I teach Biology and Environmental Science from the North Rockhampton campus, joining the School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences in 2019 as a senior lecturer in Environmental Science. A central theme of my research revolves around finding answers to three simple questions, 1) how do animals work?, 2) why do animals do what they do?, and 3) how do they response to environmental change? Obtaining answers to these questions often involves taking an integrative approach, working across the fields of ecophysiology (sensory and metabolic), ethology and ecology.
For the most part my research is borne out of simple curiosity, interest and a desire to develop applied solutions to problems. Previous research has ranged from investigating the sensory biology of Antarctica fish, exploring the role of pheromones in migration and spawning in freshwater and marine fish, quantifying the vulnerability of an Australian iconic species barramundi to future climate change, and investigating maternal factors that influence egg quality in commercially exploited marine fish.
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From left to right: Antarctic toothfish caught during ice hole fishing (Ross Island, Antarctica). Testing the olfactory sensitivity of the freshwater Banded kokopu to migratory pheromones (University of Minnesota, USA). Studying the spawning behaviour of Sea bream in broodstock tanks using underwater cameras (Leigh Marine Laboratory, New Zealand). Measuring oxygen consumption in juvenile barramundi (James Cook University, Australia). Tracking development in early stage Coral trout eggs (Orpheus Island Research Station, Great Barrier Reef, Australia).
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If you are interested in pursuing post-graduate studies (Hons, MSc, PhD) please drop me a line, in the first instance via email to identify common interests and potential projects.