Working with governments and industry to produce robust research and positive outcomes for conservation.
About
I am currently a postdoctoral researcher for the Celine Frere Research Group at The University of Queensland. The work that I do in this lab is collaborating with governments and industry to deliver cost-effective wildlife monitoring services, conducting novel gut microbiome analyses (currently of Koalas), and producing important wildlife conservation outcomes.
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Are you a council/government employee looking for robust, cost-effective wildlife monitoring solutions? Get in touch! (see below). We use hanging eDNA air filters and associated DNA labwork to determine what species occur where. This technique is immensely powerful, likely to replace current manual, invasive trapping techniques, and even non-invasive 'trapping' techniques like camera traps because ID can be very difficult on camera images, but DNA doesn't lie!
Koalas
The reasons for koala population declines are well known. They include habitat loss and fragmentation (which reduces genetic diversity and connectivity), infectious disease caused by the bacterial pathogen, Chlamydia (which causes blindness and sterility), and risks associated with koala movement in human-altered landscapes (including dog attacks and car strikes).
Our group undertakes research to collect and analyse fine-scale information about 1) where koala populations are, 2) how connected versus isolated they are, 3) how healthy they are, and 4) how they move in the landscape.
Outcomes
We apply next-generation sequencing for genetic analyses of Airborne eDNA and scats. This allows us to investigate koala landscape genomics and help develop evidence-based management strategies for the conservation of the species.
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The Celine Frere Research Group has delivered 30 applied research projects about koala health and distribution for local and state government as well as NGOs. We welcome engagement with environmental consultants and others working in the sector. Get in touch!
Koala and joey, near Gatton, Qld. © CNZdenek
Contact Us
Address
Research Road,
University of Queensland
St. Lucia, Queensland 4072
Contact
0475267909
Opening Hours
Mon - Fri
9:00 am – 3:00 pm