Keynote Speakers
Professor Lesley Lancaster
School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen
Lesley is Professor of Biology and Chair of the Ecology Research Cluster at the University of Aberdeen. Her research focusses on understanding how evolutionary change contributes to and evolves in response to species’ range shifting. Past work has focussed on the interplay between insect physiological tolerances, social and sexual behaviour, community ecology, and the range shift response, following lines of inquiry that have applied relevance for anticipating responses in expanding pest species.
Dr Erinn Fagan-Jeffries
School of Biological Sciences, Adelaide University
Erinn is a Research Fellow based at Adelaide University in South Australia. She leads a research group working to improve knowledge of Australia’s wasp diversity using rapid-DNA barcoding, phylogenomics and integrative taxonomy. With a background in science communication, her passion is bringing taxonomy out of universities and museums and into the community through citizen science projects.
Alex Ibarra
CEO Metanexus Australia, Brisbane
Alex is a proud First Nations man from the Kooma Nation, an educator, innovator, and CEO of Metanexus Australia. He works at the intersection of Indigenous knowledge, sustainability, and enterprise, leading strategic initiatives that connect community, industry, and government to drive large scale impact. As the founder of Indigi-Green Farm and Indigibee, Alex delivers projects in urban food production, pollinator conservation, and culturally grounded STEM education. With a background in teaching and program delivery, he brings a practical, strengths-based approach to complex challenges, championing First Nations perspectives and creating scalable, future-focused solutions.
Dr Sonu Yadav
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, NT Government
Sonu is Principal Molecular Scientist with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Northern Territory Government, and an Adjunct Research Fellow at Charles Darwin University. Her research uses molecular tools to address key questions in species management, conservation, and evolutionary biology, supporting the protection of Australia’s biodiversity and agricultural systems. She leads community science initiatives that enhance public understanding of molecular biology, promote science education and STEM career pathways in remote and regional schools across northern Australia, particularly among First Nations students. She collaborates with industry partners, researchers, policymakers, and students to strengthen a coordinated biosecurity system..
Public Lecture (10 December, evening)
Professor Eric Warrant
Lund Vision Group, University of Lund, Sweden
Eric is an Australian scientist who is Professor of Zoology at the University of Lund in Sweden. He is a Visiting Fellow at the Research School of Biology at the ANU, an Adjunct Professor at Adelaide University and is a Corresponding Member of the Australian Academy of Science. Eric studies vision and visual navigation in nocturnal and deep-sea animals, with his most recent work centered on the sensory basis of long-distance migration in the Bogong moth.
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