Graham McCulloch
2024: Dr Graham McCulloch of Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka University of Otago has been awarded a New Zealand Mana Tūānuku Research Leader Fellowship to investigate how widespread human-induced deforestation and subsequent reforestation have shifted the evolutionary trajectories of native insects of Aotearoa New Zealand
Dr McCulloch completed both his undergraduate and PhD studies at the University of Otago, before gaining industry experience at AgResearch and taking on a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Queensland, Australia. During this time, he researched biological control agents, all while taking two parental leave breaks. After his time in Brisbane, Dr McCulloch returned to the University of Otago in 2018 as a Research Fellow. He is the recipient of two Marsden Fund grants and his research has established him as an expert in evolutionary biology, insect ecology, and genomics in response to environmental changes.
As the climate rapidly changes, species must either disperse and adapt or face extinction. Understanding how species adapt to climate change is a critical question, as evolution has traditionally been viewed as a slow process occurring over millions of years. However, recent studies in Aotearoa New Zealand have demonstrated that significant evolutionary changes can occur within much shorter timeframes. Dr McCulloch will explore how deforestation and reforestation efforts have influenced the evolution of native stoneflies. By combining insect collection with genetic research techniques, Dr McCulloch aims to uncover the mechanisms driving rapid changes in biological communities. This research will provide valuable insights into species adaptation to habitat loss, guide management strategies for conservation and restoration, and help predict the effects of future environmental shifts.
Alpine fieldwork in Fiordland (Supplied)