Jamie Wood

Dr Jamie Wood

Senior lecturer

School of Biological Sciences

Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.


I am a terrestrial ecologist, specialising in the fields of molecular ecology and palaeoecology. I apply evolutionary and environmental genomics approaches in combination with complimentary analyses (e.g. palynology, macrofossils, radiocarbon dating, stable isotope analyses) to study the composition and functioning of terrestrial ecosystems over the past 50,000 years. 

My specific research interests are: 
•    Climate and environmental change
•    Ecological impacts associated with initial human settlement
•    Systematics, phylogenetic relationships and ecology of threatened and extinct animal species
•    Ecological consequences of lost or broken interactions between species
•    Application of ancient eDNA to vegetation restoration and conservation management
•    Development of eDNA-based tools for biodiversity surveys and monitoring

One of my key research contributions has been pioneering the use of coprolites (ancient dung) to study the ecology of extinct and threatened animal species. This work has drawn heavily upon eDNA approaches for identifying depositing species, and for reconstructing the diets and parasite faunas of these species. Current research projects include the metagenomic and dietary metabarcoding analyses of prehistoric Pacific rat coprolites from New Zealand, and metagenomic analysis of ancient Adélie penguin guano deposits from the Victoria Land coast, Antarctica.

HONOURS:
I am available to supervise Bachelor of Science (Honours) research projects in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, in areas including ancient DNA and environmental DNA. Please email me to discuss. Some potential current project ideas include:

  • Effect of conservation management on parasite faunas of the greater bilby
  • Using eDNA to reconstruct microbial communities and function in restored wetlands
  • Using soil eDNA from beneath shelter plants to monitor small animal diversity
  • Testing the suitability of long-term soil archives for monitoring biodiversity change using eDNA
  • Reconstructing past genetic diversity of Adelie penguins in the Ross Sea using ancient guano eDNA
  • 2020-23, New Zealand’s truffle-like fungi: ghosts of mutualisms past? Royal Society of New Zealand Marsden Fund (PI).
  • 2021-23, Past ecology of culturally significant rock art sites at Opihi, Canterbury. New Zealand Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment Vision Mātauranga Capability Fund (AI).
  • 2017-20, Using ancient dung to reconstruct the transformation of prehistoric island ecosystems by invasive rats. Royal Society of New Zealand Marsden Fund (AI).
  • 2016-18, WAAM: Wetland DNA Assessment and Monitoring tool. New Zealand Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment Smart Ideas Fund (PI).
  • 2014-16, Next-Generation DNA Biodiversity Assessment: Phase 2. New Zealand Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment Smart Ideas Fund:​​ (PI).
  • 2013-14, Next-Generation DNA Biodiversity Assessment: Phase 1. New Zealand Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment Smart Ideas Fund (AI).
  • 2013, National Geographic Committee for Research and Exploration grant (PI).
  • 2013, Quaternary Vegetation of New Zealand database. New Zealand Department of Conservation Terrestrial and Freshwater Biodiversity Information System Fund (PI).
  • 2012-15, Investigating the prehistoric Moriori settlement on Rēkohu (Chatham Islands). Royal Society of New Zealand Marsden Fund (AI).
  • 2009-12, New Zealand's megaherbivores: resolving their ecological role and the impact of their extinction on the flora. Royal Society of New Zealand Marsden Fund (PI).
  • Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2024 Principal Supervisor Using sediment and ancient DNA to bolster extinction prevention methodologies of threatened Australian mammals Master of Philosophy Master Full Time Mr Thomas Robert Harvey
    2023 Principal Supervisor Using sedimentary DNA from caves to reconstruct past plant and animal communities in Australia Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Siobhan Esther Evans
  • Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2014 - 2016 External Supervisor Ancient DNA of New Zealand's extinct avifauna: Using next-generation sequencing (NGS) to research the paleoecology of the megaherbivore moa (Aves: Dinornithiformes) and the phylogenetics of the enigmatic gruiform Aptornis (Aves: Aptornithidae) Master of Philosophy Master Full Time Mr Alexander Peter Boast
  • Position: Senior lecturer
  • Phone: 83133952
  • Email: jamie.wood@adelaide.edu.au
  • Campus: North Terrace
  • Building: Darling, floor Second Floor
  • Room: 212B
  • Org Unit: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

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