Education
The University of Melbourne (2016 - Present)
Melbourne, Victoria AUS
Ph.D. Biology
Advisors: Dr. Devi Stuart-Fox, Dr. Adnan Moussalli, Dr. Claire McLean
Thesis: Speciation and secondary contact in a colorful agamid
The University of Hawaii, Manoa (2012 - 2015)
Honolulu, Hawaii USA
M.Sc. Zoology
Specialization in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation
Advisor: Dr. Robert Thomson
Thesis: Origins of softshell turtles in Hawaii with implications for conservation
Saint Louis University (2008 - 2012)
Saint Louis, Missouri USA
B.Sc. Biology
Certificate in Biodiversity and Conservation
Senior thesis: Buoyancy control in cold-submerged painted turtles (Chrysemys picta)
Melbourne, Victoria AUS
Ph.D. Biology
Advisors: Dr. Devi Stuart-Fox, Dr. Adnan Moussalli, Dr. Claire McLean
Thesis: Speciation and secondary contact in a colorful agamid
The University of Hawaii, Manoa (2012 - 2015)
Honolulu, Hawaii USA
M.Sc. Zoology
Specialization in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation
Advisor: Dr. Robert Thomson
Thesis: Origins of softshell turtles in Hawaii with implications for conservation
Saint Louis University (2008 - 2012)
Saint Louis, Missouri USA
B.Sc. Biology
Certificate in Biodiversity and Conservation
Senior thesis: Buoyancy control in cold-submerged painted turtles (Chrysemys picta)
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
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 Awards
2019: The Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment: $1,700 AUD
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 International Research Scholarship: $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
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 International Research Scholarship: $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
Conference 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.
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)
Melbourne, Victoria, AUS
Scientist Mentor (July 2016 - Present)
Graduate Teaching Assistant* (2013 - 2015)
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
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
Graduate Teaching Assistant* (2013 - 2015)
- ZOOL 480: Evolution
- ZOOL 430: Animal Physiology
- BIOL 275: Cell and Molecular Biology
- BIOL 265: Ecology and Evolution
Professional Societies
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)
Australian Society of Herpetologists (ASH)
Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles (SSAR)
Ecological Society of Australia (ESA)
Peer Review
Relevant Work Experience
The Great Basin Institute
Desert Tortoise Survey Monitor (Aug - Nov 2015)
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.
Assorted Skills
Lab: DNA extraction, RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis, standard PCR, droplet digital PCR, primer design, gel electrophoresis, SDS-PAGE, ELISA, restriction digests.
Bioinformatics: assembly and annotation of RADseq datasets, population genetics, phylogenetic theory and methods, transcriptome annotation.
Fieldwork: reptile handling, lizard noosing, morphological measurements, blood collection, tail tipping, pitfall trapping, drift nets, aquatic turtle trapping, first aid and CPR.
Misc: qGIS, Photoshop, spectral reflectance measurements, visual modeling.
Programming: R, Linux environment.
Bioinformatics: assembly and annotation of RADseq datasets, population genetics, phylogenetic theory and methods, transcriptome annotation.
Fieldwork: reptile handling, lizard noosing, morphological measurements, blood collection, tail tipping, pitfall trapping, drift nets, aquatic turtle trapping, first aid and CPR.
Misc: qGIS, Photoshop, spectral reflectance measurements, visual modeling.
Programming: R, Linux environment.
