interaction has produced the
Self-organized social behaviour in ants
floral colours of the angiosperms.
The economics of leaf-cutting ant societies
Leaf-cutting ant colonies have the natural societies most
similar to human cities: roads, factories, and jobs that sustain
millions of inhabitants in a single place. Over three decades,
we have studied how this system works and the cost/benefit
basis of resource flows in their colony economies.
10 ACADEMIC PROSPECTUS 2018 - MONASH BIOLOGICAL SCIENCESDR RICHARD BURKE
ION TRANSPORT AND METABOLISM RESEARCH GROUP
Email: richard.burke@monash.edu
RESEARCH FOCUS RESEARCH AREAS
To determine the regulation and biological roles of inorganic Intracellular chloride transport in cell growth, survival
micronutrients such as zinc, copper, and chloride in animal
health and development. Loss of endolysosomal chloride transport via the voltage-gated
Chloride Channel (ClC) proteins results in diseases as diverse
as kidney failure, neurodegeneration and fragile bones. Using
AREAS OF EXPERTISE mutations generated in Drosophila ClC proteins, we are
Metal ion transport and homeostasis determining the role of intracellular chloride transport in the
growth and survival of epithelial cells.
Animal models of neurodegeneration
Animal models of copper transport diseases
Drosophila developmental and molecular genetics
Mutations in the human ATP7A and ATP7B copper export genes
Drosophila male germline development result in a variety of disorders including copper deficiency,
copper toxicity and motor neurone diseases. We are modelling
the effects of several of these pathogenic mutations in Drosophila
and screening for drugs able to enhance the activity of mutant
ATP7 proteins.
Systemic control of zinc distribution in animals
Zinc is an essential nutrient required as a catalytic or structural
cofactor for thousands of proteins. We are investigating how
neuropeptide signals emanating from the animal gut may be
regulating systemic responses to dietary zinc excess or deficiency.
ACADEMIC PROSPECTUS 2018 - MONASH BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 11ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DAVID CHAPPLE
EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGY OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE RESEARCH GROUP
Email: david.chapple@monash.edu
RESEARCH FOCUS RESEARCH AREAS
I examine the evolutionary ecology of environmental change. Evolutionary ecology of squamate reptiles
I use a range of approaches to examine the response of animals
to both historical and contemporary (i.e. human-induced) I use the delicate skink (Lampropholis delicata) as a model
environmental change. I investigate species that expand their system for examining a range of key questions and hypotheses
ranges and those that decline their ranges. in behavioural and evolutionary ecology. The topics span life
history, invasion ecology, morphological evolution, reproduction,
the maintenance of genetic variation.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Evolutionary and behavioural ecology Macroecology of lizards
Conservation biology I use a comparative database of the distribution, life history,
ecology, and morphology of the world’s lizard fauna to
Invasive species and biosecurity address a range of key evolutionary, biogeographic and
macroecological hypotheses.
Phylogenetics and biogeography
Conservation of global lizard biodiversity
Lizards
I am working with the International Union for Conservation
of Nature (IUCN) to assess the conservation status of the
world’s lizard fauna. This knowledge is used to conduct
comparative analyses to identify the drivers of extinction risk,
conservation hotspots, and prioritise conservation efforts.
12 ACADEMIC PROSPECTUS 2018 - MONASH BIOLOGICAL SCIENCESPROFESSOR STEVEN CHOWN
THE CHOWN LAB
Email: steven.chown@monash.edu
RESEARCH FOCUS RESEARCH AREAS
Our research is concerned with the processes and Antarctica in a global setting
mechanisms underlying variation in the diversity of life
through space and time, and the applied value of this Antarctica and the Southern Ocean encompass 30% of the
understanding for societal benefit. We work in conservation, planet’s surface. We are providing foundational knowledge
agricultural and urban settings in Australia, Southeast Asia, about Antarctic biodiversity and its global significance,
Antarctica, and Africa. My experience includes leadership and for policies to mitigate and manage the impacts of
in University, NGO and Government settings. environmental change.
Planetary well-being
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Most of us now live in cities. Even more of us will do so in the
Organizational Leadership
future. How we achieve sustainability both for ourselves and
Science and Sustainability Policy for the diversity that is the hallmark of this planet is a major
focus of our research. Revitalising Informal Settlements and
Basic and Applied Ecology their Environments is a core, interdisciplinary project.
Physiological Ecology How life works
Interdisciplinarity We have a fundamental interest in how life works – from the
way in which animals and plants adapt to their environments,
to the outcomes of their interactions with each other and their
environments. Some of this work is an exploration of life’s
fundamental beauty. Some of it has application in conservation,
engineering and medicine.
