Rachel Norris

Associate Professor Rachel Norris

Associate Professor

School of Animal and Veterinary Science

Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology

Research Interests

  • Interspecific and intraspecific variation in morphology of mammals
  • Osteology and Craniometry of Mammals
  • Geometric Morphometrics
  • Skeletal anatomy of vertebrates
  • Evolution of hominids

Current research includes musculoskeletal fitness in small athletic mammals; microevolution in canid craniometry; dingo skeletal morphometrics; craniometric variation in marsupials; climbing adaptations in marsupials and primates and craniometric diversity in papionine primates for interpretation in hominind phylogeny.

 

  • Appointments
    Date Position Institution name
    2023 - ongoing Deputy Head of School, Animal and Veterinary Sciences The University of Adelaide
    2023 - ongoing Associate Professor in Veterinary Anatomy The University of Adelaide
    2015 - 2022 Head, Department of Animal and Veterinary Bioscience University of Adelaide
    2007 - 2022 Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Anatomy The University of Adelaide
    1996 - 2007 Wood Jones Lecturer in Comparative Anatomy The University of Adelaide
    1992 - 1996 Associate Lecturer in Comparative Anatomy The University of Adelaide

  • Education
    Date Institution name Country Title
    The University of Adelaide Australia PhD
    The University of Adelaide Australia BSc (Hons: Zoology)
    The University of Adelaide Australia BSc (Zoology major)

  • Research Interests
    Anatomy & Morphology Evolutionary Biology

2016                Faculty of Science e-Learning Grant $5,000 (completed - produced 22 interactive canine musculoskeletal anatomy resources)

2015                School of Animal and Veterinary Science Seed Grant $4,000

ARC Discovery Grant $225,000

'Implications of morphological and molecular measures of diversity in papionine primates for interpretation of hominid phylogeny'

Investigators: Henneberg, M, Norris, RM, Eckhardt, R.

Main teaching is within the Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Bioscience) program

  • VET SC 2510A/BRW Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology II
  • VET SC 3520A/BRW Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology III

Guest appearances in

  • ANIML SC 2506RW Comparative Animal Anatomy and Physiology
  • ANIML SC 2500RW Companion Animal and Equine Studies

  • Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2022 Co-Supervisor Evolutionary Constraints and Trade-Offs in the Locomotor Morphology of Birds and Mammals Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Ellen May Martin
    2021 Co-Supervisor To advance knowledge on the phylogenetic status of the Australian hare and investigate changing morphologies involved in locomotion and dispersal ability of this species. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Nuttakorn Taewcharoen

  • Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2007 - 2011 Co-Supervisor The Australian Cretaceous Ichthyosaur Platypterygius australis: Understanding its Taxonomy, Morphology, and Palaeobiology Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Maria Zammit

  • Committee Memberships
    Date Role Committee Institution Country
    2018 - ongoing Representative Curriculum, Program Management and Review Committee Faculty of Sciences The University of Adelaide Australia
    2013 - ongoing Member Admissions Committee School of Animal and Veterinary Science, The University of Adelaide Australia
    2013 - ongoing Chair Veterinary Bioscience Program Management Committee University of Adelaide Australia
    2013 - ongoing Member Learning and Teaching Management Committee School of Animal and Veterinary Science, University of Adelaide Australia

  • Memberships
    Date Role Membership Country
    2019 - ongoing Member Australian Institute of Anatomical Sciences Australia
    2015 - ongoing Member Institute of Anatomical Sciences United Kingdom
    1998 - ongoing Member International Society of Vertebrate Morphologists -
    1989 - ongoing Member The Willi Hennig Society United States
    1987 - ongoing Member Royal Society of South Australia Australia
  • Position: Associate Professor
  • Phone: 83137901
  • Email: rachel.norris@adelaide.edu.au
  • Fax: 83137956
  • Campus: Roseworthy
  • Building: Eastick, floor 1
  • Org Unit: School of Animal and Veterinary Science
Connect With Me
External Profiles