Chemistry, hydrology and management of acid sulphate soils
Crop and pasture management in relation to soil chemical and physical properties
The role of computers and multimedia in tertiary education

Dr Susan Wilson
Phone: 02 6773 2789
Email: susan.wilson@une.edu.au

Fate, behaviour and bioavailability of contaminants, both organic xenobiotic compounds and metals, in environmental systems, specifically soils
Contaminants in soils amended with biosolids
The environmental chemistry of mining derived As and Sb contaminated soils
Remediation of contaminated soils

Animal Science

Animal Genetics and Breeding

Professor John Gibson
Director, The Institute for Genetics & Bioinformatics
Phone: 02 6773 2930
Email: jgibson5@une.edu

Discovery of genes underlying disease resistance and adaptation
Design of sustainable and profitable breeding programs in developed and developing world
Utilization of molecular genetic technologies in genetic improvement
Assessment and utilization of genetic diversity

Dr Cedric Gondro
Phone: 02 6773 3978
Email: cgondro2@une.edu.au

Evolutionary Computation and Artificial Life for optimization of biological problems
Computational methods and statistical analysis of high-throughput genomic data
Evolution and population genetics

Professor Brian Kinghorn
Phone: 02 6773 2718
Email: bkinghor@une.edu.au

Theoretical quantitative genetics and design of animal breeding programs
Information systems to aid detection and exploitation of genes of major effect
Implementation systems for integrating technical, cost and logistical issues in breeding programs

Professor Anatoly Ruvinsky
Phone: 02 6773 3900
Email: aruvinsk@une.edu.au

Bioinformatics and gene evolution
Molecular population genetics

Professor Julius van der Werf
Phone: 02 6773 2092
Email: jvanderw@une.edu.au

Detection and use of quantitative trait for livestock production
Optimisation of animal breeding programs and use of new technologies in Statistical Genetics
Genetic evaluation and Linear Models

Dr Shubiao Wu
Phone: 02 6773 2238
Email: shubiao.wu@une.edu.au

Plant and animal gene discovery
Molecular genetic mapping
Gene expression and functional analysis

Animal Health

Dr Lewis Kahn
Phone: 02 6773 2997
Email: lkahn3@une.edu.au

Nutritional and genetic regulation of host resistance to internal parasites of sheep
Ecology of major trichostrongylid parasites of sheep
Periparturient relaxation of immunity to internal parasites of sheep
Grazing management and effects on animal production and natural resource management
Strategies to reduce neonatal lamb mortality
Nutrition of grazing herbivores

Dr Colin Scrivener
Phone: 02 6773 2778
Email: cscrive2@une.edu.au

Integrated parasite management in sheep
Holistic approaches to worm control

Associate Professor Steve Walkden-Brown
Phone: 02 6773 5152
Email: swalkden@.une.edu.au

Diseases of sheep and goats with a special interest in the integrated control of internal parasites
Diseases of poultry with a special interest in Marek’s disease of chickens
Sheep and goat production systems
The teleology and regulation of seasonality in ruminants

Animal Nutrition

Mrs Wendy Brown
Phone: 02 6773 5125
Email: wbrown@.une.edu.au

Companion animal health and nutrition
Canine dental health
Urate urolithiasis in the Dalmatian
Palatability testing
Grass eating behaviour in dogs

Dr Lene Mikkelsen
Phone: 02 6773 5124
Email: lene.mikkelsen.une.edu.au

Nutrition of pigs and poultry
Gut microbiology
Gastrointestinal physiology and function
Evaluation of alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters for pigs and poultry

Professor John Nolan
Phone: 02 6773 2605
Email: jnolan@pobox.une.edu.au

Ruminant nutrition; supplementing diets with urea and ‘escape’ protein
Degradation of plant protein in the rumen
Estimation of microbial growth in the rumen using urinary excretion of purine derivatives
Protein synthesis and degradation in animal tissues
Voluntary food intake and selective grazing behaviour
Use of istopic tracers in biological research

Dr Darryl Savage
Phone: 02 6773 3623
Email: Darryl.Savage@une.edu.au

Animal nutrition, in particular carbohydrate and protein digestion
Supplementary feeding of cattle and sheep and the impact it has on growth and reproduction
Rangeland ecology with particular interest in the impact of grazing management practices

Mr Amit Setia
Phone: 02 6773 5126
Email: asetia@une.edu.au

Poultry nutrition
Gut microbiology

Sheep and Wool Science

Professor David Cottle
Phone: 02 6773 2178
Email: dcottle@une.edu.au

Wool traits in Merino sire evaluation
Risk management in wool supply chains
Modelling wool production
Wool colour
Nutrition and wool characteristics

Dr Emma Doyle
Phone: 02 6773 3094
Email: edoyle3@une.edu.au

Sheep parasitology
Nutrition and sheep/wool production

Animal Physiology

Dr Ian Godwin
Phone: 02 6773 2488
Email: igodwin@une.edu.au

Comparative erythrocyte biochemistry
The regulation of gastrointestinal motility in ruminants
Comparative gastrointestinal development
Aquaculture

