Anne Peters

Anne Peters is an Associate Professor in the School of Biological Sciences at Monash University, where she conducts research at the intersection of behavioural ecology, evolutionary biology, and physiology. Her work primarily focuses on avian systems, especially Australian fairy-wrens and other bird species.

Research Interests: Anne's research investigates the mechanisms underlying sexual selection and honest signaling, particularly how hormonal and dietary factors influence ornamentation. She explores life-history trade-offs involving immune function, parental care, and environmental stressors. Her work also delves into telomere ecology, avian coloration, and cooperative breeding systems. Using integrative approaches, she combines endocrinology, immunology, and field ecology to understand animal behaviour and adaptation.

Recent Research Trends: Her most recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on the physiological and ecological impacts of environmental change, including climate variability and fire regimes. She employs both empirical studies and meta-analyses to examine telomere dynamics, stress responses, and social behaviour in wild bird populations. Her research increasingly integrates conservation applications, such as using seabirds as ecosystem indicators and informing fire management practices.

Scientific Contributions: Anne has published over 120 research outputs, including articles in top journals like Molecular Ecology, Journal of Applied Ecology, and Royal Society Open Science. Her work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to life on land and environmental sustainability.

Advising and Grants: She actively supervises research students and leads multiple funded projects. As a Primary Chief Investigator on an ARC-funded project and a Chief Investigator on several others, she secures significant research support. Her projects examine topics such as pharmaceutical pollution in aquatic ecosystems, climate sensitivity in early life, and conservation ecology of endangered birds.

Labs and Teams: Anne leads a research group focused on behavioural and physiological ecology, collaborating with national and international partners. Her team works on diverse avian species, combining fieldwork, laboratory analysis, and data synthesis to address fundamental questions in evolutionary ecology.