ACADEMIC PROSPECTUS 2018 - MONASH BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 13DR ROHAN CLARKE
ORNITHOLOGY AND CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT RESEARCH GROUP
Email: rohan.clarke@monash.edu
RESEARCH FOCUS RESEARCH AREAS
We work to secure biodiversity, especially as it relates to Seabird ecology and oil spill response
restoration of natural systems and recovery of threatened
species. We have a vertebrate ecology focus, with particular We work with industry to better understand seabird ecology,
expertise in avian systems. gather baseline population data and guide response
monitoring in the event of an oil spill. We have particular
expertise in Australian settings with current projects in both
AREAS OF EXPERTISE tropical and temperate marine waters.
Avian ecology
Unmanned aerial vehicles in ecological research
Vertebrate conservation biology
Across the physical sciences UAVs have the potential to act
Seabirds and oil spill monitoring and response as disruptive tech. From enhanced spatial sensing of most
environmental attributes, significant gains in precision and
Unmanned aerial vehicles in ecological research accuracy for monitoring, through to improved logistics and
field safety UAVs will change the field. We work with these
tools to improve outcomes in ecological research.
Threatened species recovery
We work with conservation partners to improve the conservation
management of threatened species. A key goal is to provide
solutions for onground managers through applied research.
We have particular expertise with seabirds and woodland birds.
14 ACADEMIC PROSPECTUS 2018 - MONASH BIOLOGICAL SCIENCESDR TIM CONNALLON
BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH GROUP
Email: tim.connallon@monash.edu
RESEARCH FOCUS RESEARCH AREAS
Mathematical models of genetic variation and evolution. Role of genetic constraints in evolution
Potential for adaptive evolution depends on both the pattern
AREAS OF EXPERTISE of natural selection on traits, and the availability of genetic
Mathematical modelling variation for trait combinations that are favoured by selection.
Genetic constraints arise when genetic variation is lacking,
Evolutionary theory and the existence of such constraints can have important
implications for evolution and extinction.
Population genetics
Genetic transmission mode and evolutionary dynamics
Quantitative genetics
Different regions of a genome have different modes of genetic
Genome evolution
transmission, and these transmission differences can affect
evolutionary dynamics. I am particularly interested in how
transmission differences between sex chromosomes, autosomes,
and mitochondria leads to distinct patterns of genetic diversity
and evolutionary divergence.
Evolutionary dynamics in species with separate sexes
Genetic variation can have different effects on the traits
expressed by females and males. This established fact has
implications for the evolution of sex differences, the genetic
architecture of female and male phenotypes, and the evolutionary
and ecological dynamics of species with distinct sexes.
ACADEMIC PROSPECTUS 2018 - MONASH BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 15DR CARLY COOK
CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT RESEARCH GROUP
Email: carly.cook@monash.edu
RESEARCH FOCUS RESEARCH AREAS
The Cook Lab is particularly interested in evidence-based Decision triggers for proactive management
decision making, both understanding barriers to the use of
evidence and developing decision support tools to facilitate How do managers know when to intervene in system they are
the evidence-based decisions. managing? This project focuses on how to use monitoring
data to identify thresholds that can trigger management action
when a system moves outside of an acceptable state. This
AREAS OF EXPERTISE project blends an understanding of ecology and conservation
Protected areas with strong quantitative skills.
Private land conservation Integrating evolutionary theory into species recovery plans
Evaluation Despite the strong relevance of evolutionary theory to
threatened species management decisions, these concepts
Social research methods are rarely used to inform management. This project will
investigate the degree to which evolutionary concepts are
Evidence synthesis
being considered within threatened species recovery plans
and what predicts the levels of adoption.
How large do protected areas need to be?
Progress in building protected areas is judged according to
the total area protected and the number of species they contain.
This project will consider whether these areas are likely to
enable the species they contain to persist there over time.
Skills in spatial analysis will be an advantage in this project.
16 ACADEMIC PROSPECTUS 2018 - MONASH BIOLOGICAL SCIENCESASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DAMIAN DOWLING
THE EXPERIMENTAL EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY RESEARCH GROUP
Email: damian.dowling@monash.edu
RESEARCH FOCUS RESEARCH AREAS
Damian Dowling’s research group uses evolutionary Mitochondria, maternal inheritance and male health
approaches to resolve some of the biggest puzzles in life.
