James Bickerstaff
PhD candidate
About
I am currently a PhD student at The Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University.
My research focuses on the ambrosia beetle fauna (Curculionidae: Platypodinae & Scolytinae) of Australia and their associated microbial symbionts. These fascinating insects allow me to explore the biogeography, co-evolution, and phylogenetic impacts on insect symbioses.
Research Interests
Biogeography
Taxonomy & Systematics
Microbial Symbion Evolution
Applications of Molecular Ecology
Curriculum vitae
Contact
Grants
Ecological Society of Australia
Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment, 2018 - Present
Valued at $21,000
Australian Biological Resources Study
National Taxonomy Research Grant Program
Student Travel Grant, 2019 - Present
Valued at $1,500
The Linnean Society of NSW
John Noble Award for Invertebrate Research, 2020
Valued at $900
Awards
Western Sydney University
Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, HDR Forum Speaker Prize, People’s Choice Award, 2018
Western Sydney University Postgraduate Research Award, 2018-2020
Western Sydney University Master of Research Scholarship, 2017
Teaching
Western Sydney University
Practical Demonstrator
Invertebrate Biology, 2016-2019
Principles of Zoology, 2016-2019
Lectures
Insect behaviour and evolution, Invertebrate Biology, 2018 - 2020
The evolution and diversity of Arthropods, Principles of Zoology, 2017 - 2019
Conferences
Bickerstaff, J.R.M., Mueller, R., Smith, S., Jordal, B., Riegler, M. 2019. Population genomics of the uniquely eusocial beetle, Austroplatypus incompertus (Curculionidae: Platypodinae) – cryptic species or diverging populations? Australian Entomological Society 50th AGM and Scientific Conference, Brisbane, Queensland, 1-4 December 2019.
Bickerstaff, J.R.M., Smith, S., Jordal, B., Riegler, M. 2018. Discovering the weevil within: the diversity, phylogeography, and ecology of Australian ambrosia beetles (Curculionidae: Platypodinae, Scolytinae). Ecological Society of Australia, Brisbane, Queensland, 25-29 November 2018.
Bickerstaff, J.R.M., Smith, S., Riegler, M. 2017. Ancient farmers in Australian trees: the diversity of Australian pinhole borers (Curculionidae: Platypodinae). Australian Entomological Society 48th AGM and Scientific Conference, Terrigal, NSW, 17-20 September 2017.
Academic qualifications
Western Sydney University
Doctor of Philosophy, 2018 - Present
Masters of Research, 2016 - 2017
Macquarie University
Graduate Diploma of Conservation Biology, 2015
Bachelor of Science (Biology), 2011 - 2014