Quantitative Morphology Group - University of Adelaide Australia

PhD Students

Visiting Researchers
Tory Botha
"Morphology and ecology of Ediacaran fossils from Nilpena Station (Ediacara Conservation Park, Flinders Ranges, South Australia)"
Supervised with Diego Garcia-Bellido (SA Museum) and Mary Droser (UC Riverside)
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The primary aim of my PhD project is to gain a better understanding of the morphology, growth, preservation, and ecology of three enigmatic, radial Ediacaran taxa; Eoandromeda octobrachiata, Tribrachidium heraldicum and Rugoconites. I am using 3D scanning, geometric morphometrics, spatial analysis and mathematical approaches to best study their forms. 
Nuttakorn (Win) Taewcharoen 
​"TBD"
My prospect research theme will be about lagomorph' limbs, mainly, and their locomotive trajectories using newly proposed method for analysis of complex articulated structures
Qamariya Nasrullah
I am an evolutionary developmental (evo-devo) biologist. I recently completed a PhD looking at the evolution and development of teeth in mammals at Monash University. This included scanning wallaby teeth at the Australian synchrotron, and growing fluorescent mice teeth in petri dishes in Finland. I also have a background in palaeontology and phylogenetics, studying extinct short-faced kangaroos at Flinders University. Currently I am working on the geometric morphometrics of rabbit skull asymmetry. I am seeking new opportunities for post-doc research in Australia and overseas.​
Philip Stott
Australia's expert on invasive European hares, Philip studies their ecology, locomotion and behaviour

Bachelor of Science Honours Students

Ammresh
"The Jaw dropping world of tiger snakes: A tale of two populations and how they are affected by phenotypic plasticity"

I am interested in researching reptile evolution and for my honours project I am studying how different diets may affect the jaw morphology of tiger snakes from Carnac island and Herdsman lake. I will also be looking at their phenotypic plasticities and the canalisation of these traits. My methods will include landmarking microCT scanned specimens of tiger snake skulls and analysing them for shape variation
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​Amy Green
"A tale of tails: using morphometric methods to assess tail evolution between species in a group of Australian geckos (Oedura)"
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My honours project is looking at the shape differences in the tails of Australian geckos through the use of morphometric methods. I am currently looking at the Oedura genus and investigating how ecological factors may have influenced variation in the tail shape amongst the group. I will be assessing the tail shape in a 3D context, with the use of 3D surface scanning and micro-CT in order to best capture the form of the tail in each species.
Ellen Martin
"The Fast and the Furriest: What variation in lagomorph postcranial morphology can tell us about adaptations for running"
​Tamika Nash-Hahn
​"Slithering up the right tree: Exploring the inconspicuous world of arboreal colubrid vertebrae"

My honours project is focussed in exploring the vertebral column of arboreal snakes. My aim is to identify if arboreal snakes have a specific and distinct vertebral column. I will also be exploring regionalisation in the vertebral column and the position of the heart relative to these regions. I will use morphometrics to establish how the vertebral column of arboreal snakes compares to that of terrestrial snakes.
Student opportunities in the Quantitative Morphology Group ​at University of Adelaide: 
Australian BSc. Honours program | PhD Scholarships | Summer Scholarships | BSc. Science (Advanced) Principles & Practices of Research III
Contact me if you are interested! emma [dot] sherratt [at] adelaide [dot] edu [dot] au

CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES CLICK FOR DETAILS!
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​I mentor and supervise by a mix of coaching and participative approaches: everyone has a voice, and I'll give you all the support and guidance to find yours.