Akane Uesugi

Dr. Akane Uesugi is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Science at RMIT University, specializing in plant ecology and evolutionary biology. Her research focuses on the ecological and evolutionary drivers of plant invasion, particularly investigating how invasive species adapt to novel environments, respond to climate change, and interact with herbivores and competitors. She holds a PhD from the University of Michigan and has held academic positions at Monash University, Cornell University, and Ithaca College.

Her research employs field and greenhouse experiments, metabolite analysis, and quantitative genetics to address questions such as the mechanisms of plant invasion, allelopathy, and evolutionary adaptations in invasive species like goldenrod and capeweed. She is also involved in projects on peatland restoration, regenerative agriculture, and the impact of bushfires on plant invasions.

Dr. Uesugi’s work spans diverse topics including plant-herbivore interactions, chemical ecology, and the role of environmental stressors like salinity and aridity in plant survival. She is open to supervising Masters and PhD students in these areas.