Animal Production

Associate Professor Geoff Hinch
Phone: 02 6773 2202
Email: ghinch@une.edu.au

The behaviour of farm animals, in particular the impact of social behaviour on production and welfare
Nutrition x reproduction interactions in ruminant animals, in particular the manipulation of neonatal survival
Aspects of artificial breeding technologies (superovulation and embryo transfer) in small ruminants

Meat Science

Dr Geert Geesink
Phone: 02 6773 3257
Email: geert.geesink@une.edu.au

Post mortem proteolysis in muscle tissue
Determinants of meat quality

Professor John Thompson
Phone: 67732228
Email: jthompso@une.edu.au

Techniques to measure in vivo body composition; different physiological stresses (weight loss, pregnancy and lactation)
Aspects of meat quality

Poultry Science

Dr Paul Iji
Phone: 02 6773 2082
Email: piji@une.edu.au

Nutrition of poultry and pigs
Effects of anti-nutritional factors on farm animals
Development of digestive function in poultry
Nutritional application of biotechnology feed additives (microbial enzymes; prebiotics)
Evaluation of alternative feed resources for poultry and pigs

Associate Professor Julie Roberts
Phone: 02 6773 2506
Email: jrobert2@une.edu.au

Egg and egg shell quality in laying hens
Infectious bronchitis disease in laying hens
Kidney structure and function in avian species

Environmental Sciences and Natural Resources

Botany

Dr David Backhouse
Phone: 02 6773 2341
Email: dbackhou@une.edu.au

Epidemiology and management of soil-borne plant diseases
Population ecology of soil fungi
Biological indicators of soil health
Plant-pathogen interactions

Associate Professor Jeremy Bruhl
Phone: 02 6773 2429
Email: jbruhl@une.edu.au

Systematics of Cyperaceae worldwide
Floral development, photosynthetic pathway variation and biology of Cyperaceae
Biology, biogeography and taxonomy of Australian plants

Associate Professor Peter Clarke
Phone: 02 6773 3712
Email: pclarke1@une.edu.au

Fire ecology
Remnant vegetation
Plant invasion ecology
Mangrove and saltmarsh dynamics
Arid zone plant ecology

Dr Glenda Vaughton
Phone: 02 6773 2595
Email: gvaughto@une.edu.au

Evolution and ecology of plant mating systems
Gender strategies in plants
Pollination biology and floral evolution
The evolution of selfing from outcrossing
Life cycle patterns and life history evolution
Population ecology of rare plants and weeds

Dr Nigel Warwick
Phone: 02 6773 2575
Email: nwarwick@une.edu.au

Nutrient dynamics in arid, semi-arid and humid plant communities
Ecophysiology of drought stress
Ecophysiology of plants in saline and arid environments

Ecosystem Management

Professor Andrew Boulton
Phone: 02 6773 3760
Email: aboulton@une.edu.au

Use of aquatic invertebrates as biomonitors of water quality, specifically looking at coastal streams and sedimentation; leaf breakdown; subsurface invertebrates in gravel beds
Ecology of aquatic insects and their response to floods, drought, and human-induced impacts; the role of aquatic insects in leaf breakdown

Associate Professor Caroline Gross
Phone: 02 6773 3759
Email: cgross@une.edu.au

Conservation, management and ecology of endangered plants
Reproductive requirements of pioneer species
Bee pollination
Plant systematics and evolution
Plant biodiversity in grassland ecosystems

Dr Lalit Kumar
Phone: 02 6773 5239
Email: lkumar@une.edu.au

GIS and remote sensing applications in biodiversity, conservation planning, species distribution, rangeland management, forest ecosystems
Spatial modelling including GRID based modelling, habitat modelling, risk and sensitivity modelling
Mobile GIS applications in natural resources management
Hyperspectral remote sensing in forestry and wetlands
Decision support systems

Dr Lisa Lobry de Bruyn
Phone: 02 6773 3119
Email: llobryde@une.edu.au

The role of soil fauna (notably ants, termites and earthworms) in modifying a range of physical, chemical and morphological soil properties
The ramifications of soil/fauna interactions for agricultural, forestry, mining and native vegetation conservation and rehabilitation issues
The perceptions of land users about land degradation and soil health

Associate Professor Nick Reid
Phone: 02 6773 2759
Email: nrei3@une.edu.au

Biodiversity conservation and fire management
Agroforestry, farm forestry, revegetation and ecosystem rehabilitation
Environmental dispute resolution
Park and wildland management
Ecosystem function and health of trees in agricultural landscapes
Ecology and management of mistletoes
Ornithology and avian ecology
Vegetation ecology and management

Dr Darren Ryder
Phone: 02 6773 5226
Email: dryder2@une.edu.au

Rehabilitation of wetland and riverine systems
River function as bioindicators
Environmental flows in coastal and inland aquatic systems
Aquatic food webs and their response to floods
Droughts and human-induced impacts
Algal ecology
Biogeochemistry of aquatic systems

