Scientists involved with Save The Gouldian Fund
There are a number of scientists who are working directly with the Gouldian finch, on related species and/or the threatened Northern Savannas, all of which will help us to further understand and save the Gouldian finch. Some of these biologist and their particular fields of study and research interests are described below.
Dr Sarah R. PrykeARC Postdoctoral Research FellowCentre for the Integrative Study of Animal Behaviour |
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Sarah completed her PHD on colour communication in African widowbirds at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, and moved to Australia in 2005 to specifically work on the Gouldian finch. Her research interest focuses on a wide range of diverse aspects, including evolution, behaviour, nutrition, ecology and conservation biology. Sarah moves between the Gouldian finch research facility situated in Martinsville (NSW) and the Kimberley field site near Wyndham (WA). |
James Brazill-BoastPhD StudentCentre for the Integrative Study of Animal Behaviour |
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James started his PhD in 2007. His work focuses on the behavioural and ecological interactions between the Gouldian finch and Long-tailed finch. James spends most his time at the field site in Wyndham and is specifically looking at the impact of nest site limitation on competition between these two finches, and the potential impact of this on the Gouldian finches current decline in the wild.
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Dr Simon C. GriffithAssociate ProfessorCentre for the Integrative Study of Animal Behaviour |
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Simon moved from the UK to Australia in 2004. Simon's research focuses on a range of behavioural, evolutionary and ecological aspects in birds, including the Gouldian finch. He has recently started a long-term project looking at the role of signalling and behaviour in promoting species isolation in the two species/subspecies of long-tailed finch and the black-throated finch in Northern Australia. |
Erica van RoojiPhD StudentCentre for the Integrative Study of Animal Behaviour
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Erica, from the Netherlands, started her PhD in 2008. Her work focuses on the breeding system of the long-tailed finches in the eastern Kimberley. Erica is specifically interested in breeding ecology and the role of species-specific traits (e.g. beak colour, badge size and tail length) and behaviour in promoting mate choice. |
Prof. William A. ButtemerHead of SchoolSchool of Biological Sciences |
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Bill has moved between the USA and Australia for the last 30 years, and is now settled in Australia as Head of School at Wollongong University. Bill uses comparative physiological methods to address evolutionary and ecological questions involving birds. His current research focuses on the biology of ageing, animal energetics, and the interactions of reproductive hormones and immune function. |
Prof. Lee V. AstheimerPro Vice-Chancellor (Research)School of Health Sciences |
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Lee held academic positions in the USA and Tasmania before moving to the University of Wollongong (in 1994), where she has been Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) since 2006. Lee’s research interests are focussed on comparative endocrinology and behaviour related to nutrition, reproduction and stress in vertebrates, especially birds. Recently, she has also been using physiological methods to evaluate health in avian populations (including Gouldian finches). |
