Evolutionary Biology
Researchers in the School of Biological Sciences explore the evolutionary history of animals, plants and humans through genetics, forensic science, palaeontology, developmental biology and bioinformatics.
Our scientists use ancient and modern DNA techniques to ‘travel through time’ so we can understand the evolutionary history of living and extinct vertebrates. We assess the impacts of past environmental change on animal populations, and this provides valuable genetic data for conservation and management of threatened species.
We explore human evolution and migration, in particular the human evolutionary history of Indigenous Australians, through key collaboration with the South Australian Museum and Aboriginal families and communities around Australia.
Our evolutionary biologists also apply expertise in forensic biology and new genomic techniques to analyse highly degraded human remains for the Australian Defence Force, Australian Police and humanitarian agencies.
Ecology and Evolution Series
Free weekly science seminars that are curious and cutting-edge.
Our research strengths
Leaders in evolutionary biology research
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Key researchers
Researcher Focus area Professor Andrew Austin Biology, systematics and molecular phylogenetics of parasitic wasps, the evolution of host-parasitoid interactions, and the biodiversity and phylogeography of groundwater arthropods. Associate Professor Jeremy Austin Evolutionary biology working in the fields of ancient DNA, molecular ecology, conservation genetics and forensic biology. Dr John Conran Character evolution, palaeobotany and biogeography of Australasian plants. Associate Professor Diego García-Bellido Early animal evolution: functional morphology, phylogenetic relationships and exceptional fossil record of Ediacaran and Cambrian biotas. Professor Megan Lewis Earth observation using remote sensing (from satellites, aircraft, lab & field instruments, and now drones) to document, analyse and monitor landscape composition and variation in space and time. Professor Andrew Lowe Examining the genetic structure of species to understand their dynamics and a basis for conservation management, as well as to track the origin of products, e.g. wood. Dr Bertram Ostendorf Spatial, interdisciplinary big data analysis and decision making in natural, agricultural, and urban environments including weather impact, precision wildlife management, precision agriculture, traffic, health. Associate Professor David Paton Conservation and habitat restoration and revegetation, particularly the responses of flora and fauna to fire and drought. Ecology and behaviour of birds; bees and pollination; and the management of pests such as cats, koalas and birds. Dr Kate Sanders Speciation, trait evolution and biodiversity conservation, especially in marine snakes. Dr Emma Sherratt Morphometrics - the quantitative study of organismal size and shape applied to systematics and phylogenetics, macroevolution, developmental biology and palaeontology. Dr Vicki Thomson Use of DNA to investigate how Australasian animals have adapted and will adapt to changing environments. Professor Michelle Waycott Systematics and evolution of the Australian Flora in a global context using genomics, DNA, forensic and trait based approaches. -
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Related research centres
Australian Centre for Ancient DNA
Ancient human migration, megafaunal extinction, ancient microbiomes and forensic analysis, through advanced DNA facilities with dedicated bioinformatics capabilities.
Australian Centre for Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity
A centre of expertise in systematics, evolutionary biology and biodiversity science, with a focus on Australian flora and fauna.
Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage
Safeguarding our national heritage, connecting with communities and informing policy.
Evolutionary biology news
9
Jul
Episode 4, In Their Element Podcast Meet science graduate Jacob Maher, who was sure his career was going to be finding out who's who in the zoo, but graduated with a passion for all things nature.