Bruno Simoes

Bruno Simoes

School of Biological Sciences

Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology

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

Vertebrate vision has long fascinated evolutionary biologists and is a celebrated example of the power of integrative biology. As an evolutionary biologist I have quickly become fascinated by the evolution of vision. My research focus is the application of molecular methods to the evolution of vision in a very ecological diverse and evolutionary plastic group of vertebrates - squamate reptiles. In 2016 I was awarded a European Union Marie Skłodowska-Curie Global Fellowship at the University of Bristol (UK) and the University of Adelaide. Under this fellowship, I complement transcriptomics and comparative genomics with physiology and anatomical approaches to assess visual phenotypic diversity and the molecular mechanisms that underpin this sensory in snakes and lizards.

Over the past years I have studied the evolution of vision in several vertebrate lineages, but mostly focusing on reptiles. Under my European Union Marie Skłodowska-Curie Global Fellowship  I integrate genomic, physiological and anatomical data to understand the genomic underpinning of phenotypic variation in the vertebrate visual system, the relative roles of adaptation and constraints in the origin of novel visual phenotypes, and to understand whether complex visual systems can be re-elaborated following evolutionary degeneration. 

  • Appointments
    Date Position Institution name
    2020 - ongoing Lecturer in Animal Biology University of Plymouth
    2017 - ongoing Adjunct Lecturer University of Adelaide, Adelaide
    2016 - 2019 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Global Fellow University of Adelaide, Adelaide
    2016 - 2019 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Global Fellow University of Bristol
    2016 - 2016 Principal Molecular Biologist Applied Genomics, Ltd
    2012 - 2015 Postdoctoral Researcher The Natural History Museum, London

  • Language Competencies
    Language Competency
    English Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review
    French Can read and understand spoken
    Portuguese Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review
    Spanish; Castilian Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review

  • Education
    Date Institution name Country Title
    2008 - 2012 National University of Ireland - University College Dublin Ireland PhD
    2005 - 2007 University of Porto Portugal MSc, Biodiversity and Genetic Resources
    2000 - 2004 University of the Azores Portugal Licentiate degree, Biology

  • Research Interests
    Biological Adaptation Genomics Phylogeny and Comparative Analysis Vision Science Zoology

Australian Research Council – Discovery Project: Evolutionary dynamics of reptile vision: How are complex traits lost and re-innovated during ecological transitions? DP180101688 (Co-Lead with Kate Sanders; other PI/CIs: James Green, David Hunt, Mark Hutchinson, Belinda Chang, Emma Teeling)

European Union – H2020, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Global Fellowship: Elaboration and degeneration of complex traits: The visual systems of lizards and snakes (Evol-Eyes) — Applicant

Environment Institute – University of Adelaide, Small Research Grants Scheme: Molecular evolution of vision in sea snakes — Co-Applicant with Dr. Kate Sanders

Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), International Doctoral Fellowship: Molecular Mechanisms and Evolution of Mammalian Sensory Perception: Visual Pathways in Bats (SFRH/BD/36369/2007) — Applicant 

 

Affiliate Lecturer – School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide

Guest lecturers in

  • Foundations in Marine Biology III
  • Research Methods in Evolutionary Biology

  • Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2020 - 2024 Co-Supervisor The Evolution of the Sea Snake Visual System Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Isaac Henry Rossetto
    2018 - 2022 Co-Supervisor Visual Evolution of Scincoidea Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Matthew John Robert Ford
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