Natasha Lebas

Natasha Lebas is a Research Fellow at the School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia. She holds a PhD in Animal Biology from UWA (2001) and has conducted postdoctoral research across Sweden, Wales, Scotland, and the UK. Her career includes a NERC Research Fellowship at the University of St Andrews and an ARC Research Fellowship (part-time, 2004-2012). After a career break for parenting and illness (2012-2022), she returned as a Research Fellow.

Her research focuses on evolutionary biology, behavioral ecology, and conservation, with expertise in sexual selection, conservation genetics, and predator-free habitat dynamics. Key projects include studies on ornate dragon lizards and nuptial gift evolution, contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to biodiversity conservation.

• Grants: Recent funding includes ARC Discovery Projects (2025: $631K; 2022: $563K) and a Saving Native Species Grant (2024: $426K).
• Awards: NERC Research Fellowship, ARC Research Fellowship, ARC Postdoctoral Research Fellowship.
• Advising: Supervised PhD student Esther Levy.

Her work bridges evolutionary theory and conservation practice, addressing genetic diversity, habitat impacts, and predator-prey interactions in reptiles and amphibians.