Daniel Huston

Daniel Huston is a Research Scientist with the Insect and Nematode Biosecurity Team at the Australian National Insect Collection, part of CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation). His work sits at the intersection of taxonomy and biosecurity, with a special focus on plant-parasitic nematodes and the ecology of parasitic worms.

His educational background includes:

• PhD in Zoology from The University of Queensland (2019)
• MSc in Biology from Texas State University (2014)
• BSc in Wildlife Biology from Texas State University (2011)

Huston specializes in the taxonomy and systematics of parasitic worms, particularly Acanthocephala, Nematoda, and Platyhelminthes. His research encompasses host-parasite interactions, life cycle elucidation, taxonomic revisions, and species discovery. His significant contributions to parasite taxonomy have been recognized by three species being named in his honor: Psettarium hustoni, Siphoderina hustoni, and Paracanthocephaloides hustoni.

His recent publications focus on trematode biodiversity in the Indo-West Pacific region, with particular attention to species delineation across geographic ranges and the untold richness of fish parasites in this area.

His scientific achievements include:

• Early Career Research Excellence Award from the Society of Australian Systematic Biologists (2020)
• Dean's Award for Outstanding Higher Degree by Research Thesis from The University of Queensland (2019)
• Sir David Attenborough Award for Field Research from the Linnean Society of London and Systematics Society (2018)

With professional experience spanning from Fish Biologist and Biological Technician with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to Postdoctoral Fellowships at CSIRO and the University of Tasmania, Huston has developed expertise in applying integrated methods to delineate species boundaries in taxonomically complex groups. His work includes developing diagnostic tools for key pest species, including National Diagnostic Protocols.

Huston works within CSIRO's Insect and Nematode Biosecurity Team at the Australian National Insect Collection, where he contributes to research at the critical interface between taxonomy and biosecurity.