Dr. Stephen Kolomyjec

Education:

• 2011. Doctor of Philosophy: Zoology – James Cook University, Australia
• 2006. Grad. Dip. Research Methods: Zoology & Tropical Ecology – James Cook University, Australia
• 2005. Bachelor of Arts (Magna Cum Laude): Biology – Olivet College, USA

PhD Thesis: The history and relationships of northern platypus populations: a molecular approach. Advisors: David Blair PhD and Christopher Johnson PhD.

National Geographic segment on my PhD: http://youtu.be/OVneqhu9oZk

Publications

Martin HC, Batty EM, Hussin J, Westall P, Daish T, Kolomyjec SH, Piazza P, Bowden R, Hawkins M, Grant TR, Moritz C, Grutzner F, Gongora J, and Donnelly P. 2018. Insights into platypus population structure and history from whole-genome sequencing. Molecular Biology and Evolution, 35(5):1238–1252 doi:10.1093/molbev/msy041

Kolomyjec SH, Grant TR, Johnson CN, and Blair, D. 2013. Regional population structuring and conservation units in the platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus). Australian Journal of Zoology, 61(2), 378-385. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/ZO13029

Gongora J, Swan AB, Chong AY, Ho SYW, Damayanti CS, Kolomyjec SH, Grant TR, Miller E, Blair D, Furlan E, Gust N. 2012. Genetic structure and phylogeography of platypuses revealed by mitochondrial DNA. Journal of Zoology, 286(2), 110 – 119. DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7998.2011.00854.x

Kolomyjec SH. 2010. The history and relationships of northern platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) populations: a molecular approach. (Doctoral dissertation, James Cook University).

Kolomyjec SH, Chong JYT, Blair D, Gongora J, Grant TR, Johnson CN, & Moran C. 2009. Population genetics of the platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus): a fine scale look at adjacent river systems. Australian Journal of Zoology, 57, 225-334.

Kolomyjec SH, Grant TR, & Blair D. 2008. Ten polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers for the platypus, Ornithorhynchus anatinus. Molecular Ecology Resources, 8, 1133 – 1135.

Selected Conference & Seminar Presentations

Kolomyjec SH. 2015. Molecular markers, modelling and morphometrics: Increasing our understanding of the platypus. 95th annual meeting of the American Society of Mammalogists. Jacksonville, Florida. Oral Presentation.

Kolomyjec SH, Parsons JG, Johnson, CN, & Blair D. 2009. Climatic constraints on the distribution of the platypus [Ornithorhynchus anatinus]. Tasmanian Platypus Forum, Hobart, Tasmania. Oral Presentation.

Kolomyjec SH, Chong J, Blair D, Girjes A, Gongora J, Grant TR, Johnson C, & Moran C. 2009. Cross-catchment gene flow in the platypus. Australian Mammal Society, Perth, Western Australia. Poster Presentation.

Kolomyjec SH, Chong J, Blair D, Girjes A, Gongora J, Grant TR, Johnson C, & Moran C. 2008. Uncovering platypus structure using microsatellite DNA markers. Boden Research Conference: Beyond the platypus genome, Victor Harbour, South Australia. Oral Presentation.

Kolomyjec, SH. 2008. Genetic relationships of the platypus [Ornithorhynchus anatinus] within and across river systems. Australian Mammal Society, Darwin, Northern Territory. Oral Presentation.

Teaching Experience

Biology I – Cells and Molecules, Biology II - Organismal Biology, Biology III – Diversity of Life, Natural History of the Vertebrates, Genetics, Evolutionary analysis, Anatomy and Physiology, Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy, Mammalogy, Biology Seminar, Marine Biology, Ecology and Conservation, Tropical Marine Ecosystems

Field Experience

Leading students and volunteers on extended/remote field trips (Australia and North America), small/medium mammal capture, biometric assessment, sampling, handling and marking (South Africa, Australia and North America), venomous mammal handling (Australia), large mammal techniques (South Africa), livestock handling (North America), coastal and near-shore marine biology techniques (Australia and North America), lichen collection (North America), and freshwater sponge collection (Australia and North America).

Lab Experience

Population genetic analysis, microsatellite & mitochondrial DNA marker design and optimization, DNA sequencing,16s/18s microbiomics, DNA isolation (animal: blood, tissue, and hair; lichen: tissue), DNA barcoding, photomicroscopy, morphometric analysis (2d & 3d), anatomical display preparation, thin layer chromatography, mammalian leukocyte culture, lichen mycobiont culture.