Simon is a Professor of Molecular Evolution with research interests in molecular clocks, evolutionary rates, phylogenomics, genomic evolution, and molecular ecology. Since co-founding the Molecular Ecology, Evolution, and Phylogenetics Lab in the School of Life and Environmental Sciences in 2011, he has supervised more than 40 Honours and PhD research students.

Simon did postdoctoral research with Lindell Bromham at the Australian National University and with Beth Shapiro and Peter Holland at the University of Oxford. He completed a DPhil degree in 2006 at the University of Oxford under the supervision of Andrew Rambaut, Alan Cooper, Alexei Drummond, and Richard Fortey. His MSc Research (2003) and BSc Honours (2002) were completed at the University of Sydney.

Further information can be found on Simon’s University Profile Page.


Publications

Simon has published more than 240 scientific articles and edited the book The Molecular Evolutionary Clock.


Awards and honours

  • Fellow, Royal Society of New South Wales (2021)
  • Ross Crozier Medal, Genetics Society of Australasia (2018)
  • Fenner Medal, Australian Academy of Science (2017)
  • Future Fellowship, Australian Research Council (2017–2021)
  • Edgeworth David Medal, Royal Society of New South Wales (2015)
  • NSW Young Tall Poppy of the Year, Australian Institute of Policy & Science (2014)
  • Eureka Prize for Outstanding Early Career Researcher, Australian Museum (2014)
  • Alan Wilton Award, Genetics Society of Australasia (2011)
  • Queen Elizabeth II Fellowship, Australian Research Council (2011–2015)
  • Australian Postdoctoral Fellowship, Australian Research Council (2008–2010)
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