BSc Hons (Macq U) PhD (Tas) Grad. Cert. (Univ. L&T) (Tas)

Lecturer

At Macquarie University I studied moulting hormone gene expression in aphids, and pheromone production in the Australian lungfish. My PhD at UTas was on steriod control of reproductive physiology and behaviour in blue tongue lizards. I then completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Upsala, Sweden.

Research Interests

I am a comparative endocrinologist and an active member of the Comparative Endocrinology and Ecophysiology research group in the School of Zoology, University of Tasmania. My main interest is in the production, regulation and control of reproductive physiology and behaviours, focusing on the reproductive steroids (testosterone, estradiol and progesterone) and the hypothalmic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis in vertebrates, especially reptiles. I am currently investigating the role of the HPG axis in the onset and regulation of sexual maturity in juvenile blue-tongued lizards. I also hold a small University of Tasmania Research Grant (IRG) to examine the role of thyroid hormones in breeding decisions by viviparous reptiles.

I collaborate with Associate Professor Sue Jones and Dr Erik Wapstra in the School of Zoology and with Dr Noel Davies in the Central Science Laboratory.

Research Areas:

• Comparative Endocrinology and Ecophysiology  Read More

Teaching

I co-ordinate and teach in both the core second year Zoology units (KZA 211 and KZA 212). I lecture at this level on excretion, osmoregulation, water balance and digestion and contribute to first year Zoology (KZA 161 - vertebrate lectures), and third year Conservation Endocrinology (KZA 350) (eutherian and reptilian reproductive endocrinology lectures). I also co-ordinate and teach the practical classes in this 3rd yr unit.

I was awarded a University of Tasmania Teaching Excellence Award in 2006 and I have recently completed a Graduate Certificate in University Learning and Teaching.

Units

• KZA161 - Biology of Animals
  
• KZA211 - Animal Evolution and Ecology
  
• KZA212 - Functional Biology of Animals
  
• KZA304 - Zoology Research Project
  
• KZA350 - Reproduction and Endocrinology for Conservation
  
• KZA407 - Zoology (Honours) Full time
  

Selected Publications:

• Edwards A, Jones S.M. and Davies N.W., 2005, 'Patterns of peripheral steroid metabolism vary with sex, season and tissue type in blotched blue-tongued lizards (Tiliqua nigrolutea).', Gen. Comp. Endocrinol., 140, pgs. 14-24
• Edwards A, and Jones S.M., 2004, 'Parturition in the blotched blue-tongued lizard, Tiliqua nigrolutea, in captivity.', Herpetofauna, 34, pgs. 113-118
• Edwards A, Jones S.M. and Davies N.W., 2004, 'Patterns of peripheral steroid metabolism vary with sex, season and tissue type in blotched blue-tongued lizards (Tiliqua nigrolutea).', Gen.Comp.Endocrinol., 140, pgs. 14-24
• Edwards A., Jones S.M. and Davies N.W., 2003, 'Sex and season influence gonadal steroid biosynthetic pathways, end-product production and steroid conjugation in blotched blue-tongued lizards (Tiliqua nigrolutea)', Gen. Comp. Endochrinol., 134, pgs. 131-138
• Wapstra E., Olsson M., Shine R., Edwards A., Swain R., and Joss J., 2004, 'Maternal basking behaviour determines offspring sex in a viviparous reptile.', Proc. R. Soc. Lond., B 271 (S4), pgs. 230 - 232
• Edwards A. and Jones S.M., 2003, 'Mating behaviour in the blotched blue-tongued lizard Tiliqua nigrolutea, in captivity', Herpetofauna, 33, pgs. 60-64

Full Publication List