University Associate
"B.Sc.(Hons First Class)(La Trobe University), Ph.D.(Tas)"
| Contact Campus | Off-Campus |
| Building | Off Campus |
| Sapphire@flyangler.com.au |
Dr Sapphire McMullan-Fisher is an honorary research associate for the school of Geography and Environmental Studies, University of Tasmania. She is currently working as an environmental consultant specialising in Cryptogam Biodiversity and Conservation. Based in Perth, she works on projects across Australia. She is currently involved in a bioinfomatics project with Fungimap and the Atlas of Living Australia.
She studied at La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia where she completed Honours in Botany. Her honours thesis title was ‘Investigation of Survey Methods and Succession of Macrofungi after Logging and Fire in Eucalyptus regnans Forest’. She then joined the school of Geography and Environmental Studies, University of Tasmania where she completed her doctorate ‘Surrogates for cryptogam conservation - associations between mosses, macrofungi, vascular plants and environmental variables.’
Research Interests
Distribution and biogeography of cryptogams, particularly macrofungi and mosses. Current research includes the ecological preferences of particular cryptogam species for specific microclimates, substrates (soil, wood, litter etc.) and possible associations with plant species. Also interested in elucidating the distribution patterns of cryptogams within an Australian regional ecosystem (vegetation type) framework. Further interests include the effects of fire on Australian fungi and how fungi contribute to healthy functional ecosystems.
She is actively involved collecting and documenting cryptogams for Australian Herbaria. She has all appropriate permits and am currently depositing specimens in Queensland Herbarium, the National Herbarium Of Victoria, the Australian Tropical Herbarium and Western Australian Herbarium. She is also working collaboratively on the fungal taxonomy and tools for identification of the macrofungal Genera: Cystoderma, Cystolepiota, Amanita, and Campanella.
Community Engagement
She is a member of a number of cryptogamic, naturalist, conservation and ecological societies where she plays an active role advocating for cryptogam conservation including activities. In recent years she has been involved with Queensland Mycological Society (www.qms.asn.au) and Fungimap (www.rbg.vic.gov.au/fungimap_/welcome). She regularly gives presentations about cryptogams and also leads field excursions. The goals are that by educating people about the ecological importance of cryptogams that these fabulous organisims and conservation issues will be given the attention they deserve.
Regular contributions to the Fungimap Newsletter and the Queensland Mycologist.