Lindell Bromham is a Professor at the Research School of Biology , Australian National University, focusing on evolutionary biology, cultural evolution, and interdisciplinary research. Their work spans genomic mutation rates to global linguistic diversity, with notable projects on language endangerment and Galton’s problem in cross-cultural studies. Broad research themes: evolutionary biology, cultural evolution, macroecology, linguistics Key contributions: interdisciplinary funding disparities, language evolution models, parasite-culture interactions Recent articles emphasize language endangerment risk factors, methodological innovations in cross-cultural analysis, and population size effects on language evolution. Awards include Eureka Prize Finalist (2021) and media recognition in Nature and New Scientist . Supervises students in evolutionary and linguistic research.
Sean R. Connolly is a Research Professor at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) in Panama, where he leads the Connolly Lab focused on coral reef ecology and biodiversity dynamics. He joined STRI in late 2019 after approximately 20 years of research on Central Indo-Pacific coral reefs, and now directs his research toward the coral reefs of the Tropical East Pacific and Caribbean regions. Dr. Connolly's research interests center on understanding the mechanisms that maintain biodiversity in species-rich systems, particularly coral reefs. His work investigates how large numbers of species coexist despite similar resource requirements, what determines the commonness or rarity of different species, how fishing and marine reserves impact reef ecosystems, and how coral reefs respond to climate change. His approach combines empirical field studies with mathematical and statistical modeling across multiple spatial and temporal scales. His publication record demonstrates a strong focus on coral reef community dynamics, biodiversity patterns, climate change impacts, and fisheries management. Recent work increasingly addresses the effects of multiple stressors on reef ecosystems, with growing attention to the Tropical Eastern Pacific as a comparative natural laboratory. His collaborative research spans multiple institutions globally, reflecting the international nature of coral reef science. Dr. Connolly received his B.A. from Earlham College in 1994 and his Ph.D. from Stanford University in 1999. His educational background provided the foundation for his interdisciplinary approach that bridges theoretical ecology with practical conservation applications. His research program currently investigates reef ecosystems on both sides of the Isthmus of Panama, taking advantage of the dramatically different reef conditions in the Tropical East Pacific (where one coral group dominates marginal reef conditions) and the Caribbean (where former community dominants have collapsed to a fraction of historical abundances). This comparative approach provides unique insights into the mechanisms of biodiversity maintenance and ecosystem resilience.
Dr. Glenn Shea is a Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Anatomy at the University of Sydney's Faculty of Veterinary Science. He holds a DVM BVSc (Hons) from the University of Sydney (1983) and a PhD (1992), also from Sydney. His research focuses on reptile systematics, taxonomy, and conservation, particularly in Australian and Pacific species. He has authored influential field guides like *A Field Guide to Reptiles of New South Wales* (2004/2022) and contributed to major conservation efforts such as *The Action Plan for Australian Lizards and Snakes 2017* (2019). His work spans new species descriptions, phylogenetic analyses, and biodiversity policy. Notable projects include surveys of reptile populations on Norfolk Island and IUCN Red List assessments for reptiles. He has secured grants, including an Australian Research Council grant (1999) for scincid lizard systematics. His research frequently intersects with conservation genetics and the impacts of environmental crises like Australia's 2019-2020 Black Summer fires. Media engagements include ABC interviews on blind snake ecology and features in *IFL Science*. Collaborations with international researchers underscore his global contributions to herpetology.
