Dr. Rachael Dudaniec
My lab investigates how micro-evolutionary changes at the molecular level result in macro-ecological patterns, and how landscape and climatic features affect this. This involves looking at how developed landscapes and deforestation influence gene flow, how a changing climate affects adaptability of species that are expanding their ranges, or how parasites shape the behaviour and evolution of species. My lab aims to produce results that can inform conservation outcomes, by providing tools supported by field data at ecological and molecular levels. We use a combination of genomic sequencing data, landscape data and eco-evolutionary models to answer pressing questions about how humans are shaping biodiversity and species' responses to changing environments.
Teaching
I convene BIOL206 'Genetics' (2nd year), and co-convene the Masters of Conservation Biology unit BIOL875 - 'Contemporary Conservation in Australia'. I also teach in to the following units: BIOL334, BIOL349, BIOL326.
Brief background:
Current position
Senior Lecturer in Biological Sciences (Conservation Biology) (since 2018):
Department of Biological Sciences
Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
2015-2017
Lecturer in Biological Sciences (Conservation Biology)
Department of Biological Sciences
Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
Postdoctoral Research positions
2013-2015 Marie Curie Postdoctoral Researcher (funding: MC-IIF)
Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
2011 –2012 Postdoctoral Researcher (funding: ARC Linkage)
School of GPEM, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
2008-2011 Postdoctoral Researcher (funding: BC Government Forest Science Program)
Department of Forest Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
Education
2005-2008 PhD in Ecology and Evolution
School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
2004 Honours in Biology (First Class)
School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
2001-2003 Bachelor of Science in Biodiversity and Conservation
Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
CURRENT LAB MEMBERS
My lab investigates how micro-evolutionary changes at the molecular level result in macro-ecological patterns, and how landscape and climatic features affect this. This involves looking at how developed landscapes and deforestation influence gene flow, how a changing climate affects adaptability of species that are expanding their ranges, or how parasites shape the behaviour and evolution of species. My lab aims to produce results that can inform conservation outcomes, by providing tools supported by field data at ecological and molecular levels. We use a combination of genomic sequencing data, landscape data and eco-evolutionary models to answer pressing questions about how humans are shaping biodiversity and species' responses to changing environments.
Teaching
I convene BIOL206 'Genetics' (2nd year), and co-convene the Masters of Conservation Biology unit BIOL875 - 'Contemporary Conservation in Australia'. I also teach in to the following units: BIOL334, BIOL349, BIOL326.
Brief background:
Current position
Senior Lecturer in Biological Sciences (Conservation Biology) (since 2018):
Department of Biological Sciences
Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
2015-2017
Lecturer in Biological Sciences (Conservation Biology)
Department of Biological Sciences
Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
Postdoctoral Research positions
2013-2015 Marie Curie Postdoctoral Researcher (funding: MC-IIF)
Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
2011 –2012 Postdoctoral Researcher (funding: ARC Linkage)
School of GPEM, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
2008-2011 Postdoctoral Researcher (funding: BC Government Forest Science Program)
Department of Forest Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
Education
2005-2008 PhD in Ecology and Evolution
School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
2004 Honours in Biology (First Class)
School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
2001-2003 Bachelor of Science in Biodiversity and Conservation
Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
CURRENT LAB MEMBERS
Nusrat Jahan Sanzida (Masters Student)
Nusrat is investigating how macroinvertebrate communities respond to fire in Blue Mountains swamps. With macroinvertebrate sampling before and after fire the 2020 bushfires that ravaged Australia, Nusrat is examining how sensitive swamp ecosystems recover from fire.This project is a part of a NSW Saving Our Species and NSW Environmental Trust funded research program (led by Rachael Dudaniec) Nusrat has completed a Masters of Conservatio Biology at Macquarie University and is undertaking 2nd year Masters of Research in 2020.
Nusrat is investigating how macroinvertebrate communities respond to fire in Blue Mountains swamps. With macroinvertebrate sampling before and after fire the 2020 bushfires that ravaged Australia, Nusrat is examining how sensitive swamp ecosystems recover from fire.This project is a part of a NSW Saving Our Species and NSW Environmental Trust funded research program (led by Rachael Dudaniec) Nusrat has completed a Masters of Conservatio Biology at Macquarie University and is undertaking 2nd year Masters of Research in 2020.
