Antonia Johnstone

Antonia is a PhD student at the University of Western Australia within the Deep-Sea Research Centre with an interest in morphology, ecology and specialised microscopy techniques. Her research will focus on the functional morphology and evolutionary adaptations of amphipods in different habitats, including caves, midwater and the deep sea. She will compare musculature, visual systems and cephalisation between the habitats, and aims to shed light on the adaptive priorities of amphipods in extreme environments.

Prior to discovering her interest in marine biology, Antonia completed her undergraduate degree in Anatomy & Histology and Physiology at the University of Sydney, achieving first-class honours in the theme of molecular biology at the Lens Lab under Professor Frank Lovicu. Her honours thesis focused on the role of p38 in TGF-β-induced EMT signalling leading to cataract. Following this, Antonia moved back to Perth and began pursuing her interests in environmental and marine biology. Between her undergraduate and graduate studies, Antonia worked as a biological science technician at Scotch College, where she arranged and led dissections, ecology workshops and class experiments. She has a passion for science communication and education alongside her research.