I left the academic life in 2019 but will always miss laboratory-based research. This page includes more of a history of my previous works but the listed areas are all still passions of mine. I’ve been fortunate that I still contribute, free time permitting, to research projects with previous collaborators. Moreover, I still have a few old projects that STILL need to be published. I hope to finish them in 2024 but I have been staying that every year since 2020 so maybe not…

I am fascinated by complex systems with particular interest in how their evolutions leads to them being more than the sum of their parts. Throughout my career, I have not been beholden to any particular model system or technique to answer the questions or problems that drove my curiosity. I have employed the principles and tools of genetics, molecular biology, genomics and synthetic biology to understand the evolution and behaviour of complex systems. I also have a keen interest in the ‘hacking’ of biological systems for specific real world outcomes - be it enzyme production, population transformation or pest eradication. As a follow-on from more applied work, I have also developed a passion for studying scientific policy and the regulation of biotechnology (such as GMOs).

1. Scientific Policy & GMO Regulation

Novel biological systems have enormous potential to address many challenges facing the world, but to maintain public confidence these advances need to be developed and deployed in a carefully regulated manner. However, often regulatory law lags behind technological development and as such we need to excise care and be mindful of our potential impact. As part of this, I have an interest in the ongoing developments in the regulation of biotechnology. Previously I contributed to an examination of genetically modified mosquito releases. However, more recently, working with Dr Chris Reynolds, we proposed an outcome based regulatory framework for Australia - one that examines the final product not the technology used to build it. I continue to contribute to the discussion of regulation through engagement, academic writing and my current position.

2. Synthetic Biology to Determine Biological Dynamics

Reproductive Communication & Barriers
Mate selection and reproductive isolation are key drivers in evolution. Although there are numerous naturally occurring examples, synthetic biology and experimental evolution provide considerable insights into how these processes shape life history.
Appropriate responses to the queues of other individuals is critical for any organism, but when you are your own germ line, like most microbes, a simple mistake can spell the end of your lineage. I studied how baker’s yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, uses appropriate pheromone signally to ensure mating with another compatible individual. In this work, through experimental evolution of the pheromone receptor STE2, we explored mating barriers between species and determined critical regions in the receptor that facilitate these barriers. I also helped to develop a synthetic system that improved recombination between dissimilar chromosomes. This work demonstrated that anti-recombination was a strong contributor to hybrid sterility. Moving forward, I would like to continue my initial work exploring these barriers in Drosophila melanogaster.

Community Population Dynamics
Mutualism facilitates the exploitation of otherwise difficult environmental niches and is at the heart of numerous ecosystems. However, how these complex relationships evolve, are maintained and what happens when they breakdown is still poorly understood. In an on going collaboration with Chaitanya Gokhale, we explore these complex dynamics through the use of yeast systems and theoretical models.

We published a review that examines the interface between theoretical and synthetic biologies and how it relates to conservation, while asking the question — ‘Should we intervene in nature to stabilise failing mutualisms?’. This challenging question has no easy answer. However, as tools from synthetic biology become available to conservationists, these issues needs to be discussed. We have also conducted work aimed at understanding how environmental factors, specifically nutrients, induced the collapse of a synthetic mutualism systems. Finally, we developed a 4-strain synthetic systems and corresponding theoretical framework for the modelling of mutualism. Using this, we wrote a paper that demonstrated how ecology can shape mutualism and explored the role ecological cycles have in this context.

3. Genomics & Genetics to Explore Natural Systems

One-off Projects
I’ve been lucky to collaborate with some brilliant researchers on projects that support my ongoing academic interests but do not fit neatly into ongoing research. This has included a lead-author paper examining Minute (ribosomal protein) mutants in Drosophila melanogaster and co-author paper describing the development of tools for Culex quinquefasciatus. I am always excited to collaborate and hope these opportunities will continue to present themselves.

Behaviour of Eusocial Insects
Eusociality is one of the most fascinating evolutionary stories in biology. Despite this, many of the underpinning drivers behind the process remained unresolved. I have been fortunate to have an ongoing collaboration with Mariana Velasque exploring eusociality. Using Drosophila melanogaster as a solitary ancestor, we explored the role pheromones have in the inception of eusociality. We found that while each pheromone treatment impacted ovary development, the resulting transcriptome was highly variable. In contradiction to the prevailing belief, we find evidence that rather than co-option of similar pathways, eusociality is an example of convergent evolution.
In addition, we have also conducted scientific outreach work using Apis mellifera (honey bees) and are currently finalising work exploring how ADHD-like behaviour is observed in bees. We hope to finalise this manuscript in the coming months.

4. Synthetic Biology for Disease Prevention & Pest Eradication

Altering Inheritance and Insect Population Suppression for Public Health / Crop Protection
Underdominance, wherein hybrids are weaker than either parent, is a powerful system that can facilitate the transformation of a whole population (a process also known as gene drive). I have previously worked on describing the development of a poison/rescue single locus gene drive in Drosophila melanogaster. More recently, I lead the development of this system for use in yeast. Although this may seem like a conceptual step backwards, the power of yeast is the rapid prototyping on the population dynamics and how choice of the gene targets (for the poison/rescue) influence these dynamics.
The World Mosquito Program (WMP) deploys Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti to combat the global impact of vector-borne disease. In my current position, as Senior Regulatory Officer for WMP, I have explored the scale up and deployment of our technology. Predominantly this has required my engagement with regulatory bodies worldwide. However, it has instilled in me the desire to see other or similar technologies deployed to combat numerous global issues. If provided the opportunity, I would like to explore the effectiveness of Wolbachia in agricultural pest management.