Puzzles such as why do males and females evolve striking Maternal inheritance of mitochondria means natural selection
differences in physiology and longevity, and what role do the can only shape the mitochondrial DNA through females
mitochondria play in contributing to these sex differences. (males are an evolutionary dead-end for the mtDNA). This
enables mutations to accumulate in mitochondrial genes
that harm males, but leave females unscathed. We study the
AREAS OF EXPERTISE evolution of these mutations, and their effects on male health.
Evolutionary biology
Mitochondrial-nuclear interactions
Mitochondrial evolution and contribution to health
Life’s most important function -- energy production -- is
Mitochondrial-nuclear interactions encoded by genes that span two obligate genomes; nuclear
and mitochondrial. Thus, mito-nuclear interactions are predicted
Sex differences and sexual conflict to play a key role in mediating the evolution of eukaryote life.
We study the contribution of mito-nuclear dysfunction to
Evolution of ageing
infertility, early ageing, and obesity.
Understanding Ageing
One of life’s enduring puzzles is understanding why we grow
old, and furthermore why males generally live shorter lives
than females. We use a combination of evolutionary theory,
and genetic and ecological techniques, to help understand
the evolutionary processes that have led to female-biases
in longevity.
ACADEMIC PROSPECTUS 2018 - MONASH BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 17ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR ALISTAIR EVANS
EVOMORPH RESEARCH GROUP
Email: alistair.evans@monash.edu
RESEARCH FOCUS RESEARCH AREAS
The Evans EvoMorph Lab explores the many aspects of Evolution, function and development of mammal teeth
biology that influence the shape or morphology of animals -
evolution, development and function. We gain fresh insights Teeth are the main tool used by mammals to catch, kill and
into the biology of living and extinct animals by looking at process food. We examine how they develop in the embryo,
embryology, biomechanics and behaviour. how they work through biomechanics, and how they evolve
by looking at fossils. Our findings enable us to make predictions
about their development and evolution.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
3D imaging and analysis Control of serial structure development in animals
Biomechanics Segmented or serial structures like teeth, limbs and body
segments appear to have common mechanisms that control
Teeth their development. We are examining this mechanism, the
inhibitory cascade, in trilobites, mammals and humans,
Mammal palaeontology showing how default patterns of development influence the
evolution of these structures.
Evo-devo (evolution and development)
Cyberanatomy of Australian mammals
Australia has been home to many extinct mammals, including
megafauna from the Ice Age and the recently extinct thylacine.
Often all we have of these animals is their fossil bones or
preserved specimens. We use high-resolution 3D imaging
and analysis to put flesh back on these bones and reconstruct
the life and times of these enigmatic fauna.
18 ACADEMIC PROSPECTUS 2018 - MONASH BIOLOGICAL SCIENCESPROFESSOR ROS GLEADOW
PLANT ECOPHYSIOLOGY RESEARCH GROUP
Email: ros.gleadow@monash.edu
RESEARCH FOCUS RESEARCH AREAS
We study the impact of climate change on food security Regulation of cyanide deployment in tropical crops
by analysing how environmental challenges affect trade
-offs between growth and defence. The focus is on plants We study how growth and composition of crops are affected
that make cyanide that cause death and illness in animals, by rising sea levels, temperatures, CO 2 and drought using
including humans, cattle and koalas in order we can develop whole plant and molecular methods. Crops include cassava,
safer crops. sorghum and taro.
Wild crop relatives as a source of genomic diversity and
AREAS OF EXPERTISE stress tolerance
Whole plant phenomics and dynamic imaging
Wild crop relatives are an important source of genetic
Plant growth analysis and photosynthesis diversity to improve cultivated crops. This project examines
the diversity of the wild relatives of sorghum as a model for
Genetic technologies (mutagenesis, CRISPR, qPCR, cDNA, understanding how and why cyanogenesis evolved.
sequencing etc.)
Growth/defence trade-offs and chemical ecology
Biospectroscopy (Raman, FTIR)
The trade-off in investment in growth or defence is a function
Chemical analysis (HPLC, GCMS, colorimetry etc.) of the environment and evolutionary history. This research
area assesses the relative costs of synthesising chemical
defence under different environmental conditions in native
and invasive plants in the field.
ACADEMIC PROSPECTUS 2018 - MONASH BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 19DR CHRIS GREENING
INTEGRATIVE MICROBIOLOGY RESEARCH GROUP
Email: chris.greening@monash.edu
RESEARCH FOCUS RESEARCH AREAS
Our research investigates how microorganisms persist in Microbial life in extreme environments
extreme environments. We use interdisciplinary approaches
to determine how environmentally and medically important Microorganisms are abundant and diverse in many of the
bacteria stay energised in their persistent state. most extreme ecosystems on earth. Our research, spanning
ecosystems as diverse as Antarctic deserts, oil reservoirs,
and hot springs, is investigating how microorganisms stay
AREAS OF EXPERTISE energised and generate biomass in such environments.
