Lecturer in Animal Biology

• Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution
• International Society for Neuroethology
• The Systematics Association
• Integrative Zoology (Editorial Board)
• IUCN Sea Snake Specialist Group

• 2017 - 20xx: Adjunct Lecturer − School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide (Australia)
• 2017 - 20xx: Honorary Researcher − South Australian Museum (Australia)
• 2020 - 20xx: Visiting Researcher − Universidade Federal do Pará, Campus de Altamira (Brazil)

Peer-Review: BMC Evolutionary Biology; Mammalian Biology; Journal of Protein Science; Journal of Molecular Evolution, Integrative Zoology, Molecular Biology and Evolution, Proceedings of the Royal Society B, Scientific Reports, Current Biology, Genome Biology and Evolution, Science, Science Advances.

Current PhD Students

• Matthew Ford: Evolution of Vision in Skinks − University of Adelaide (co-supervisor Kate Sanders)
• Marylette Roa: Diversity and ecology of squamate gut microbiome − National University of Ireland, Galway (supervisor Alexandre de Menezes)
• Isaac Rosetto: Evolution of sea snakes − University of Adelaide (Supervisor Kate Sanders)

• Owen Head: Evolution of Hearing in Squamates
• Isobel Sleep: Evolution of Circadian Rhythms in Lizards and Snakes
• Thomas Woods: Phylogenomics of Baboons in West Africa
• Cameron Tyler: Remote Sense and Geographic Distribution of Sea Snakes 

• Methods in Biology (BIOL234)
• Advanced Bioinformatics & Phylogenetics (BIOL324) 

• Introduction to Biology (BIOL129)
• Ecology and the Diversity of Life (BIOL132Z)
• Comparative Zoology (BIOL232Z)
• Research project supervisor

Research interests:

I am an evolutionary biologist interested in the evolution of animal sensory perception, organismal adaptation, and the application of genomic methods for conservation. My research career has focused on studying the evolution of vision in several vertebrate lineages, including bats, snakes, and other squamate reptiles.

In my current work, I integrate genomic, physiological, and anatomical data to understand the genetic basis for variation observed in the visual systems of lizards and snakes (squamates). My research also examines the relative roles of ecological adaptation in the origin of novel visual phenotypes in squamates. Additionally, I aim to investigate whether complex visual systems can be re-elaborated following evolutionary degeneration.

Alongside my visual system research, I am also currently studying other aspects of ecological adaptation in lizards and snakes. This includes efforts to identify new species within these groups. Recently, I've been developing methods using environmental DNA (eDNA) to survey biodiversity in tropical ecosystems.

Grants & Consultancy Contracts:

• 2022 - 2024: Royal Society, Small Grants. Molecular Evolution of Hearing in Lizards and Snakes. RGS/R2/212123 — Principal Investigator.
• 2018 - 2021: Australian Research Council, Discovery Project − Evolutionary dynamics of reptile vision: How are complex traits lost and re-innovated during ecological transitions? DP180101688 — Co-Leading Chief Scientist with Kate Sanders; Co-Applicants: James Breen, David Hunt, Mark Hutchinson, Belinda Chang, Davide Pisani & Emma Teeling.
• 2017: Environment Institute, University of Adelaide – Spectral transmittance and reflectance: Developing a high impact cross-disciplinary research programme on visual evolution. Co-Applicant with Kate Sanders
• 2016 - 2019: European Union, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Global Fellowship – Elaboration and degeneration of complex traits: The visual systems of lizards and snakes (Evol-Eyes) 703438 — Applicant; Advisors: Davide Pisani & Kate Sanders.
• 2014: Environment Institute, University of Adelaide – Molecular evolution of vision in sea snakes. Co-Applicant with Kate Sanders

• 2008 - 2011: Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), International Doctoral Scholarship – Molecular Mechanisms and Evolution of Mammalian Sensory Perception: Visual Pathways in Bats. SFRH/BD/36369/2007. Applicant; PhD supervisor: Emma C. Teeling.

Invited lectures:

• October 2024, Seminar Series - BIOPOLIS/inBIO (Portugal)
• June 2019, Seminar in Brain and Cognition - Bath Spa University (UK)
• January 2016, Ecosystem Science - Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (Canberra, Australia).
• December 2015, Environment Institute - University of Adelaide (Australia)
• December 2015, School of Animal Biology - University of Western Australia (Australia)
• July 2013, Instituto Butantã (São Paulo, Brazil)

Other academic activities:

• 2016 - 2018: The University of Adelaide, Children’s University Australia - Multiple presentations on reptile biology in schools across South Australia.
• 2012 - 2015: The Natural History Museum, London - NatureLive and Science Uncovered.

Media

• National Geographic Wild/Disney+ — Out There with Jack Randall, Season 1 Australia: Episode 4 "The Most Venomous Snakes In The World"
• Radio Interviews for ABC Network (Australia)
• Interviews for several TV channels and journals