The AWGG team uses the latest genomic technologies to understand the biology of a range of species and contribute to their conservation. Hear from our amazing team members about their projects and their scientific journey. Enjoy!
The mother of monsters chooses love not war
by Adele Gonsalvez In Greek mythology, Echidna is known as the “mother of monsters” and is a feared half-woman/half-serpent. However,...
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Why do men exist?
by Soleille Miller This remains one of the oldest unanswered questions in biology, pondered by the earliest philosophers in recorded...
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Imitation is the best form of flattery
by Iris Milligan Nature often inspires innovation, with many of us looking to the natural world for solutions in our...
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Academic Adventures to the Other Side of the Globe
by Luke Silver (Post-doc) In August of 2024 I had the exciting opportunity to undertake a three-month research stay in...
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Making it through the final stretch of a PhD in conservation genomics and bioinformatics
by Holly Nelson (PhD Student) Entering the final stage of a PhD is both a marathon and a sprint. After...
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From Cardiff to Maria Island
by Matt Spadaro When I first arrived in Sydney from the UK, I had no idea which project I would...
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How to catch a koala
by Dr. Luke Silver Until recently, the majority of research in the Australasian Wildlife Genomics Group occurred on the Tasmanian...
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The error in your way: a beginner’s guide to troubleshooting command error messages
by Adele Gonsalvez As a bioinformatic newbie, there is a lot to wrap your head around – from understanding basic...
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IT’S MOVING DAY: Threatened Species Edition
by Andrea Schraven (PhD Student) Moving house, city, or country always has its challenges, from adapting to a new environment...
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Australia’s best kept secret: the dunnart
by Kiara Jones (Honours Student) Since starting my Honours research project last year, the question I have been asked the...
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When Cells Rebel: the dark side of evolution
by Patra Petrohilos (PhD Student) I love dystopian horror. I love to relish in the thrill of disgust from the...
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How to catch a Tasmanian devil
by Dr Elspeth McLennan (Post-doc) Tasmanian devils are nocturnal. We set traps during the day and overnight curious devils will...
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Koalas and Chlamydia: How can genomics help?
by Luke Silver (PhD Student) The mention of a koala infected with Chlamydia will often be met with rounds of...
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Making bioinformatics more accessible
by Dr. Kate Farquharson (Post-doc) In the AWGG lab, we are generating genomic resources for diverse Australian vertebrates, including birds,...
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My Favorite Culture Shock: Australia’s Wildlife
by Meadhbh Molloy (PhD Student) I remember when I learned about the Tasmanian devil and DFTD in my Conservation Medicine...
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What my PhD has taught me: Turtles are awesome
by Holly Nelson (PhD Student) So, you probably think Tasmanian Devils are adorable and Koalas are super cute. Well, let...
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Diversity in the Dark: the hidden wonders of subterranean life
by Toby Kovacs (PhD Student) Australia is famous for its unique flora and fauna, harbouring some of the most unique...
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“It’s an iterative process” – lessons learnt during the first year of my PhD
by Andrea Schraven (PhD Student) I began my PhD in July 2021, and in May 2022 I sat down with...
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Holidays in the Sun
by Patra Petrohilos (PhD Student) I am not a seasoned traveller. I can count the number of times I have...
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My Journey to a Wildlife Conservation Degree
by Lucy Ockert (2022 Honours Student) Are you thinking about enrolling in a Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Taronga...
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The Secret Superpower of Frogs
by Simon Tang (2022 Honours Student) An intense, murky river. Densely packed trees, twisting into each other and Mother Earth...
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Why I flew halfway around the world to study two small lizards at the University of Sydney
by Tristan Dodge (Fullbright Scholar) Now that you’ve been drawn in by my clickbait headline, allow me to introduce myself...
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Should I be afraid of the humble platypus?
by Adele Gonsalvez (2022 Honours Student) The platypus. Cute, cuddly, a collection of disparate animal features somehow merged into one...
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