Bioenergetics
Energetics of human pathogens
Microbial physiology
Tuberculosis, now the leading killer from infectious disease
Microbial ecology worldwide, is a disease of persistence. We’re investigating how
this superbug stays energised in its notoriously difficult-to-kill
Greenhouse gases latent stage, providing foundations to develop next-generation
antibiotic treatments.
Tuberculosis
Role of microorganisms in greenhouse gas cycling
We have shown that soil microorganisms survive nutrient
starvation by consuming the climate-relevant atmospheric
trace gases hydrogen, methane, carbon monoxide, and
carbon dioxide. We are performing a range of studies to
better understand the biochemistry, physiology, and ecology
of these processes.
20 ACADEMIC PROSPECTUS 2018 - MONASH BIOLOGICAL SCIENCESDR MATT HALL
EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS RESEARCH GROUP
Email: matthew.hall@monash.edu
RESEARCH FOCUS RESEARCH AREAS
Our research focuses on the evolution of host-pathogen Sex differences and the evolution of infectious disease
interactions, with a focus on the causes and consequences
of variation in host susceptibility and pathogen virulence. A Sex differences in the intensity of infection are universal.
key theme is to understand the impacts of male and female One sex is often described as the “sicker sex”, with females
differences on the evolution and spread of infectious disease. typically more susceptible to infection in invertebrates, versus
males in mammals and birds. We aim to understand how
such differences have evolved and the consequences they
AREAS OF EXPERTISE have for the epidemiology and evolution of disease.
Quantitative genetics
Invasion biology and host-pathogen interactions
Host-pathogen interactions
The edge of an invading population coincides with low
Sexual dimorphism population density and high resource availability. These
altered conditions cause rapid evolution, leading to modified
Ageing and life-history theory dispersal and in the case of a pathogen, altered virulence.
We are exploring infectious disease in light of the altered
Invasion biology
demographic dynamics that occur in vanguard populations.
The consequences of global change
Global change has been linked to the increased occurrence
of diseases, but any change in the severity or occurrence
of disease will depend on the form of climate change and
specifics of the host-pathogen system. We seek to identity
the condition that lead to pathogens or hosts becoming
evolutionary winners or losers.
ACADEMIC PROSPECTUS 2018 - MONASH BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 21DR SUSIE HO
COURSE COORDINATOR, MASTER OF ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY
Email: susie.ho@monash.edu
RESEARCH FOCUS RESEARCH AREAS
Higher Education is evolving to reflect our rapidly changing Interdisciplinary graduate education
world. To advance sustainability, innovative curriculum should
develop boundary-spanning capacity. Our focus is technical The modern learning environment should harness student
and professional skills development for effective work across diversity and pre-existing professional skills sets. This is an
disciplines, sectors and geographic boundaries. important factor in a curriculum that enables a variety of
future career paths and students’ capacity to work across
disciplines and sectors. We examine effective interdisciplinary
AREAS OF EXPERTISE curriculum for diverse global cohorts.
Interdisciplinary education
Employability and sustainability
Work integrated learning and employability
Sustainability-related professionals must negotiate multi-sector
Sustainability education work and complexity. Capacity to negotiatie real-world
issues should embedded through work integrated learning
Field-based learning at all levels, from authentic assessment to placements, and
in partnership with practioners. We focus upon exploring
Application of ecological theory to education design
effective methods for developing future leaders.
22 ACADEMIC PROSPECTUS 2018 - MONASH BIOLOGICAL SCIENCESDR KAY HODGINS
PLANT ECOLOGICAL GENOMICS RESEARCH GROUP
Email: kathryn.hodgins@monash.edu
RESEARCH FOCUS RESEARCH AREAS
Our research focuses on understanding genetics basis of The genomics of climate adaptation
adaptation in foundation and invasive species. Key themes
include understanding when and how plants rapidly adapt to Research in our lab focuses on identifying the regions of the
new environments and the constraints and biases that drive genome involved in climate adaptation in plant species. We
convergence in the genetic basis of adaptation are particularly interested in understanding the factors that
impact the genetic architecture of adaptation and the constraints
and biases that might limit adaptation to particular genes.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Climate adaptation Adaptation to human-induced environmental change
Ecological genomics Human activities have caused unprecedented alterations to
the environment - from changes in climate, to the introduction
Invasive species of alien species. We are interested understanding why some
species adapt and even thrive under human-altered conditions,
Plant reproductive strategies and the genetic changes underlying such rapid evolution.
