Associate Lecturer, Curtin University
I developed a keen interest in mygalomorph spiders in my undergraduate years after being introduced to the resident expert, Dr. Barbara York Main. For my honours, I developed an industry funded project that quantified the extreme susceptibility of trapdoor spiders to desiccation. After working as a consultant the following year, I decided to pursue a PhD and continue researching trapdoor spiders and how they might persist in urban areas. It was called ‘Living on burrowed time - mygalomorph spiders of Perth’. Now I am pursuing a teaching career at tertiary level, while continuing to research trapdoor spiders as a hobby.

Don't like spiders? Here are 10 reasons to change your mind
Jan 07, 2020 15:31 pm UTC| Life
Australia is famous for its supposedly scary spiders. While the sight of a spider may cause some people to shudder, they are a vital part of nature. Hostile reactions are harming conservation efforts especially when...