My area of research is marine invertebrate population and community ecology, my specific area of interest is in molluscs, with explicit expertise in squid biology and ecology. I have supervised and managed research projects involving a range of species across covering both applied issues affecting the aquaculture industry, and wild harvest industry. I also have a strong research profile exploring the processes behind the patterns of growth in cephalopods.

Squid Biology and Ecology

My key research focus in squid biology that demonstrated that mechanistically squid have the capability to continue growth throughout their life and energy for reproduction is unlikely to be sourced from fat or sugar stores (see review paper). I am particularly interested in population and individual-based approaches to research questions that identify and quantify energy allocation and energetic trade-offs responsible for life history traits (growth and reproduction) in squid. The outcomes of my research have had implications in both pure research associated with understanding growth dynamics.

Funded research has explored rates of protein synthesis as a function of energy allocated to somatic and resproductive growth, as a way of understanding the continuous growth pattern of squid. This work has looked the relationship between energy intake and the use of this energy for metabolism and growth. Current work is looking at the influence of parental condition, food and temperature and how they interact to affect life history traits (PhD student - Matt Kuipers).

I have also had funded research that assessed the life history characteristics of spawning aggregations of southern calamary in Tasmania. This work involved quantifying reproductive output as a function of the biological characteristics of the adults, as well as deetermining factors affecting the mortality and growth rates of the embryos on the spawning beds. Past work has described and assessed the capacity of newly hatched juveniles to capture and digest prey items, through a combined behavioral and ultrastructural approach.

Shellfish Aquaculture

My interest in the allocation of energy to growth and reproduction in invertebrates has resulted in the development of productive collaborations with shellfish aquaculture industries in Tasmania, in particular the oyster and mussel industry. I am currently engaged in research with the oyster industry (ASI - Australian Seafood Industries) to quantify and understand the growth dynamics of thorough-bred oysters (produced through selective breeding). More recent interactions are with the mussel industry resulting in a project looking at the reproductive biology of blue mussels to allow controlled year-round production of juveniles. This work will significantly increase the value of mussel aquaculture in Australia. I am also supervising projects that are exploring new feeds for bivalve larvae and the development of hatchery techniques for new species.