Comparative genomics
ACADEMIC PROSPECTUS 2018 - MONASH BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 23DR TRAVIS JOHNSON
DEVELOPMENTAL CELL SIGNALLING RESEARCH GROUP
Email: travis.johnson@monash.edu
RESEARCH FOCUS RESEARCH AREAS
Our goal is to identify and understand the mechanisms that How do perforin-like proteins control cellular signalling
control communication between cells during development. pathways?
For this we use the model organism Drosophila melanogaster
(aka the fruit fly) and a range of powerful genetic, biochemical, Perforin-like proteins are molecular weapons deployed to
and cell biological tools and methodologies. kill foreign cells for immunity, however several have evolved
developmental roles. To better understand these, we are
studying Torso-like, a perforin-like protein that controls
AREAS OF EXPERTISE multiple signalling events in patterning, morphogenesis,
Drosophila Genetics growth and proliferation
Developmental Biology Growth factor control in blood cell development
Gene editing technology Cells circulating in the bloodstream, like cells within tissues,
require extracellular cues that tell them when to divide,
Microscopy differentiate, and die. Where do these come from and how
are they controlled? We are investigating these questions
Growth factor signalling
by looking at the development of blood cells in the fly larva.
Humanising fly genes to study disease
Over 75% of human genes that underlie disease have a fly gene
counterpart. The goal of this work is to use the fly to study
how human genes function and understand what goes wrong
in disease. We are using new genetic technologies to allow
human gene expression and patient mutation testing in flies.
24 ACADEMIC PROSPECTUS 2018 - MONASH BIOLOGICAL SCIENCESDR FRANCINE MARQUES
HYPERTENSION RESEARCH GROUP
Email: francine.marques@monash.edu
RESEARCH FOCUS RESEARCH AREAS
High blood pressure is a highly prevalent chronic disease and Gut microbiota and their metabolites
is the main risk factor for cardiovascular death. We investigate
the molecular mechanisms behind hypertension, with focus Consumption of a diet high in fibre increases gut microbiota
on disease identification and prevention. populations that generate short chain fatty acids (SCFAs). We
have determined that a diet rich in fibre or SCFA modulates gut
microbes and prevents the development of cardiovascular
AREAS OF EXPERTISE disease.
High blood pressure
MicroRNAs in hypertension
Heart failure
MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that post-transcriptionally
Genomics regulate gene expression. We study miR-181a, which is
dysregulated in the human hypertensive kidney, and miRNAs
Non-coding RNAs that regulate the noradrenaline transporter gene.
Microbiome Lipocalin-2 and the origins of heart failure
Our previous work pinpointed that lipocalin-2 (LCN2) is a
key molecule in both the origins and progression of cardiac
hypertrophy. We are now determining if LCN2 is stable in blood
and what environmental factors modulate it.
ACADEMIC PROSPECTUS 2018 - MONASH BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 25PROFESSOR DUSTIN MARSHALL
MARINE EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGY RESEARCH GROUP
Email: dustin.marshall@monash.edu
RESEARCH FOCUS RESEARCH AREAS
The Marine Evolutionary Ecology Group is developing and Eco-evolutionary consequences of evolutionary shifts
testing a new theory for how and why organisms grow. in body size
Our focus is on how the net flux of energy (energy acquired
through food, photosynthesis, or chemosynthesis minus the Body size is declining in many natural animal populations as
energy lost to metabolism) changes with size, whether it be a result of human behaviour, including the harvesting of large
cell size or total body size. individuals and increasing temperatures. This project will
use the tractability of marine study species’ to discover how
evolutionary shifts in body size alter biological processes.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Marine ecology Causes and consequences of nongenetic parental
effects
Experimental ecology
Fathers have been assumed to transmit nothing more than
Life history theory their genes to offspring. We are investigating how the paternal
environment (experienced by developing sperm) influences
Evolutionary theory reproductive and offspring success. Using an externally
fertilised marine invertebrate we investigate this without the
High throughput phenotyping
confounding effect of the maternal environment.
Energy budgets in individuals, populations and
communities
We predict that organism size is governed by a combination
of mechanistic constraints and their evolutionary optimisation,
with changes in energy flux dictating patterns of growth,
reproduction, disease resistance, and environmental tolerance.
We use experimental and quantitative approaches to investigate
energetics from individuals to ecosystems.
