Kate Umbers

Kate Umbers is an Associate Professor and Lecturer in Zoology at the School of Science, Western Sydney University. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy and a Bachelor of Science from Macquarie University. Her research focuses on evolutionary biology, animal behavior, and conservation biology, with a strong focus on entomology and chemical ecology.

Her recent publications address biodiversity monitoring using robotics, predator-prey dynamics, and chemical defense mechanisms in insects and amphibians. Her work explores key areas like aposematism, warning coloration, and the ecological impacts of climate change on alpine and nocturnal species.

She leads several major research projects, including

• "The dark side: weaving nocturnality into pollination resilience networks" at the University of Sydney
• "PLIGHT OF THE BOGONG MOTH: A PARTNERSHIP MODEL FOR AUSTRALIAN CONSERVATION"
• "Bringing out the big guns: antipredator defences in termites"

These projects highlight her commitment to understanding ecological interactions and developing conservation strategies.

Kate Umbers actively collaborates with institutions such as the Xerces Society INC, Australian Research Council, Lund University, Zoos Victoria, and Invertebrates Australia Ltd. Her work contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in biodiversity and climate action.