Sandy Boucher is a Senior Lecturer in the Philosophy of Science at the University of New England (Australia), affiliated with the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences within the Faculty of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences and Education. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Melbourne, with a thesis titled 'Empiricism, Metaphysical Stances the Philosophy of Biology.' Prior to UNE, he taught at the University of Connecticut, University of Melbourne, and La Trobe University, and worked on the IARPA Critical Thinking and Argument Mapping Project. His research focuses on the philosophy of biology (functions, teleology, units of selection, species, natural kinds, macroevolution, and paleobiology), general philosophy of science (scientific realism), and metaphilosophy/epistemology. He is currently completing a book, Naturalism, Empiricism and the Metaphysics of Biology (Palgrave Macmillan), exploring meta-philosophical stances in biology. He also serves as an Associate Editor of the Australasian Journal of Philosophy . Beyond research, Boucher teaches courses such as PHIL102 Critical Thinking, PHIL304/504 Philosophy of Science, and PHIL509 Sex and Death: Issues in the Philosophy of Biology. He actively supervises PhD students in Philosophy of Science and related areas. His work bridges theoretical philosophy with applied ethics, as seen in collaborative projects on ecological science and digital surveillance. Education: Ph.D., University of Melbourne; M.A. and B.A. (Hons), Monash University Professional Roles: Associate Editor, Australasian Journal of Philosophy ; Co-editor of special issue on surveillance and ethics External Profiles: Google Scholar, Academia.edu, ORCID
Marcel Cardillo is a Professor at the Research School of Biology, Australian National University. He obtained his PhD from the University of Queensland and has held prestigious fellowships, including a Queen Elizabeth II Fellowship and a Natural Environment Research Council Fellowship in the UK. His academic journey includes leadership roles in the Cardillo Group, focusing on macroevolution, macroecology, and biogeography. Research Interests: His work addresses large-scale biodiversity questions, such as tropical species richness, Mediterranean hotspots, and extinction risk prediction. He integrates computational tools with phylogenetic and geographic datasets to explore evolutionary and ecological processes. Article Trends: His recent publications span language diversity biogeography, migratory butterfly conservation, and invasive pathogen impacts. Themes include climate change effects, phylogenetic conservation, and ecological drivers of extinction risk, with subtopics like niche contraction, dietary adaptation, and island biogeography. Scientific Awards: ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA), 2025 University Medal for Biology, 2022 Transdisciplinary & Innovation Grant, 2016 Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, 2016 Natural Environment Research Council Fellowship (UK), 2005 Students & Lab: He supervises PhD and Honours students, currently leading projects on Australian plant diversification and extinction risk. His lab collaborates with the Macroevolution and Macroecology Group.
Mike Lee is a Professor in Evolutionary Biology at Flinders University, jointly appointed with the South Australian Museum. His research spans Phylogenetics , Macroevolution , Herpetology , and Palaeontology , primarily focusing on reptiles (living and fossil), but also birds, mammals, and arthropods. He employs 3D imaging , anatomical analysis , and Bayesian phylogenetics to study evolutionary patterns such as limb loss, speciation rates, and phenotypic plasticity. Key Collaborations: Flinders Palaeontology Group, ARC-funded projects, and international researchers. Research Grants include multiple ARC Discovery Grants (2016-2025) totaling over $1.2 million, focusing on snake evolution, fossil integration with genomics, and neural adaptations in reptiles. Scientific Awards : Fulbright Fellow (1998) Edgeworth David Medal (2000) Tall Poppy Award (2003-2004) Top 10 Breakthrough of 2014 (Science/AAAS) Riversleigh Medal (2015) Verco Medal (2018) Media Engagement: Regular contributor to The Conversation , with topics ranging from human evolution to Australian megafauna extinction. Available as a media expert on Biodiversity , Palaeontology , Reptiles , and Zoology .
Jessica Zamborain Mason is a PhD candidate at James Cook University, affiliated with the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies. Her research focuses on the ecological, social, and economic sustainability of marine ecosystems, particularly coral reefs and fisheries. She is supervised by Professors Sean Connolly, Joshua Cinner, and Aaron MacNeil. PhD in Coral Reef Ecosystems, James Cook University Bachelor's in Marine Science (Oceanography), University of Vigo (Spain) Master's in Fisheries Biology and Management, James Cook University Her research examines the functional state of coral reefs, human and environmental drivers of degradation, and management strategies for resilience. She applies network theory to marine reserve design and integrates socio-economic factors in ecological studies. Recent publications highlight her work on: DNA-based analysis of coral reef responses to climate change Comparative vulnerability of fisheries in tropical countries to climate shifts
Travis Park is a Research Fellow at Monash University's School of Biological Sciences. His research focuses on the evolutionary history of vertebrate diversity, particularly secondarily aquatic tetrapods like marine mammals. He uses quantitative macroevolutionary studies, 3D scanning, and morphometrics alongside traditional palaeontological methods. Current work includes a macroevolutionary analysis of aquatic tetrapods funded by an active project (2023–2026). Key research interests include understanding patterns/processes in animals returning to aquatic lifestyles as evolutionary experiments. His work spans phylogenetics, behavioral adaptations, and anatomical studies. Recent articles explore pinniped evolution, toothed whale jaw morphology, and seal ecomorphotypes. Projects : Diving into deep-time: macroevolutionary patterns of aquatic tetrapods (2023–2026, PCI) Science Communication : Advocacy for public engagement across age groups Publications emphasize morphological evolution, sensory adaptations, and ecological convergence. His work contributes to UN SDGs related to biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.
