I am proud to be the Head of a dynamic school known for its friendly and stimulating teaching approach and for its excellence in research.
Research Interests
My primary research focus is the evolution of viviparity in vertebrates, using viviparous (live-bearing) lizards as model species. My second major interest is how environmental stressors affect the endocrine (hormone) system: studying a species' reproductive mechanisms and stress-coping capability often has direct relevance to conservation. Recent student projects include stress physiology of Tasmanian devils, adrenal function in lizards, and reproduction and hibernation in echidnas. I collaborate with Dr Ashley Edwards and Dr Erik Wapstra in research on viviparous lizards.
Research Areas:- Comparative Endocrinology and Ecophysiology
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Teaching
My teaching expertise has been recognised with an ALTC Australian Award for Teaching Excellence Australian Award (2008). I foster a learning environment that encourages our students to become articulate, competent scientists. I am the First Year Coordinator for Zoology, and work on easing our students' transition into university studies. I also teach at second and third year level, with my research interests reflected in my third year teaching. I am a triple Teaching Excellence Award winner, a fellow of HERDSA (Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australia), and received a Carrick Citation in 2007.
UnitsSelected Publications:- Cartledge, VA, Jones, SM, 2007, 'Does adrenal responsiveness vary with sex and reproductive status in Egernia whitii, a viviparous skink?', General and Comparative Endocrinology, 150, pgs. 132-139
- Atkins, N, Swain, R, Wapstra, E, Jones, SM, 2007, 'Late stage deferral of parturition in the viviparous lizard Niveoscincus ocellatus (Gray 1845): implications for offspring quality and survival ', Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 90, pgs. 735-746
- Girling, JE, Jones, SM, 2006, 'In vitro steroid production by adrenals and kidney-gonads from embryonic southern snow skinks (Niveoscincus microlepidotus): Implications for the control of the timing of parturition?', General and Comparative Endocrinology, 145 (2), pgs. 169-176
- Jones, SM, Swain, R, 2006, 'Placental transfer of 3H-oleic acid in three species of viviparious lizards: a route for supplementation of embryonic fat bodies? ', Herpetological Monographs, 20 (1), pgs. 186-193
- Edwards A., Jones, SM 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.', Journal of General and Comparative Endocrinology, 134, pgs. 131-138
Full Publication List Current and Supervised Project/s:
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