Nikolas Johnston

Nikolas Johnston is a Visiting Professor at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), affiliated with the School of Life Sciences within the Faculty of Science. His primary research focuses on entomology, particularly the taxonomy, phylogenetics, and forensic applications of Diptera (flies). He has contributed extensively to studies of blowflies, carrion-breeding insects, and their roles in ecological and forensic contexts.

Key research interests include:

• Systematics and molecular phylogenetics of fly families like Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae
• Forensic entomology, including post-mortem interval estimation and case analysis
• Ecological impacts of urban greening and biodiversity conservation
• Genomic tools for species delimitation and evolutionary studies

Recent work highlights:

• A synthesis of carrion-breeding flies in Australasia, providing taxonomic resources for forensic and ecological applications
• Genomic and morphological studies revealing blowfly diversity and phylogenetic relationships
• A retrospective analysis of forensic entomology casework in eastern Australia

He has secured funding through grants such as the Australian Biological Resources Study Project (2022–2023) for blowfly systematics research. His collaborative projects often bridge taxonomy, ecology, and molecular biology to address gaps in understanding insect biodiversity and forensic applications.