CURRICULUM VITAE - BRIEF
SUMMARY:
I have had a distinguished career as research scientist and teacher. I have helped transform ecological/ environmental science, through development of Foraging Theory to understand the ways in which organisms obtain food and other resources, and then using this approach to enhance our knowledge of Plant-Pollination systems. I have also developed and mentored strategies for achieving research excellence, thus helping to create cultures of excellence. In addition, I have established the longest-running population study for any native Australian frog, which provides the basis for evaluating the role of frogs as environmental bio-indicators, especially in relation to climate change.
I plan to continue these programs of research, teaching and mentoring, while promoting sustainability for humanity and acting as a consultant. Along with Prof Paul Ehrlich (Stanford Univ), I am promoting sustainability through the Sustainability Central website, public lectures, and other programs.
I am exceptionally well-placed to provide environmental consulting as I have a strong research background that has included a wide array of organisms, across many areas of interest, and has resulted in preparation of a large number of associated documents. I can similarly provide assistance with development and implementation of research programs. I have high-level skills in mathematics/ statistics, mathematical modelling, developing and testing theory, and literature reviews, and have taught and mentored many students and colleagues.
BACKGROUND:
Academic Qualifications:
B.Sc. (1st Class Honours) University of Sydney, May, 1970, Mathematical Statistics
Ph.D., University of Chicago, December, 1974, Mathematical Biology.
Positions (after obtaining Ph.D.):
Assistant Professor, University of Utah, 1974‑1977
Queen Elizabeth II Fellow, University of Sydney, 1977‑1980
Research Fellow to Principal Research Scientist, Australian Museum, 1981‑2007
Senior Fellow & Research Associate, Australian Museum, 2007- present
Distinguished Professor, University of Technology Sydney, 2012-2016
Adjunct Professor, University of Technology, 2016-2019
Adjunct Professor, Macquarie University, 2007-present
Visiting Scientist, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming Botanical Institute, 2019-2020
PUBLICATIONS:
I have published over 140 scientific papers across a broad range of issues including:
Developing & testing optimal foraging theory, with focus on nectar-feeding animals
Population biology and behaviour of nectar-feeding animals, especially birds & bees
Pollination biology of the plants visited by these animals
Effects of fire on plants & animals
Effects of the introduced honeybee on native plants & animals
Environmental legislation
Biology and management of frogs, especially the endangered Green & Golden Bell Frog
Frogs as bio-indicators of environmental quality & change
Impacts of the introduced fish Gambusia on other species
Use of biological collections to inform ecological/ environmental issues
Climate change and its effects on plants and animals.
These publications cover a broad range of organisms including plants, birds, bees, mammals, fish and frogs, and have been recognised as follows:
One recognised in 1984 as ‘Citation Classic’ by Institute for Scientific Information (ISI)
I was designated by the ISI in 2004 as a ‘highly cited author’ in the Environment/Ecology category along with 6 other Australians
My articles have (as of Apr 2020) almost 13,000 total citations with H-index of 45 (based on Google Scholar)
An article of mine, published in 2015, has been ‘highly cited’
EXPERTISE:
Environmental legislation
Environmental impact statements, especially impacts on flora & fauna
Fauna surveys, especially regarding frogs & birds
Habitat protection and enhancement
Literature reviews
Enhancing research quality & citation success
Research design
Statistical analysis
Ecology of plants, especially re pollination
Behaviour & ecology of animals
Biology of feral species, especially honeybees, the fish Gambusia, and introduced birds