Professor of Sensory Ecology & Evolution

Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life & Environmental Sciences

Deakin University

I am primarily interested in the joint evolution of multiple genetically unrelated traits within the same organism under the influence of environmental factors and I approach this using colour vision, colour patterns, and visual signalling.

Senses determine how animals find and discriminate between potential mates, prey or predators. When its
environment changes a species' perception of the world changes because environments determine the
physical properties on which the senses depend. This has direct effects on fitness; after change species
must evolve or go extinct. I will use visual physiology and environmental parameters to predict evolutionary
changes in three suites of genetically unrelated traits: signals, choice behaviour and the visual system. I am testing the resulting explicit predictions about the direction and course of evolution. I use guppies in experimental microcosms and Bowerbirds in my main projects and my students and I also work with insets, spiders, amphibians, and reptiles.

2007-present Fellow, American Academy of Arts and Sciences

2001-present Exemplar, Animal Behaviour Society