Lindell Bromham
Professor

I am interested in ways of testing ideas about macroevolutionary patterns and mechanisms, particularly the way that phylogenies constructed from DNA sequence data can be used to understand evolutionary past and processes. But in order to use molecular data to understand evolution, we need to understand how evolutionary information is recorded in the genome. Current research themes include:
  • How the tempo and mode of molecular evolution is influenced by species characteristics, environment, and macroevolutionary processes
  • How patterns of trait evolution on phylogenies reveal macroevolutionary mechanisms
  • How analytical methods from evolutionary biology can be adapted to studying patterns of language evolution.
Publications

Marcel Cardillo
Professor

I am interested in the past, present and future of biodiversity. I use phylogenetics, model-based biogeography, comparative methods and simulation approaches to reconstruct the historical events and infer the evolutionary processes that have shaped the biodiversity we see today. I'm interested in how evolutionary history has left some species particularly vulnerable to present-day human impacts, and how we can use this understanding to predict and plan for future extinction risk.

Xia Hua
Lecturer and ARC DECRA Fellow

In general, I'm interested in developing evolutionary theories through a mathematical modelling approach. Currently, my research focuses on speciation and phylogenetic theory, trying to elucidate the links between molecular evolution and diversification processes. I'm also interested in applying physics to understand macroevolution.

Ben Scheele
Lecturer and ARC DECRA Fellow

I'm interested in patterns and processes underlying species declines and extinctions. This work cuts across taxonomic groups, with an initial focus on frogs and plans to expand to birds and mammals. I also maintain a long-term field-based research program on several endangered species in the Australian Alps. I'm co-hosted by RSB and the Fenner School, and am also a member of the Keogh Lab.

Andrew Ritchie
Postdoctoral Research Assistant

I am interested in the relationship between molecules and macroevolution, and the ways in which the smallest elements of life are shaped by the same forces that drive the world we can see. I am using phylogenetic methods and molecular data to explore questions such as how to incorporate detailed biology into phylogenetic methods and how life history governs the economy of mutational cost and repair in ray-finned fish.

Rhiannon Schembri
Honours student

Molecular evolution and speciation in the Australian Eugongylus skink clade

Supervisors: Lindell Bromham, Craig Moritz

Alan Vincent
PhD student

Dynamics of ecological niches in Proteaceae

Supervisor: Marcel Cardillo

Keaghan Yaxley
Lab Visitor

Oliver Webeck
PhD Student

Supervisor: Marcel Cardillo

Emmeline Norris
Honours Student

Options for conservation of amphibians across the Australian Monsoonal Tropics.

Supervisors: Marcel Cardillo, Ben Scheele, Craig Moritz