• The University of Western Australia (M468), 35 Stirling Highway,

    6009 Perth

    Australia

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Personal profile

Biography

I work on many different aspects of astronomy research. On the observational side my main focus is large galaxy surveys such as GAMA (Scientific Coordinator), DEVILS (Exec) and WAVES (Project Scientist. Each of these surveys is the leading example in the world, and I have contributed in their technical aspects (via software), scientific output (via papers) and overall leadership. I also have a keen interest in computer simulations to better understand and interpret the galaxy evolution observations I have been involved with. In this aspect of my work I mostly supervise students and post-doctoral researchers, and have been involved in a number of ARC grants that have funded work and won substantial amounts of super-computer time. In general I try to be wavelength agnostic (all parts of the electro-magnetic spectrum provide useful physical insight) and domain agnostic- if a project has something to do with observed/simulated galaxies that are not the Milky-Way, I am probably interested!

In the longer term I am heavily involved with developing the scientific and political case for the proposed Maunakea Spectroscopic Explorer (MSE) telescope that hundreds of scientists around the world would like to see funded as the replacement facility for Canada France Hawaii Telescope (CFHT). I am the Australian representative on the scientific steering committee, and lead the extra galactic scientific working group that is developing the main "first light" dark time survey of the Universe as Cosmic Noon.

More prosaically, I am a full-time researcher (currently funded as an ARC Future Fellow) at the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR). I did my Masters undergraduate studies in Physics & Astrophysics at the University of Bristol (UK) between 2001-2005, followed by a PhD in Astrophysics between 2005-2008. After my PhD I took up a post-doctoral research position at the University of St Andrews (UK) between 2008-2010, followed by a SUPA fellowship from 2010-2012.

I first came to ICRAR as a long-term visitor in 2010-2012. From 2013 I have been directly employed by UWA through a UWA Research Fellowship. From 2015-2020 I was an ongoing Senior Research Fellow at ICRAR. From May 2020 I have been a Principal Research Fellow at ICRAR. I won an ARC Future Fellowship grant for funding year 2020 (commenced funding March 2021).

Previous positions

ICRAR, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
Senior Principal Research Assistant Professor, Level E, (May 2024 - Ongoing)

ICRAR, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
ARC Future Fellow, Level 2 (D), (March 2021 - Feb 2025)

ICRAR, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
Principal Research Assistant Professor, Level D, (May 2020 - May 2024)

ICRAR, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
Research Associate Professor, Level C, (Oct 2014 – April 2020)

ICRAR, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
UWA Research Fellowship, Level B, 3 year position (Jan 2013 to Sep 2014)

University of St Andrews, St Andrews UK
SUPA Advanced Fellow, Level B eqv, 4 year position (Aug 2010 to Dec 2012)

University of St Andrews, St Andrews UK
Post Doctoral Researcher, Level A eqv, 3.5 year position (Oct 2008 to Jul 2010)

University of Bristol, Bristol UK
PPARC/STFC funded PhD student, 3 year position (Oct 2005 to Sep 2008)

Current projects

GAMA - Scientific Coordinator
DEVILS - Exec
WAVES - Project Scientist
SAMI - Team member

Research

My main research is observational extra-galactic astronomy. I am involved in a number of major surveys (including GAMA, SAMI, H-ATLAS and WAVES). I also work on simulations, with a particular interest in the physics of galaxy mergers.

Languages

English

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  • SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being

Industry keywords

  • Space

Research expertise keywords

  • galaxy evolution
  • dark matter
  • cosmic structure
  • cosmology
  • statistics
  • image analysis

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