Scott Keogh

Prof Scott Keogh is a Professor in Evolutionary Biology at the Australian National University (ANU), affiliated with the Division of Ecology & Evolution within the Research School of Biology. He holds leadership roles such as former Head of Division (2012–2019, 2023) and Interim Director of the Research School of Biology (2020–2021). His research focuses on evolutionary processes in reptiles and amphibians, particularly molecular phylogenetics, comparative biology, and conservation. He has supervised 15 PhD students, 15 honours students, and hosted multiple postdoctoral researchers through his lab, which emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches and fieldwork.

Keogh completed his BS at the University of Illinois (1991), MS at Illinois State University (1993), and PhD at the University of Sydney (1997). He joined ANU in 1998 after an Australian Research Council Postdoctoral Fellowship. His lab’s research spans four core areas: molecular phylogenetics, comparative evolutionary biology, behavioral ecology, and conservation biology. Notable projects include studies on Australian blindsnakes, skinks, pythons, and frogs, with a focus on arid zone species and conservation genetics.

His research has addressed topics like morphological evolution in reptiles, the impact of climate change on biodiversity, and the genetic basis of reproductive strategies. He has secured grants for projects such as the conservation of the Southern Corroboree Frog and studies on Australian frog phylogeography. His lab actively collaborates internationally and uses cutting-edge genomic tools for species delimitation and conservation planning.

Keogh’s work has led to over 174 publications and 7625 citations, with recent studies emphasizing phylogenomics, niche conservatism, and invasive species biology. His lab’s activities are detailed on their website, which includes Twitter feeds and awards won by lab members. He advocates for rigorous taxonomy and genomic approaches to address the biodiversity crisis.