MEEP PhD student Tim Lee has won a 3-year, $33,000 grant from the Australian Biological Resources Study to study the systematics of the Australian pest termite genus Coptotermes, and to write up two papers from his Honours project on the systematics and evolution of the Australian endemic isopod Spherillo grossus.
The termite work will be carried out in collaboration with Dr Stephen Cameron from Queensland University of Technology, A/Prof Theo Evans from the National University of Singapore, Prof. David Yeates from CSIRO Ecosystem Services, and Dr David Britton from the Australian Museum.
There are currently six species of Coptotermes recognised in Australia, but data from cuticular hydrocarbon profiles as well as preliminary DNA data indicate there are likely to be many more. The Spherillo project was carried out in collaboration with Dr Buz Wilson at the Australian Museum.
The Australian Biological Resources Study grant includes a top-up stipend and funding for research.
Congratulations to Tim!