Putter Tiatragul is a Research Fellow in the Division of Ecology and Evolution at The Australian National University. Their research focuses on biodiversity, evolutionary processes, and macroevolutionary patterns in reptiles, particularly blindsnakes and anole lizards. They hold a PhD from ANU (2019-2024) and prior degrees from Auburn University (Master, 2017-2018) and Gonzaga University (Bachelor, 2012-2016). Research Interests: Evolutionary drivers of morphological diversity in blindsnakes Ecological impacts of aridification on reptilian diversification Urban ecological adaptations in invasive lizard species Niche conservatism across continental radiations Recent work emphasizes Australia's reptilian biodiversity and the role of historical environmental changes in shaping current distributions. Their studies combine phylogenomic analyses with field observations to understand macroevolutionary processes. Collaborations: Active in global biodiversity networks, with projects involving climate modeling and conservation prioritization.
Sophie Hautphenne is an Associate Professor in Stochastic Modelling at the School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Melbourne. Her research focuses on branching processes, computational methods, and their applications in population biology and probability theory. She holds a PhD from Université Libre de Bruxelles. Key areas of expertise include extinction probability analysis, birth-and-death processes, and parameter estimation in stochastic systems. Research highlights include the development of the BirDePy Python package for simulating birth-death processes, and contributions to the theoretical understanding of population-size-dependent branching processes. She has led projects funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC), exploring computational approaches for branching processes in population biology. Her work bridges theoretical mathematics with practical applications in evolutionary biology and medical modelling, such as studying chronic myeloid leukemia dynamics through Markovian binary trees. Recent publications emphasize linking microevolutionary and macroevolutionary processes with migration models. Education: PhD in Mathematics, Université Libre de Bruxelles Grants: ARC-funded projects (2020-2024, 2015-2019) Software: BirDePy package for birth-death process simulations
Dr. James Dorey is a Lecturer in Biological Sciences at the University of Wollongong, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences (SEALS), a position he has held since February 2024. He also serves as an Adjunct Lecturer at Flinders University's College of Science and Engineering since July 2022, and previously held a Postdoctoral Associate role at Yale University in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (2021–2022). His educational background includes: PhD in Biological Sciences, Flinders University (2018–2022) BSc (Honours) in Biological Sciences, Flinders University (2017–2018) Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Zoology, University of Queensland (2013–2015) James is an evolutionary biologist with broad research interests in macroevolution, macroecology, conservation, systematics, and organismal biology . He focuses on wild bees in Australia, Fiji, and globally, investigating the drivers of biodiversity and the threats to it. His methodological toolkit includes phylogenetics, GIS, morphometrics, R programming, fieldwork, and statistics . He advocates for integrative, multidisciplinary approaches to advance environmental understanding and promote sustainable practices. While no recent publications are listed in the provided text, his research is aligned with animal systematics, taxonomy, and global change biology, suggesting a strong output in biodiversity and ecological sciences. He has received recognition as an award-winning macro photographer , with work featured in National Geographic’s Daily Dozen. His photography supports both scientific research and public science communication. He is the author of Bees of Australia , a photographic exploration published by CSIRO, which combines stunning imagery with scientific insight into native bee biology and conservation. James is actively involved in teaching and supervision at the University of Wollongong. Though no formal advisees are listed, his role as a lecturer implies future graduate student mentorship. He has not received any named research grants in the provided text, but his postdoctoral position at Yale and current academic role suggest prior competitive funding. He maintains strong public engagement through his professional photography website, social media (LinkedIn, X/Twitter, ResearchGate), and public outreach via books and media. His work bridges science and art, using visual storytelling to enhance scientific communication and environmental awareness.
