Steve Smith

Steve Smith serves as Head of Molecular Genetics at the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna and Senior Research Fellow at Flinders University's Molecular Ecology Lab. His research focuses on molecular ecology, adaptive variation in wild populations, and habitat-driven genetic diversity.

Dr. Smith completed his PhD in November 2007 and has held research positions at Vienna's Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology and Flinders University. His work centers on immunogenetic fitness mechanisms in brown hares, oxidative stress-reproduction interactions affecting lifespan, and ancient DNA analysis of historical genetic distributions.

Publication trends (2005-2013) reveal expertise in evolutionary genetics and conservation, with recurring themes including MHC-fitness relationships, telomere dynamics under environmental stress, mitochondrial DNA impacts on reproduction, and non-invasive genetic monitoring for endangered species. His research bridges fundamental molecular ecology and applied conservation management.

As Head of the Molecular Genetics lab at Vienna, Smith leads investigations into adaptive variation mechanisms while collaborating with European and Australian institutions including the Swedish Museum of Natural History. His work integrates field ecology with molecular techniques to address climate change impacts on wildlife populations.