Dr Karl Vernes
Phone: 02 6773 3255
Email: kvernes@une.edu.au

Dietary ecology of mycophagous ('fungus-eating') mammals
Ecology and conservation of terrestrial vertebrates, especially threatened marsupials
Wild horse ecology and management
Wildlife management
Spatial ecology (home range, movement and habitat use) of macropods
Response of vertebrate populations to fire
Diversity and distribution of hypogeal fungi ('truffles')

Dr Glenn Wilson
Phone: 02 6773 3078
Email: envirosc@une.edu.au

Population ecology of rocky intertidal fishes
Habitat requirements of threatened riverine fishes
Larval ecology and recruitment of riverine fishes
Wetland ecology - Lower Gingham-Gwydir wetlands

Environmental Engineering

Assoc Prof Richard Faulkner
Phone: 02 6773 3392
02 6648 3924
Email: rfaulkne@une.edu.au

Irrigation - the hydrology/water balance of surface irrigation and the operational and management techniques to achieve most efficient use of water. The estimation of crop water requirements and irrigation scheduling
Hydrology - urban drainage systems. The estimation of environmental flows. Floodplain management
The development of human and animal powered pumps
The effect of land treatment and management regimes on residual soil carbon
The management of water supply dams, with special reference to algae problems
The influence of irrigated agriculture on water quality in river systems
The impact of land-use on hydrology and health of estuarine systems

Mr Rex Glencross-Grant
Phone: 02 6773 2668
Email: rglencro@une.edu.au

Solid waste management - construction and demolition wastes, reuse of waste materials (current internal research grant)
Role of road corridors in rural and regional NSW (research funds provided by NSW Roadside Environment Committee)
Investigation of suitability of stabilised earth tilt-up panels for low cost/appropriate building in remote and developing areas for indigenous people
Improved engineering utilisation of sustainable natural resources, such as timber (e.g. use of Norfolk Island pine)
Heritage engineering - history, preservation/conservation and/or restoration (in conjunction with Northern Group of Engineers Australia)

Dr Janelle Wilkes
Phone: 02 6773 2025
Email: jwilkes2@une.edu.au

Monitoring and management of salt movement from beef cattle feedlots
Environmental impact of sewage treatment plants (biosolids and wastewater) to land
Acid sulphate soil monitoring

Geology/Earth Sciences

Associate Professor Paul Ashley
Phone: 02 6773 2348
Email: pashley@une.edu.au

Hydrothermal ore deposits
Environmental geochemistry of catchments
Regolith geochemistry and processes

Dr Frances Spiller
Phone: 02 6773 2496
Email: fspiller@une.edu.au

Palaeontology; Palaeozoic and Mesozoic radiolarian biostratigraphy
Sedimentology
Landform evolution
Geographic information systems
Online teaching and learning

Zoology

Dr Nigel Andrew
Phone: 02 6773 2937
Email: nigel.andrew@une.edu.au

Insect herbivores and herbivory
Potential impacts of climate change on insect interactions, physiology & behaviour
Insect community structure along environmental and evolutionary gradients
Tri-trophic interactions (plant: insect herbivores: predators & parasitoids)

Dr Stuart Cairns
Phone: 02 6773 2170
Email: scairns@une.edu.au

Population dynamics
Resource allocation
Habitat utilisation macropod
Marsupial ecology experimental ecology

Professor Hugh Ford
Phone: 02 6773 2376
Email: hford@une.edu.au

Ornithology
Behavioural ecology of woodland and forest birds
Conservation biology in rural landscapes
Biology of honeyeaters
Ecology and conservation of coastal wetland birds

Professor Fritz Geiser
Phone: 02 6773 2868/3923
Email: fgeiser@une.edu.au

Physiological ecology of animals; energetics in mammals, birds, lizards and invertebrates
Thermoregulation in mammals, birds and reptiles
Hibernation and torpor in mammals, birds and lizards
Dietary lipids

Associate Professor Steve Smith
Phone: 02 6773 3908
Email: ssmith@nmsc.edu.au

Marine and estuary ecology
Natural spatial and temporal variation
Human impacts
Conservation and management
Biogeography
Ecological processes

Global UNE Links:

School of Environmental and Rural Science

Sub sections:

Research Interests

Agronomy and Soil Science

Animal Science

Environmental Sciences & Natural Resources

Agronomy and Soil Science

Crop Agronomy

Pasture Agronomy

Horticultural Science and Plant Biotechnology

Insect Pest Management

Weed Ecology and Management

Soil Science

Animal Science

Animal Genetics and Breeding

Animal Health

Animal Nutrition

Sheep and Wool Science

Animal Physiology

Animal Production

Meat Science

Poultry Science

Environmental Sciences and Natural Resources

Botany

Ecosystem Management

Environmental Engineering

Geology/Earth Sciences

Zoology