Lindell Bromham is a Professor at the Australian National University's Research School of Biology , specializing in macroevolutionary patterns , molecular evolution , and cultural/linguistic evolution . She leads the Macroevolution and Macroecology Group and applies phylogenetic methods to diverse fields, including plant adaptation to environmental stress and language diversification. Research Interests : Molecular evolution rates, phylogenetic analysis, climate change impacts on evolution, language evolution mechanisms, salt tolerance in plants Selected Publications (2021-2025) examine evolutionary mechanisms across biological and cultural domains, including studies on language complexity in isolated populations, plant stress tolerance evolution, and molecular clock reliability. Her work integrates interdisciplinary approaches, particularly linking biology with linguistics and cultural studies. Major Awards : Australian Museum Eureka Prize (2021), Transdisciplinary & Innovation Grant (2016), Australian Awards for University Teaching (2010), Vice Chancellor's Teaching Excellence (2008) Teaching : Instructs BIOL3206 (Evolution of Diversity) and VCUG3001 (Unravelling Complexity) . She has developed active learning strategies for evolutionary biology education and authored two Oxford University Press textbooks.
Christopher Goatley is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of New England's School of Environmental and Rural Science, where he conducts research in the Function, Evolution & Anatomy Research (FEAR) Lab. His academic background includes a Doctor of Philosophy in Marine Biology from James Cook University (2015), a Master of Applied Science in Tropical Marine Ecology and Fisheries from James Cook University (2008), and a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Marine Biology from the University of Newcastle, UK (2006). Goatley's research explores marine ecology with emphasis on: Functional morphology and evolution of reef fishes Ecological impacts of benthic sediments on coral reef ecosystems Biodiversity dynamics of cryptobenthic fishes Herbivory patterns and predator-prey interactions His publications predominantly investigate coral reef resilience, sediment-herbivory relationships, and evolutionary adaptations in reef fish. Research themes consistently address trophic dynamics, ecosystem degradation indicators, and functional morphology across spatial and temporal scales. He leads no mentioned grants or student advisements but contributes to the FEAR Lab's work on biomechanical analysis of reef species using 3D imaging and field studies along eastern Australian reefs.
Dr. Aysegul Birand is an ARC Grant-Funded Researcher (A) at the University of Adelaide's Ecology and Evolutionary Biology unit. Her research bridges evolutionary biology, genetics, and conservation ecology with a focus on invasive species management through genetic approaches. Her work investigates mechanisms of speciation, population genetics of invasive species, and the application of genetic biocontrol methods. Research employs spatial modeling, empirical field data collection, and molecular techniques to address conservation challenges. Recent publications demonstrate a focus on developing gene drive technologies for invasive rodent control, genetic monitoring of wildlife populations, and understanding evolutionary dynamics in multispecies systems. Publications consistently integrate theoretical models with practical conservation applications.
Barry Fordham is an Adjunct Professor at the Research School of Earth Sciences, Australian National University (ANU). He holds degrees from the University of Queensland (BSc Hons, PhD) and the University of New England (MBA), with additional qualifications in corporate governance. His primary affiliation is with ANU, where he contributes to research in micropaleontology and geology. Education : BSc (Hons) in Geology (University of Queensland), PhD in Geology (University of Queensland), MBA (University of New England), GAICD (Australian Institute of Company Directors). Affiliations : Visitor and affiliate in the Biogeochemistry and Palaeoenvironments research groups at ANU. Key Roles : Previously worked at the Geological Survey of Queensland, CSIRO, and Geo Discovery, focusing on regional geology, biostratigraphy, and management roles in geoscience. His research interests center on micropaleontology, particularly foraminifera and conodonts, with a focus on phylogenetic analysis, biostratigraphy, and evolutionary relationships. He leads projects like the 'Stratophylogeny Projects,' which integrate phylogenetic data with geological timescales. His work also involves developing databases and visualization tools for evolutionary trees, such as the TimeScale Creator platform. Fordham has contributed to over 50 peer-reviewed publications and datasets, including studies on Cenozoic planktonic foraminifera phylogeny, conodont biostratigraphy, and Silurian geology. His datasets are archived in ANU’s Data Commons, emphasizing reproducibility and open science. He collaborates internationally, notably with institutions like Cardiff University, University College London, and Purdue University. His recent work explores morphological plasticity in foraminifera during speciation events and the application of phylogenetic tools to deep-time biodiversity analysis.
