Biography
My long-term research interests focus on the ecological and coevolutionary dynamics of natural host-microbe interactions using theoretical and spatially explicit computer modelling, experimental and field studies and molecular approaches. While much of my career has centred on the population and metapopulation dynamics of plant-pathogen systems, I have also worked extensively on the ecological associations between native legumes and associated nitrogen-fixing soil bacteria (rhizobia). Such interactions provide an opportunity to address fundamental questions in community ecology, including the evolution of host specificity, shifts along the mutualism-parasitism continuum, impacts of plant-soil feedbacks on community structure, and geographic-scale patterns in soil diversity and symbiotic effectiveness.
Professional Areas
Current Roles
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Group Leader
National Research Collections Australia, NC*MI -
Project Leader
Turbocharging Digitisation of the Australian National Herbarium (R-91679) -
Chief Research Scientist
National Collections & Marine Infrastructure Business Unit, CSIRO
Academic Qualifications
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1993
PhD (Ecological Genetics)
Duke University -
1988
MS (Plant Ecology)
University of Connecticut -
1986
BA (Biology)
University of Connecticut
Professional Experiences
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1998-2003
ARC Queen Elizabeth II Fellow
CSIRO -
2003-2006
Group Leader, Conservation Biology
CSIRO -
2006-2011
Theme Leader, Sustainable Agriculture Flagship
CSIRO -
2011-2014
Research Program Leader, Plant Production & Protection
CSIRO -
2014-2015
Senior Science Lead, Integrated Reform Program
CSIRO -
2015-2020
Deputy Director, Organisational Development
CSIRO