EDUCATION
- PhD in Applied Science, Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Australia, graduated December 2008
“Sex chromosome microsatellite markers from an Australian marsupial: development, application and evolution” - BSc (Honours) in Zoology and Genetics, University of Sheffield, England, graduated July 1999
Included a laboratory-based research project using genetics to sex hatchlings of the great tit (Parus major).
EXPERIENCE
- Principal Research Scientist, Australian Antarctic Division, 2025-current
- Senior Research Scientist, Australian Antarctic Division, 2021-2025
- Projects Manager, Oz Mammals Genomics Initiative, The Australian National University, 2017-2020
- Adjunct Professional Associate, Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, 2017-2020 (Honorary)
- Fisheries Scientist, ABARES, Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, 2016-2017
- Curator: Frozen Tissue and Associated Collections, Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, 2016
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Conservation and Population Genetics, Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, 2008-2016
- Laboratory Manager, Trace DNA Laboratory, Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, 2010-2012
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Research School of Biological Sciences, The Australian National University, 2008
- Associate Lecturer, Faculty of Science, University of Canberra, 2008
- Research Assistant, Wildlife Genetics Laboratory, Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, 2007-2008
- Visiting Fellow, Comparative Genomics Group, Research School of Biological Sciences, The Australian National University, 2005 (Honorary)
- Tutor (laboratory and field classes), University of Canberra, 2003-2007
- Technical Officer, Food and Nutritional Sciences group, CSIRO Plant Industry, 2002
- Laboratory Technician, Molecular Genetics Group, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, 2000-2002
- Volunteer and Research Assistant, Australian National Insect Collection, CSIRO, 1999-2000
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS AND SERVICE
- Member of Australian Mammal Society, Australian Marine Sciences Association, Ecological Society of Australia, Genetics Society of AustralAsia, Society for Conservation Biology, Southern eDNA Society
- Co-chair, GEO BON Genetic Composition Working Group since 2018
- Member,GEO BON Implementation Committee since 2018
- Member, IUCN-SSC Conservation Genetics Specialist Group since 2017
- Member, Genetics Society of Australasia committee since 2013
(Tasmania representative since 2023, Secretary 2017-2023, ACT representative 2013-2017) - Member, Australian Biosciences Data Capability expert group, digital infrastructure for conservation genomics, 2018
- Member, EMBL-ABR Open Science Special Interest Group, 2017
- Reviewer for journals including: Animal Biotechnology; Australian Journal of Zoology; Australian Mammalogy; Biological Conservation; Conservation Genetics, Conservation Genetics Resources; Ecology and Evolution; Environmental DNA; Forensic Science Medicine and Pathology; Journal of Heredity; Methods in Ecology and Evolution; Molecular Ecology Resources; PLoS One; Scientific Reports; and Wildlife Research. Guest co-editor, Genes special issue on “Marsupial genetics and genomics”.
- Reviewer for grants and awards: e.g. GEO BON / Microsoft grants 2020; Genetics Society of AustralAsia Awards; Genetics Society of AustralAsia student grants.
RESEARCH STUDENTS SUPERVISED
- Elodie Modave (PhD 2013-2017, University of Canberra)
Identification, distribution and diet of Tasmanian predators inferred by scat DNA - Catriona Campbell (PhD 2013-2017, University of Canberra)
Molecular approaches define the interactions and impacts of Tasmania’s native, introduced and invasive marsupials
- Nur Iylani Ramlee (Honours 2016, University of Canberra)
Developing DNA markers for the individual identification of mammalian predators: a case study of red fox in Australia - Emma Carlson (Honours 2013, University of Canberra)
Inferring conservation units for an endangered Australian dragon
Tympanocryptis pinguicolla: a perspective based on microsatellite DNA analysis
Dr Anna MacDonald 