Research Group Leader
Bob’s research focuses on the mechanisms of sexual selection and parental care, and how human-induced environmental changes influence behaviour. Bob’s research encompasses a wide range of species but he has a particular soft spot for fish. Bob is an editor of Oikos, and the Secretary of the International Society for Behavioral Ecology. He is also Chair of the Organising Committee for the 2024 International Society for Behavioral Ecology Congress in Melbourne.
Twitter: @BBM_Wong
Email: bob.wong@monash.edu
Research Associate, 2022-current
Upama completed her PhD in 2021 at the Australian National University examining the effects of age and mating history on male reproductive success. In general, she is fascinated by sexual selection, parental effects on offspring traits, and animal adaptation to changing environments. For her postdoctoral project, Upama is investigating the long-term, intergenerational effects of endocrine disruptors in Australian freshwater fish.
Email: upama.aich@monash.edu
PhD student, 2024-current (co-supervised with Dr Scarlett Howard and A/Prof Matthew Symonds, Deakin University)
Jess completed their Masters at Macquarie University, investigating the effects of ant-mimicry on jumping spider behaviours. Her PhD will focus on how native Australian bee behaviours may be affected by predicted future temperature changes.
Email: Jess.herbert@monash.edu
PhD student, 2023-current (co-supervised with Dr Michael Bertram, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences)
Eleanor completed her Honours at Monash examining the effects of marine heatwaves on the foraging and reproductive ecology of little penguins. Eleanor’s PhD research is investigating the effects of psychoactive pharmaceutical pollutants on cognitive ability in guppies. The project focuses on executive function as a regulator of cognition and the mechanism by which pharmaceutical perturbation to this system may disrupt behaviour.
Email: eleanor.moore@monash.edu
PhD student, 2023-current (co-supervised with Dr Michael Bertram, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences)
Jack completed his Honours at Monash studying the impact of boat noise pollution on the mutualistic relationship between gobies and pistol shrimp. For his PhD, Jack is investigating the impacts of psychoactive pollution on cognition in fish.
Email: jack.manera@monash.edu
PhD student, 2022-current (co-supervised with Prof Anne Peters and Dr Upama Aich)
Gabriel completed his Master of Science (Zoology) in Sao Paulo, Brazil investigating the effects of heavy metal pollution on birds' physiology. For his PhD research, Gabe is studying the impact of pharmaceuticals on fish immunity and behaviours.
Email: gabriel.melhado@monash.edu
PhD student, 2022-current (co-supervised with Dr Jake Martin, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences)
Shiho completed her Honours in 2020 investigating the effects of the androgenic endocrine disrupter 17B-trenbolone on the behaviour of tadpoles. After working for a year as a lab manager, Shiho commenced her PhD in 2022 studying the effects of pharmaceutical pollution on wildlife.
Email: shiho.ozeki@monash.edu
PhD student, 2022-current (co-supervised with Prof David Chapple and Dr Alex Carthey, Macquarie University)
Claire completed her Honours at Monash University in 2019 investigating the roles of group composition and geographic isolation in the antipredator behaviours of the delicate skink. For her PhD, Claire will be studying the response of Australian lizards to feral cat cues.
Email: claire.walke1@monash.edu
PhD student, 2022-current (co-supervised with Dr Minna Saaristo, EPA Victoria)
Raiko completed her Master’s at the University of Melbourne investigating links between bushfires and emerging contaminants. Her PhD research will focus on the impacts of pharmaceutical contaminants on the behaviour and physiology of wildlife.
Email: Raidha.Rafeeq@monash.edu
PhD student, 2022-current (co-supervised with Dr Sarah Flanigan and Prof Elissa Cameron, University of Canterbury)
Emily is investigating the role of sexual selection in the evolution of sex-biased gene expression in pipefishes. Emily earned her Honours degree from Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, in 2015. In 2018, she completed her MSc at Middlesex University in London, England. Her current research interests include bioinformatics, evolutionary biology, evolutionary game theory, conservation biology, and behavioural ecology.
PhD student, 2021-current (co-supervised with Dr Matthew McGee)
Rhiannon completed her Masters in 2019 from the University of Melbourne investigating potential treatments for pre-eclampsia. For her PhD, Rhiannon aims to study the evolution of parental investment in live-bearing fish and explore the unique maternal-foetal relationship in the redtail splitfin.
Email: rhiannon.eastment@monash.edu
PhD student, 2021-current (co-supervised with Dr Jake Martin and Dr Michael Bertram, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences)
Kate completed her Honours at Monash University in 2020 examining the effects of habitat loss on Australian woodland birds. For her PhD, Kate will be investigating the ecological impacts of pharmaceutical contaminants on aquatic wildlife.
Email: kate.fergusson@monash.edu
PhD student, 2020–current (co-supervised with Dr Jake Martin and A/Prof Matt Hall)
Gabriela completed her Master of Science (Zoology) in Brazil investigating female sperm storage and male sexual traits in a Neotropical lizard. For her PhD, Gabriela intends to investigate the impacts of pharmaceutical pollutants on reproductive biology in fish. For more information, visit her website.
Email: gabriela.melo@monash.edu
PhD student, 2019–current (co-supervised with Prof Anne Peters)
Greg completed his Master of Science at San Jose State University in California investigating the effects of mercury contamination on the incubation behaviour of Forster’s terns. For his PhD, Greg is studying male reproductive behaviour and sperm physiology in a woodland songbird, the superb fairy-wren.
Masters student, 2020-current (co-supervised with Prof Sigal Balshine, McMaster university)
Jacqueline is using the fathead minnow as a model to investigate the effects of caffeine on learning, decision-making, and physiology in fish.
Honours student, 2024
Isabella’s Honours research will be investigating the effects of pharmaceutical pollution on fish.
Honours student, 2024
James’ Honours research will be investigating the effects of pharmaceutical pollution on fish.
Honours student, 2024 (co-supervised with Dr Scarlett Howard)
Jack’s Honours research will be investigating cognition in bees.
