I am investigating the mechanism by which marsupials (devils, bettongs, and others) and the echidna regulate body temperature. I am attempting to do this by examining acute and long-term metabolic responses to a cold stressor. I am also investigating the expression of the controversial uncoupling proteins (1, 2 and 3) through molecular techniques.

Cross fostering Eastern Barred Bandicoot pouch young using Southern Brown Bandicoots as surrogate mothers to develop methods for captive breeding

I aim to describe the endocrinology of the reproductive cycle, develop faecal steroid monitoring as a non-invasive monitoring technique in devils and spotted tail quolls and investigate hormone-behaviour correlates in these two species of marsupial carnivores with differing social systems.

The aim of this project is to create a milk formula for orphaned young bandicoots. We are studying the milk synthesis during lactation and measuring the oxygen consumption of young from the age of seven weeks until the weaning period.