Research
I completed my PhD on the biology and behaviour of New Zealand ladybirds, supervised by Dr Anne Wignall, Prof James Dale and Dr Richard Leschen (Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research) early this year (April 2021). My research is curiosity driven, addressing underlying mechanisms that drive variation in biology and behaviour in diverse species. Read more about my research by clicking on the links below.
Investigating the effect of invasive species on native and introduced ladybirds (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in New Zealand.
Using ladybirds as a model system, to investigate the role of inter- and intraspecific variation in functionally important traits on establishment success of introduced species.
First molecular phylogeny of New Zealand ladybirds provides insights on how evolutionary relationships may have influenced the establishment success of introduced species in New Zealand.
In a recent project on nationally endangered bottlenose dolphins, we investigate vocalisations across two populations of bottlenose dolphins in New Zealand.