Epigenetics, Evolution, and Developmenal Biology

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How do gene-environment interactions drive trait development during embryogenesis?

I am a Post-doctoral Research Fellow at the University of Canberra’s Institute for Applied Ecology. In 2022, I completed my PhD on the thermal influences on sex determination and differentiation in two Australian dragon lizards. My thesis consisted of seven chapters, all of which are published (see full list here).

I am interested in understanding how gene-evironment interactions can influence the development of fundamental traits, like sexual phenotype. My two main model organisms, the central bearded dragon and the Jacky dragon, have sex determination systems that are influenced by temperature during embryonic development. This makes them compelling species to use to understand how temperature determines sex.