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Professor of Conservation Genomics, University of Canterbury

My research interests focus on the ecological and evolutionary processes that contribute to the formation and maintenance of species boundaries, and the application of this knowledge to enhance the recovery of species at risk. I co-lead the Conservation, Systematics and Evolution Research Team (ConSERT) at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha/University of Canterbury. In partnership with relevant Māori (Indigenous peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand) tribes (iwi or hapū) and in collaboration with conservation practitioners and local communities, we use genomic and non-genomic data to co-develop conservation genetic management strategies for some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s rarest taonga (treasured) species. I am also a co-founder of the Kindness in Science Collective, a diverse collective based in Aotearoa New Zealand leading a culture shift in the science community that embeds kindness to achieve better science outcomes.

Experience

  • –present
    Professor, School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury

Education

  • 2004 
    Queen's University, Kingston, Canada, PhD