Lauren Common (PhD student)
Lauren is a PhD student at Flinders University (South Australia) jointly supervised by Rachael Dudaniec and Sonia Kleindorfer (Flinders University). Lauren is investigating the behaviour and population genomics of the introduced avian parasite to the Galapagos Islands, Philornis downsi. Lauren is examining fitness costs of Philornis parasitism in Darwin's finches, changes in host-parasite interactions, and is answering questions about the fly's biology using genomic data (relatedness, dispersal and local adaptation) collected across islands of the Galapagos.
Lauren is a PhD student at Flinders University (South Australia) jointly supervised by Rachael Dudaniec and Sonia Kleindorfer (Flinders University). Lauren is investigating the behaviour and population genomics of the introduced avian parasite to the Galapagos Islands, Philornis downsi. Lauren is examining fitness costs of Philornis parasitism in Darwin's finches, changes in host-parasite interactions, and is answering questions about the fly's biology using genomic data (relatedness, dispersal and local adaptation) collected across islands of the Galapagos.
Cecillia Hjort (PhD student -Joint PhD program)
Cecillia (Cilla) is a Joint PhD student at Lund University in Sweden (Biology Department) and Macquarie University, supervised by Prof Henrik Smith and Rachael Dudaniec. Cilla is using Whole Genome Sequencing data and RADseq data of European bumblebees, Bombus terrestris, to examine population and landscape genetic structure of bumblebees in southern Sweden with a comparison in Australia. In Sweden Cilla is looking at hybridisation between commercially released and native B. terrestris and landscape genomic relationships. In Tasmania (Australia) B. terrestris is invasive, and Cilla will be examining patterns of local adaptation and landscape genetic connectivity to help understand potential invasion pathways of bumblebees elsewhere within Australia. Contact: cecilia.hjort@students.mq.edu.au
Cecillia (Cilla) is a Joint PhD student at Lund University in Sweden (Biology Department) and Macquarie University, supervised by Prof Henrik Smith and Rachael Dudaniec. Cilla is using Whole Genome Sequencing data and RADseq data of European bumblebees, Bombus terrestris, to examine population and landscape genetic structure of bumblebees in southern Sweden with a comparison in Australia. In Sweden Cilla is looking at hybridisation between commercially released and native B. terrestris and landscape genomic relationships. In Tasmania (Australia) B. terrestris is invasive, and Cilla will be examining patterns of local adaptation and landscape genetic connectivity to help understand potential invasion pathways of bumblebees elsewhere within Australia. Contact: cecilia.hjort@students.mq.edu.au
Former lab members
Natalie Caulfield (Masters of Research Student)
Natalie completed her Masters research (commenced 2019) on ‘Characterising swamp biodiversity and community structure with environmental DNA’, supervised by Anthony Chariton and Rachael Dudaniec. For her project she collected sediment samples from swamps within the Sydney Basin Bioregion and will use DNA metabarcoding techniques to investigate the biodiversity found in these environments. Apart from learning the most recent techniques in eDNA research, Natalie is also interested in conservation genetics and wildlife management. This project is a part of a NSW Saving Our Species and NSW Environmental Trust funded research program (led by Rachael Dudaniec). Natalie is now undertaking a PhD in the same area with Anthony Chariton. Contact: natalie.caulfield@hdr.mq.edu.au
Natalie completed her Masters research (commenced 2019) on ‘Characterising swamp biodiversity and community structure with environmental DNA’, supervised by Anthony Chariton and Rachael Dudaniec. For her project she collected sediment samples from swamps within the Sydney Basin Bioregion and will use DNA metabarcoding techniques to investigate the biodiversity found in these environments. Apart from learning the most recent techniques in eDNA research, Natalie is also interested in conservation genetics and wildlife management. This project is a part of a NSW Saving Our Species and NSW Environmental Trust funded research program (led by Rachael Dudaniec). Natalie is now undertaking a PhD in the same area with Anthony Chariton. Contact: natalie.caulfield@hdr.mq.edu.au
Sonu Yadav (PhD student)
Project title: 'Drivers of landscape genetic patterns and environmental adaptation in Australian grasshoppers'
Sonu completed her PhD in August 2019 , supervised by Rachael Dudaniec and Adam Stow. She investigated the role of genetic adaptation, landscape connectivity and environmental variables in determining species’ ranges and phenotypic traits along latitudinal and altitudinal gradients using genomic data. Here study species were the wingless grasshopper (Phaulacridium vittatum) and grasshoppers of the genus Koscioscola in the Australian Alps (Thredbo, Guthega and Jagungal).
