I joined the Department of Ecological, Plant and Animal Sciences (EPAS) as a Teaching & Research Lecturer in 2024 and specialize in genomics and evolutionary biology.

My group seeks to understand the processes that produce patterns of biodiversity. We are most keenly interested in the molecular and cellular mechanisms that produce traits during development and the genetic variation that underpins trait differences among individuals. We take the view that a truly comprehensive view of animal evolution isn't possible without accounting for role of underlying mechanisms of trait formation. A growing pillar of my lab is the integration of functional data, including gene expression and epigenetics into conservation research as a way to improve priority-setting and risk evaluation in threatened species.

In the pursuit of our goals, we employ a wide range of methods, from genomics (functional, comparative and population) to sophisticated in vitro and in vivo experimental methods. A defining feature of our work is that we leverage the wealth of trait diversity found in non-traditional model organisms. I have a special expertise with marsupial model species, having led the original thylacine genome project and worked extensively with extant species such as the sugar glider, eastern quoll and fat-tailed dunnart. However, my group aims wherever possible to use data from across the animal tree of life and to choose model organisms based on our core questions.

Broad areas of work in my lab include:
• Unravelling the structure and function of gene regulatory networks that underpin adaptive phenotypes across diverse animals
• Defining the molecular basis of inbreeding depression and developing new tools for its prediction in threatened species
• Identifying rare and extinct genetic diversity in threatened species using modern and historical specimens

Externally, we work closely with the de-extinction focused Thylacine Integrated Genomic Restoration Research (TIGRR) Lab, which aims to develop genomic and biotechnology tools to aid in marsupial conservation, sharing knowledge, resources and enormous amounts of data. I serve as one of the leaders of their computational biology team and promote co-supervision between students in my lab and TIGRR.