Matt J. Morgan

PhD student, Keogh Lab

Background Research Interests
My current research interests are varied, but are united by the use of molecular techniques to address hypotheses in frog biology, history and conservation. Specifically, the research for my doctorate involves three components:

• A critique of the philosophical and empirical justification for simultaneous analysis of molecular data in phylogenetic inference, with an emphasis on the software application POY, and the consequences for theories of molecular homology.
• Testing long-held hypotheses concerning the phylogeny and biogeography of the Myobatrachid frog genus Heleioporus across southern Australia.
• Conservation genetics of the critically endangered southern and northern corroboree frogs in eastern Australia, including assessing the viability and suitability of current management practice.
  

Education

• 2003-Present, PhD Candidate in Evolutionary Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT. Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. J. Scott Keogh
• 1998-1999, Master of Science in Advanced Methods in Taxonomy and Biodiversity. Imperial College, London and The Natural History Museum, London. Supervisor: Dr. A.P. Vogler (Pass with Distinction)
• 1994-1997, Bachelor of Science (with Honours) in Zoology, University of Manchester, UK.
  

Professional experience

• Present, Research Assistant to Assoc. Prof. J. S. Keogh Lab, School of Botany and Zoology, ANU. Constructing nuclear and mitochondrial gene data set for phylogenetic analysis of Myobatrachidae.
  
• 2003-2006, Tutor and demonstrator for various first, second and third year biology courses at The Australian National University.
  
• 2001-2003, Research Assistant to Prof. Dr. David Heckel, Department of Genetics, University of Melbourne, Genetic mapping of ribosomal protein genes in a range of lepidopteran pest species.
  
• 2000, Research Assistant to Dr. Sue Forrest, Gene Discovery Department, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia. Physical and genetic mapping of chromosomal abnormality associated with a behavioural disorder.
  
• 1999, Research Assistant to Dr. A. P. Vogler, Molecular Systematics Laboratory, The Natural History Museum, London, UK, Molecular systematics of water beetles and tiger beetles.

Fellowships, Research Grants, Awards

• 2003-Present, Australian National University Postgraduate Research Award and Stipend (AU$18,837 p.a. x 3.5 years).
• 2004, Australian Academy of Science Award for Research on the Conservation of Endangered Australian Vertebrate Species, AU$20,300 (sole recipient of award for 2004)
• 2003, Australian Society of Herpetologists Peter Rawlinson Student Prize for Best Oral Presentation.
  

Publications

• Morgan, M.J., Knisley, C.B. and A.P. Vogler. 2000. New taxonomic status of the endangered tiger beetle Cicindela limbata albissima (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae): Evidence from mtDNA. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 93(5): 1108-1115.
• Morgan, M. J., J. D. Roberts and J. S. Keogh. 2007. Molecular phylogenetic dating supports an ancient endemic speciation model in Australia's biodiversity hotspot. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 44:371-385.
• Morgan, M. J., PG Byrne, C Hayes, JS Keogh. Microsatellite markers in the endangered Australian northern corroboree frog, Pseudophryne pengilleyi (Anura: Myobatrachidae) and amplification in other Pseudophryne species. Conservation Genetics. In Press.
  

Submitted manuscripts

• Anderson, D. L. and M. J. Morgan. New and re-defined species of Tropilaelaps mites (Acari: Laelapidae), parasites of social honeybees.
• Morgan, M. J., R Brown, S Blomberg, JW Trueman, JS Keogh. Long-branch effects and the accuracy of phylogeny estimation under direct optimization: A simulation study.
• Siu F. Lee, M.J. Morgan , S. W. Baxter , C. W. Wee , P, Batterham, D. G. Heckel. Chromosomal conservation in Lepidoptera: Comparative genome mapping in Ostrinia nubilalis, Helicoverpa armigera, Heliothis virescens, and Plutella xylostella.
  

Manuscripts in preparation

• Morgan, M. J., D. Hunter, R. Pietsch, W. Osborne, J. S. Keogh. Conservation genetics of the endangered corroboree frogs based on microsatellites and mitchondrial DNA.

Last updated 7 Nov 2007