School of Animal Biology

Research

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We have eight dedicated research strengths and place a major emphasis on the postgraduate research programs.

Each of these strengths reflects the interests of our would leading researchers, each uses state-of-the-art equipment, methods and facilities in the quest to further our understanding of animal biology.

Animals and Industry: The clean, green, ethical concept drives our research in the science of animal production. Our focus is on pasture-based production systems, but we also work with intensive industries (pigs, chickens, dairy), including aquaculture.
Animal Structure and Function: We strive to understand how animals have evolved adaptations in their physiology to overcome the environmental challenges they face now and will face in the future as the climate changes.
Ecology: We study the community and population ecology of terrestrial and aquatic animals. Our research asks both fundamental and applied questions about the ecology of animals in pristine habitats and those affected by the activities of humans.
Evolutionary Biology: We adopt a multidisciplinary approach to explore selection acting on the behavioural, morphological, and life history traits of whole organisms and their gametes. Our research explores evolutionary responses to selection at the phenotypic and genomic level, with the broad aim of discovering how organisms adapt to their changing environment.
Experimental and Regenerative Neuroscience: We use animal models of abnormal brain development and neurotrauma to understand mechanisms contributing to brain dysfunction and its treatment in neurological conditions and after traumatic injury.
Neuroecology: We strive to understand how animals detect light, odours, sound, water movement and electric and magnetic fields and use these environmental cues to feed, avoid predators, find reproductive partners and navigate throughout their habitat, whether this is aquatic (fishes and sharks), terrestrial (amphibians, reptiles and mammals) or even aerial (birds).
Science Communication: Science communicators interpret scientific and technological information and make it accessible to diverse audiences. They facilitate dialogue about science and technology with a goal to enhance understanding, discussion and informed decision making.
Wildlife Management: Our aim is to find management strategies that can be adopted to protect endangered and vulnerable animals, and to control feral animals and pests.
Postgraduate research: Our postgraduate students are carrying out a variety of research work, from gene expression to the ecology of threatened populations. Our students work on invertebrates and vertebrates, from marine systems to the arid outback of Australia and beyond. The aim of our students is to achieve international excellence.