26 ACADEMIC PROSPECTUS 2018 - MONASH BIOLOGICAL SCIENCESDR MIKE MCDONALD
EXPERIMENTAL EVOLUTION RESEARCH GROUP
Email: mike.mcdonald@monash.edu
RESEARCH FOCUS RESEARCH AREAS
Our lab specialises in the direct observation of microbial Evolution with horizontal gene transfer (HGT)
adaptation in the lab. Our current challenge is to build
complex experimental ecologies so that we can study the Most microbes adapt by transferring genes between
molecular details of evolution in realistic conditions, with the individuals (HGT), yet no experiments have shown the
aim to maintain and construct stable microbial ecosystems. conditions where HGT can be beneficial. We have built an
experimental model to explore how adaptation is different
in population with individuals that can exchange and pick
AREAS OF EXPERTISE up new genes.
Evolutionary biology
Co-evolution of bacteria and yeast
Molecular evolution
E. coli and bakers yeast are arguably the best understood of
Yeast and bacterial genomics all organisms, and many evolution studies have exploited this.
We are evolving co-cultures of E. coli and yeast to study how
Yeast and bacterial evolution adaptation proceeds in populations that need to grow in the
presence of another species.
Evolution of mutation rates
ACADEMIC PROSPECTUS 2018 - MONASH BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 27DR MATT MCGEE
BEHAVIOURAL STUDIES RESEARCH GROUP
Email: matt.mcgee@monash.edu
RESEARCH FOCUS RESEARCH AREAS
My research utilizes experimental studies of behaviour in Understanding vertebrate biodiversity via whole genome
conjunction with modern genomic techniques to understand sequencing
the phenotypic and genotypic dynamics of ecological
speciation, evolutionary innovation, and convergent evolution My lab sequences whole genomes of fishes to understand
in fish communities. how evolution has shaped adaptation to abiotic and biotic
factors.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE Phylogenomics of fishes
Whole genome sequencing
We examine the full diversity of fish groups, from slowly
Comparative phylogenetic methods evolving groups to some of the fastest known speciation
events in animals, using techniques that examine ancestry
Speciation across the entire genome.
Machine learning Feeding kinematics
Functional ecology We study how fish feed using a combination of high speed
video and functional morphology. We have generated the
most extensive datasets of this kind in animals, with hundreds
of species represented.
28 ACADEMIC PROSPECTUS 2018 - MONASH BIOLOGICAL SCIENCESPROFESSOR MELODIE MCGEOCH
ECOLOGY RESEARCH GROUP
Email: melodie.mcgeoch@monash.edu
RESEARCH FOCUS RESEARCH AREAS
Better measuring and modelling biodiversity to understand Improved methods for estimating biodiversity
and forecast its responses to global change, for the purpose
of more effectively protecting and managing it. Biodiversity is changing faster than we can measure it, not
enough is invested in monitoring, and available data are
inadequate. More effective ways to model biodiversity are
AREAS OF EXPERTISE needed - we develop, test and refine models based on
Biodiversity science occurrence and abundance, and using ecoinformatics, to
estimate species populations, distributions and interactions.
Theoretical ecology
Advancing the evidence-base for dealing with invasion
Conservation biology
The invasion of natural systems by alien species drives
Biological invasions biodiversity loss and alters ecosystem function. Because
biological invasion is a cross-border problem, information
Bioindicator development
is needed across multiple spatial and temporal scales to
effectively manage it. We work on improving information
systems and indicators for tracking biological invasions.
Understanding biodiversity responses to global change
Many environmental problems are the result of species
populations either declining, increasing or moving. We work
on improving the evidence base available for conservation
decisions by better understanding how species and
communities respond to climate change, habitat loss,
invasion and their interaction.
ACADEMIC PROSPECTUS 2018 - MONASH BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 29DR CHRISTEN MIRTH
DEVELOPMENTAL RESPONSES TO ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE RESEARCH GROUP
Email: christen.mirth@monash.edu
RESEARCH FOCUS RESEARCH AREAS
The environment in which animals develop profoundly Environmental regulation of body size and shape
shapes their morphology and behaviour, a process known as
phenotypic plasticity. Research in my lab aims to uncover the A multitude of environmental conditions alter animal growth to
genetic mechanisms regulating phenotypic plasticity and to generate variation in body size and shape. Our work aims to
understand how plasticity evolves. understand how environmental conditions alter the synthesis
of key developmental hormones to control body and organ size.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE How the nutritional composition of the diet alters traits
Evolutionary developmental biology
Diet plays an important role in animal health and life history,
Mechanisms of phenotypic plasticity impacting important traits like developmental time, body
size, lifespan, and fecundity. We explore the mechanisms
Regulation of body size and shape through which different components of the diet, principally
carbohydrates and protein, affect animal development and
Nutritional geometry physiology to shape these traits.
