Conservation 'Omics Lab
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symbiosis, population connectivity and thermal tolerance in coral reef organisms
My name is Kate M. Quigley, I am a Principal Research Scientist at Minderoo Foundation, one of Australasia’s largest philanthropies and Research Director of the Minderoo Exmouth Research Laboratory (MERL). I am also a DECRA Fellow at James Cook University and hold an adjunct research positions at the University of Western Australia.
I am interested in theoretical and applied molecular ecology.
As a molecular ecologist, my current research focusses on understanding adaptation and the genomic basis of stress tolerance and resilience of coral reef organisms across the Indo-Pacific and Indian Oceans. I use ‘omics tools (population genomic, transcriptomic, metagenomic) and reproductive biology with field, experimental, and modelling methods to understand what makes some species resistant to stress while others are more vulnerable.
More broadly, I am interested in questions relating to symbiosis and adaptation across seascapes. This includes understanding the genetic and environmental drivers of symbiosis and the introgression of adaptive traits (like thermal tolerance) across metapopulations - from both a theoretical and empirical standpoint.
I am also interested in developing models (genetic/statistical) to understand the marine environment and support ocean conservation and management.
Come join my new Conservation 'Omics Lab at Minderoo Foundation & James Cook University & the University of Western Australia
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Recent Highlights
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Selective breeding and Assisted Gene Flow at Nyinggulu (Ningaloo) World Heritage Reef at the Minderoo Exmouth Research Lab
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This year we were very grateful to collect gravid coral colonies from around the beautiful Wop-pa and Ko-no-mie Islands (Southern GBR, Keppels). After some anxious nights of waiting, we were able to collect spawn from +18 colonies across 3 different coral populations, ultimately allowing us to produce +123 of different genetic crosses for our "stress" tests.
I am very honoured to be named a National Geographic Explorer (2019-2020). Over the next year, I will be working with Traditional Owner communities along the Great Barrier Reef to build support and social license for Assisted Gene Flow through dialogue, engagement, and knowledge sharing, with the ultimate aim to develop a social investment plan for AGF on the GBR.
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NESP Tropical Water Quality Hub
Project 4.4
The traits of corals that survived recent bleaching events
Photo by Neal Cantin
GBRLegacy Expeditions:
In 2017 we were a part of the first GBRLegacy trip: "Search for the Super Corals"
This year we are gearing up for round 2 leaving Nov 2018 the "Search for Solutions"