Education

The University of Melbourne (2016 - Present)
Melbourne, Victoria AUS
​Ph.D. Biology
​Advisors: Dr. Devi Stuart-Fox, Dr. Adnan Moussalli, Dr. Claire McLean

​The University of Hawaii, Manoa (2012 - 2015)
Honolulu, Hawaii USA
​M.Sc. Zoology                                                                                          
Specialization in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation
Advisor: Dr. Robert Thomson
 
Saint Louis University (2008 - 2012) 
Saint Louis, Missouri USA                                                                   
B.Sc. Biology                                                                                         
Certificate in Biodiversity and Conservation

Publications

Dong CM, Engstrom TE, Thomson RC. 2016. Origins of softshell turtles in Hawaii with implications for conservation. Conservation Genetics. 17(1): 207—220. 
Download
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-015-0772-7

​Cantrell EA, Dong CM, Hill CA, Warren DE. 2014. Buoyancy control in cold-submerged painted turtles: implications for overwintering physiology and behavior. Herpetologica. 70(4): 388—394.
Download
https://doi.org/10.1655/HERPETOLOGICA-D-14-00016

Grants and Fellowships

2018: The University of Melbourne, Animal Welfare Excellence Award: $1,000 AUD
2018: The University of Melbourne, Science Abroad Travelling Scholarship: $1,500 AUD
2018: The University of Melbourne, BioSciences Travel Grant: $1,500 AUD
2017: The Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment: $6,000 AUD
2017:  The University of Melbourne, F.H. Drummond Travel Award:  $886 AUD
2017:   ​American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Travel Award:  $800 USD
2017:  Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, Travel Award:  $500 USD
2016 - Present:  Melbourne Research Fellowship: $27,596 AUD/year
2015:  The University of Hawaii, Graduate Student Organization Travel Award: $258 USD
2014:  ​Hampton and Meredith Carson Fellowship:  $3,800 USD
​2013 - 2015:  The University of Hawaii at Manoa, Graduate Teaching Assistantship: $20,000 USD/year
2012: The University of Hawaii at Manoa, Graduate Research Assistantship: $20,000 USD/year

Presentations

​Dong CM, McLean CA, Moussalli A, Stuart-Fox DM. December 2018. Correspondence of genomic and phenotypic lines across a contact zone of the tawny dragon, Ctenophorus decresii. Joint Meeting of the Australian Society of Herpetologists and the Society for Research on Amphibians and Reptiles in New Zealand. Kindilan, Queensland, AUS.

​Dong CM, McLean CA, Moussalli A, Stuart-Fox DM. July 2018. Genomic and phenotypic patterns across a contact zone of colorful agamids. Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists. Rochester, New York USA.

Dong CM, McLean CA, Moussalli A, Stuart-Fox DM. July 2017. Characterizing a sexual color trait across a contact zone of Australian agamids. Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists. Austin, Texas USA. *SSAR Henri Seibert Honorable Mention in Systematics/Evolution

Dong CM, McLean CA, Moussalli A, Stuart-Fox DM. June 2017. Colour vision and opsin expression variation in an agamid, Ctenophorus decresii. Australian Society of Herpetologists. Fairbridge, Western Australia AUS.

​Dong CM, Engstrom TE, Thomson RC. July 2015. Origins of softshell turtles in Hawaii with implications for conservation. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles.  Lawrence, Kansas USA.
​
​Dong CM, Engstrom TE, Thomson RC. April 2015. Origins of softshell turtles in Hawaii with implications for conservation. Albert Tester Memorial Symposium. Honolulu, Hawaii USA.

Dong CM, Warren DE. April 2012. The effects of depth and temperature acclimatization on buoyancy control in the painted turtle. Saint Louis University Undergraduate Research Symposium.  Poster.  Saint Louis, Missouri USA.

Teaching Experience

The University of Melbourne
Demonstrator* (2016 - Present)
  • ZOOL 30007: Experimental Animal Behaviour
  • ZOOL 20006: Comparative Animal Physiology
  • ECOL 20003: Ecology
  • BIOL 10005: Genetics and the Evolution of Life
  • BIOL 10003: Genes and Environment
  • VCE Genetics Workshops
Gene Technology Access Centre (GTAC)
Melbourne, Victoria, AUS
​Scientist Mentor (July 2016 - Present)
  • Introducing primary and secondary school students to the applications of cell and molecular biology with hands-on laboratory experiences
The University of Hawaii, Manoa
Graduate Teaching Assistant* (2013 - 2015)
  • ZOOL 480: Evolution
  • ZOOL 430: Animal Physiology
  • BIOL 275: Cell and Molecular Biology
  • BIOL 265: Ecology and Evolution
 *Terms are generally interchangeable; the applicable regional term is used in each instance

Society Memberships

American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (ASIH)
Australian Society of Herpetologists (ASH)
Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles (SSAR)
​​Ecological Society of Australia (ESA)

Relevant Work Experience

The Great Basin Institute
Desert Tortoise Survey Monitor (Aug - Nov 2015)
  • Performed line-distance sampling and mark-recapture protocol to survey for desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii)
  • Attached identification tags and radio-telemetry transmitters
  • Performed biometric measurements and preliminary health assessments

Media

SCOPE is a children’s science show produced in association with the CSIRO. S4 Ep52: Reptiles and Amphibians features our tawny dragon research.