Developmental physiology Genetic variation in plasticity
Although environmental conditions are known to alter
developmental processes, not all individuals respond to the
same conditions in the same way. We aim to determine how
naturally-occuring genetic variation alters plastic responses
to environmental conditions, and to further explore how this
variation dictates how plasticity evolves.
30 ACADEMIC PROSPECTUS 2018 - MONASH BIOLOGICAL SCIENCESDR KEYNE MONRO
EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGY RESEARCH GROUP
Email: keyne.monro@monash.edu
RESEARCH FOCUS RESEARCH AREAS
Our goal is to understand and predict the evolutionary Evolutionary consequences of environmental change
consequences of environmental change, especially in the
sea. Key themes include: Environmental change has profound consequences for
population and evolutionary dynamics. We are exploring
how environmental change affects natural selection how environmental change alters the patterns of selection
and genetic variation for key aspects of whole-organism
how environmental change affects genetic variation performance (e.g., reproductive success, survival, morphology,
phenology) that underpin these dynamics.
how life cycles are shaped or constrained as a result.
Phenotypic plasticity
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Phenotypic plasticity is the expression of different phenotypes
Evolutionary ecology in different environments, and is an important mechanism
by which populations can respond to environmental change.
Selection and inheritance of quantitative traits
We are using a range of experimental approaches to explore
Phenotypic plasticity the adaptive value of plastic responses to biotic and abiotic
sources of environmental change.
Impacts of environmental change
Life history evolution
Mixed models and multivariate analyses
Marine organisms have amazingly diverse life histories.
For example, some are external fertilisers while others are
internal fertilisers, some have free-swimming larvae while
others don’t, and some have separate sexes while others
are hermaphrodites. We are interested in the ecological and
evolutionary forces that shape this diversity.
ACADEMIC PROSPECTUS 2018 - MONASH BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 31DR JOSLIN MOORE
PLANT ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION RESEARCH GROUP
Email: joslin.moore@monash.edu
RESEARCH FOCUS RESEARCH AREAS
The Moore group uses ecological theory and models to Resource allocation for conservation management
solve and inform applied ecological problems to aid in the
conservation and sustainable management of our natural My group works with agencies to develop decision analysis
resources. tools that help managers allocate resources to maximise
the benefit of management. Applications include managing
multiple threats to endangered alpine peatlands, controlling
AREAS OF EXPERTISE willow invasion and comparing the effectiveness of humans
Plant community ecology and dogs when searching for an invasive plant.
Ecological modelling
Predicting landscape-scale wind dispersal
Decision theory and optimisation The capacity for organisms to spread depends on their ability
to disperse. Wind dispersal has the potential to move small
Collaborative problem solving with managers (using particles (seeds, pollen, spores) large distances. Our group is
structured decision making) combining fine scale models of seed production and escapoe
from the canopy with landscape-scale weather models to predict
Integrating data and theory
seed dispersal across the landscape.
Grassland ecology and conservation
Grasslands are among the most threatened ecosystems
globally. I participate in a long-term global experiment aimed
at understanding the effect of global change on grassland
structure and function. My group also undertakes experiments
to better understand the opportunities for increasing biodiversity
in degraded grasslands.
32 ACADEMIC PROSPECTUS 2018 - MONASH BIOLOGICAL SCIENCESPROFESSOR MOIRA O’BRYAN
MALE INFERTILITY AND GERM CELL BIOLOGY RESEARCH GROUP
Email: moira.obryan@monash.edu
RESEARCH FOCUS RESEARCH AREAS
We aim to identify key mechanisms required for male germ The importance of microtubule in male germ
cell development, the aetiology of human male infertility and development
the interplay been fertility and health. This is achieved using
a range of genomic, biochemical and cell biological methods Microtubules are key regulators to both sperm head shape,
including the development of unique model systems. via the manchette, and function, via the tail. Within this project
we aim to identify the mechanisms underpinning microtubule
dynamics and how they contribute to the formation of
AREAS OF EXPERTISE hydrodynamically efficient and fertile sperm.
