U N I T S
ECS200 - Research Methods in Ecology
Unit coordinator - Semester 1
Science is fundamentally about testing ideas, and correctly testing these ideas depends on our ability to design robust studies and infer complex datasets. This unit will focus on learning research design, statistical analysis, and data interpretation for ecological studies. Using the R programming language, students will also learn to manipulate and visualise ecological data, apply statistical methods, and critically evaluate ecological evidence. A large component of the unit will be designing, running, and analysing your own ecological experiment from the start of its inception to reporting your findings in a clear and cohesive manner. Skills developed in this unit will provide a strong practical foundation for all ecologists, whether in research, government, industry, or society.
BIO376 - Wildlife Biology
Teaching staff - Semester 2
Effective conservation and management of wildlife needs to be informed by scientifically-rigorous wildlife research. This unit develops the knowledge (theory) and skills (practice) biologists need to study natural populations of undomesticated, terrestrial vertebrate wildlife for the purposes of conservation and management. Students will be immersed in real wildlife-research projects using case studies, and through practical experience of studying wildlife in the field.
Herpetofauna extended reading
Accessible through Murdoch Library
Comprehensive guide and key to Australian reptiles and amphibians (Cogger 2018).
Simplified but easy to understand key of reptiles and amphibians around the Perth region (Bush et al. 2010).
More detailed field guide to frogs of Western Australia (Tyler & Doughty 2013).
Updated names of 233 species of the Pelodryadidae family (Donnellan et al. 2025).
When did Australian frogs diversify? (Brennan et al. 2023).
Western Australian Museum Frog Watch guide.
BIO244 - Animal Diversity
Teaching staff - Semester 2
This unit covers the systematics and morphology of the major groups of invertebrates and vertebrates, with emphasis on major evolutionary trends. How recent fossil finds and the development of molecular techniques are increasing our knowledge of the history of animal life and at times challenging traditional hypotheses will be explored. Students are expected to develop practical skills in using dichotomous keys, biological drawing and microscopy as well as acquiring a good theoretical background.
O U T R E A C H
Recorded departmental seminars
2023 – Chytridiomycosis and mechanism of skin disruption in amphibians. Charles Darwin University, RIEL Seminar Series. Darwin, Australia.
2022 – Chytridiomycosis and mechanism of skin disruption in amphibians. University of Guelph Departmental Seminar Series. Guelph, Canada.
TV talent
Scope – Network Ten – Season 4, Episode 52.
Scope is a children’s science show, showcasing Science and Technology stories by a range of experts - from acclaimed university researchers to factory engineers, passionate zookeepers and elite sportspeople – giving the audience a personalised view of the scientific world. In this section, I explained my PhD research on frog skin, sloughing, and the chytrid fungus.
Recorded public seminars
2024 – White-nose syndrome vs Australian bats. Western Sydney University Thought Leadership Event. Sydney, Australia
2024 – Vulnerability of Australian bats to white-nose syndrome. North Sydney Council - Environmental Reference Group. Sydney, Australia.