Sonu is now a post-doctoral researcher at the University of New South Wales.
Project title: 'Drivers of landscape genetic patterns and environmental adaptation in Australian grasshoppers'
Sonu completed her PhD in August 2019 , supervised by Rachael Dudaniec and Adam Stow. She investigated the role of genetic adaptation, landscape connectivity and environmental variables in determining species’ ranges and phenotypic traits along latitudinal and altitudinal gradients using genomic data. Here study species were the wingless grasshopper (Phaulacridium vittatum) and grasshoppers of the genus Koscioscola in the Australian Alps (Thredbo, Guthega and Jagungal).
Sonu is now a post-doctoral researcher at the University of New South Wales.
Chuan Ji Yong (Masters of Research student)
CJ completed his Masters research on genomic adaptation in Ischnura elegans in mid 2019 under supervision by Rachael Dudaniec and co-supervision of international collaborators Lesley Lancaster (University of Aberdeen), Bengt Hansson, and Erik Svensson (Lund University). CJ investigated genome wide signatures of selection according to the sex chromosomes of the range expanding damselfly in Sweden, Ischnura elegans.
CJ completed his Masters research on genomic adaptation in Ischnura elegans in mid 2019 under supervision by Rachael Dudaniec and co-supervision of international collaborators Lesley Lancaster (University of Aberdeen), Bengt Hansson, and Erik Svensson (Lund University). CJ investigated genome wide signatures of selection according to the sex chromosomes of the range expanding damselfly in Sweden, Ischnura elegans.
Alex Carey (Masters of Research student)
Alex completed his Masters of Research thesis in November 2018 on the landscape genetics of range expanding damselfly, Ischnura elegans, in Sweden to untangle how neutral genetic variation is structured by climate and landscape variables during range expansion, how this differs between the sexes, and how this affects morphological variation and local adaptation
Alex completed his Masters of Research thesis in November 2018 on the landscape genetics of range expanding damselfly, Ischnura elegans, in Sweden to untangle how neutral genetic variation is structured by climate and landscape variables during range expansion, how this differs between the sexes, and how this affects morphological variation and local adaptation
Bridget Campbell (lab internship)
Bridget has diverse research interestes and has been working in our lab since 2017 on two sampling gradients of 1) pest grasshopper Phaulacridium vittatum and 2) the damselfly Ischnura heterosticta (together with PhD student Kawsar Khan) in New South Wales and QLD to answer questions about how populations sizes and phenotypic variation covary with environmental conditions. Bridget is commencing her Masters project in 2018 with Dr Emilie Ens on cross-cultural conservation with Indigenous communities in Arnhem land, while also working on the above!!
Bridget has diverse research interestes and has been working in our lab since 2017 on two sampling gradients of 1) pest grasshopper Phaulacridium vittatum and 2) the damselfly Ischnura heterosticta (together with PhD student Kawsar Khan) in New South Wales and QLD to answer questions about how populations sizes and phenotypic variation covary with environmental conditions. Bridget is commencing her Masters project in 2018 with Dr Emilie Ens on cross-cultural conservation with Indigenous communities in Arnhem land, while also working on the above!!
Sarah Reid-Anderson (lab internship)
Sarah completed Masters project on the landscape and conservation genetics of Grey Nurse Sharks in Australia (together with Primary Supervisor Assoc/Prof Adam Stow and co-supervisor Dr Kerstin Bilgmann) in 2017. Prior to this Sarah undertook an internship in our lab extracting DNA from Darwin's finches in 2016, and also been a field assistant in the lab working on damselfly collections in Australia.
Sarah completed Masters project on the landscape and conservation genetics of Grey Nurse Sharks in Australia (together with Primary Supervisor Assoc/Prof Adam Stow and co-supervisor Dr Kerstin Bilgmann) in 2017. Prior to this Sarah undertook an internship in our lab extracting DNA from Darwin's finches in 2016, and also been a field assistant in the lab working on damselfly collections in Australia.