Flagellum / cilia development and function
The genetic causes of human male infertility
Microtubule regulation
In partnership with ‘the International Male Infertility Genomics
Male fertility / infertility Consortium’ we are identifying genetic mutations that lead
to human male infertility. In order to validate causality we are
CRISP proteins modeling these genetic variants in animal models. In doing
so, we are providing diagnostic certainty and identifying novel
Genetics
pathways required for fertility.
Novel mechanisms of protein transport
Elongate spermatids are high polarised, transcriptionally
silent cells, thus making them an ideal system within which
to identify novel mechanisms of protein transport, including
those involved in centriole regulation and sperm tail (cilia /
flagellum) development.
ACADEMIC PROSPECTUS 2018 - MONASH BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 33ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR ANNE PETERS
BEHAVIOURAL AND EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGY OF BIRDS RESEARCH GROUP
Email: anne.peters@monash.edu
RESEARCH FOCUS RESEARCH AREAS
We investigate evolutionary explanations for variation in Effects of climate throughout the life cycle
life-history of animals against the background of their natural
ecology. We want to understand why and how animals We investigate how climate variation affects individuals at every
distribute limited resources between competing demands, life-stage, from development, through to adulthood and
using long-term individual-based studies of free-living birds. senescence. We focus on behavioural and physiological coping
strategies. We integrate across the life-cycle, incorporating
long-term effects of early-life conditions on adult physiology
AREAS OF EXPERTISE and lifetime reproductive success.
Behavioural ecology
Trade-offs between investment in sex or self-preservation
Avian life-history
We investigate how animals balance investment in reproduction
Climate change adaptation with investment in defense against diseases and repair of
damage from wear and tear. We follow free-living individuals
Cooperative breeding throughout life, and measure their reproductive success,
immune defenses and molecular biomarkers of aging
Ecological immunology and telomere dynamics
(telomere dynamics).
Function and honesty of sexual ornaments
Conspicuous sexual ornaments are often important for fitness
but also highly variable, probably because ornaments are costly.
We investigate fitness benefits of ornaments and various costs,
in particular pleiotropic effects of testosterone, increased risk
of predation, and behavioural counter-adaptations to mitigate
energy expenditure.
34 ACADEMIC PROSPECTUS 2018 - MONASH BIOLOGICAL SCIENCESDR MATT PIPER
NUTRITIONAL PHYSIOLOGY AND AGEING RESEARCH GROUP
Email: matthew.piper@monash.edu
RESEARCH FOCUS RESEARCH AREAS
Understanding the mechanisms by which nutrition promotes Using genomics to design dietary amino acid ratios for
health throughout the lifecourse. optimal health
In silico translation of a consumer’s genome can define its
AREAS OF EXPERTISE optimal dietary amino acid ratio for growth and reproduction.
Insect nutrition We are assessing the effects of transcriptome weighting
these “exome matched” diets to enhance animal recovery
Ageing from stress.
Drosophila melanogaster How essential are essential amino acids?
Genomics Essential amino acids are strictly required for growth and
reproduction. Surprisingly, we have found that some can be
Metabolic biochemistry
completely dispensible for Drosophila lifespan and others
can reduce stress tolerance. We are investigating what these
phenoptypes can reveal about the mechanisms of ageing
and health.
Investigating the molecular mechanisms by which
limiting nutrients are traded off between life history traits
Life History Theory explains how organisms optimise resource
utilisation for fitness. Using non-ecological diet balances can
break these rules and so inform about the mechanisms of diet
utilisation for health.
ACADEMIC PROSPECTUS 2018 - MONASH BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 35ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR RICHARD REINA
ECOPHYSIOLOGY AND CONSERVATION RESEARCH GROUP
Email: richard.reina@monash.edu
RESEARCH FOCUS RESEARCH AREAS
We study animal responses to challenges from their Sea turtle reproduction and conservation
environments and from human activity to understand how
they deal with different these stressors. The purpose of this Sea turtles come ashore to lay eggs that incubate in the sand
research is to apply our improved knowledge to conservation of tropical beaches and make long-distance migrations each
and management few years to do this. Our research investigates this reproductive
process and the impact of the conditions under which eggs
and hatchlings develop.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Shark biology Interactions between sharks and commercial fisheries
Sea turtle biology and conservation Our research investigates what happens when sharks are
captured and any subsequent release, to better understand
Penguin ecology the tolerance of different species to capture, and to better
predict what will happen to them if released. Species studied
Fisheries science include bronze whaler sharks, hammerhead sharks, gummy
sharks and elephant fish.
Penguin ecology and marine ecosystem state
We investigate the interaction between little penguins and
their marine environment, in order to understand how their
foraging strategies, reproduction and behaviour are impacted
by environmental variability.
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