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 work on a range of questions in community ecology, macroecology, macroevolution and conservation biology, mostly using a comparative or modelling approach. Most of my research has a phylogenetic perspective. Phylogenies can reveal more than just evolutionary relationships: they also carry information on ecological and evolutionary processes, and can be a powerful tool for analyzing comparative data.

Xia Hua
Lecturer and 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.

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.

Alex Skeels
PhD student

I’m interested in the evolution and ecology of spatial diversity patterns. In particular, I use simulations and comparative methods to look at how distribution and range overlap patterns amongst closely related species are driven by historical and evolutionary factors such as speciation, extinction, and geographic range evolution, as well as local scale processes such as competition.

Supervisor: Marcel Cardillo

Felix Smits
Honours student

Drivers of Extinction Risk and Spatial Conservation Prioritization in Dasyuridae

Supervisors: Marcel Cardillo

Rhiannon Schembri
Honours student

Molecular evolution and speciation in the Australian Eugongylus skink clade

Supervisors: Lindell Bromham, Craig Moritz

Alan Vincent
Research Assistant

Predictors of seed dispersal in plants

Supervisor: Marcel Cardillo