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Dr Bill Ellis

Research Fellow

School of the Environment
Faculty of Science

Research Fellow

School of the Environment
Faculty of Science
w.ellis@uq.edu.au

Overview

Dr Bill Ellis is an ecological researcher based in the School of Agriculture and Food Science. He gained a BSc with honours in Zoology at The Australian National University and holds a Master of Environmental Law from the same institution. Bill graduated with a PhD in Zoology from The University of Queensland in 1998 and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at San Diego Zoo's Centre for Research on Endangered Species in 2011.

Research Interests

  • Koala ecology
    research into the biology of koalas, their conservation and management

Research Impacts

My research addresses the ecological dilemmas faced by koalas and land managers attending to their requirements, from issues of competing habitat utilisation to climate variability and resource extraction. I am investigating mechanisms of sexual selection and regulators of population dynamics among koala populations across Queensland. As a result, I have direct contact with and support land managers who desire an understanding of the key attributes that feed into a sustainable ecosystem for the koala. As a soft - money researcher, my research is often applied and supplies knowledge that transfers into conservation and management decision making, through the application of local knowledge rather than theoretical propositions.

Qualifications

  • Masters (Research) of Law, Australian National University
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
  • Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), Australian National University

Publications

View all Publications

Grants

View all Grants

Supervision

View all Supervision

Available Projects

  • Heat load and the koala

    This project examines the behaviour and physiology of koalas, in the context of extreme temperatures and changes in climate. We are investigating fine scale microclimatic influences on behavior, broad scale habitat requirements, and the mechanisms and physiology associated with the management of heat load in this species. The project revolves around hands on research with koalas in the field and laboratory in Queensland and skills in modeling heat balance for an arboreal vertebrate.

    The project includes the use of surgical techniques and field monitoring of koalas, so it requires field and laboratory capability and the ability to work in remote environments.

    This project has a PhD top up grant and has considerable technical assistance available. Short - term projects are available in the Brisbane region and longer - term projects in southern and central Queensland are also available.

  • Pathways of pathogen transfer in the koala

    We are investigating the social and spatial dimensions of pathogen transfer in koalas, combining pathogen detection and classification with research into host defense and susceptibility. Following a long-term study population on St Bees Island using state-of-the-art technology is allowing us to establish the social and spatial regulators of koala disease dynamics while revealing unique information on the ecology and biology of the koala.

    Students will have the opportunity to investigate disease transmission and host responses or investigate the drivers of social and spatial dynamics in this population, choosing a laboratory or field environment.

View all Available Projects

Publications

Featured Publications

Book

Book Chapter

  • Health and disease

    Barnes, Tamsin S., Palmieri, Chiara, Blyde, David and Ellis, William (2015). Health and disease. Marsupials and monotremes: nature's enigmatic mammals. (pp. 315-358) edited by Athol Klieve, Lindsay Hogan, Stephen Johnston and Peter Murray. New York, United States: Nova Science.

  • The role of captive koalas in koala conservation

    Johnston, Stephen, Mucci, Al and Ellis, William (2013). The role of captive koalas in koala conservation. Conserving central Queensland's koalas. (pp. 54-59) edited by Nicole Flint and Alistair Melzer. Rockhampton, QLD, Australia: Central Queensland University.

Journal Article

Conference Publication

  • Disease and ecology in Central Queensland

    Ellis, William, Johnston, Steve, Melzer, Alistair, Carrick, Frank, Pyne, Michael and Fitzgibbon, Sean (2013). Disease and ecology in Central Queensland. Conserving Central Queensland's Koalas Workshop, Rockhampton, QLD, Australia, 1–3 February 2012. Rockhampton, QLD, Australia: Koala Research Centre of Central Queensland.

  • Drought and the koala: two case studies from the central highlands

    Melzer, Alistair, Ellis, William, FitzGibbon, Sean and Carrick, Frank (2013). Drought and the koala: two case studies from the central highlands. Conserving Central Queensland's Koalas Workshop, Rockhampton, QLD, Australia, 1–3 February 2012. Rockhampton, QLD, Australia: Koala Research Centre of Central Queensland.

  • Koala reproduction and the effect of drought in central Queensland; lessons from the Koala Venture project

    FitzGibbon, Sean, Ellis, William and Carrick, Frank (2013). Koala reproduction and the effect of drought in central Queensland; lessons from the Koala Venture project. Conserving Central Queensland's Koalas Workshop, Rockhampton, QLD, Australia, 1–3 February 2012. Rockhampton, QLD, Australia: Koala Research Centre of Central Queensland.

  • Managing Central Queensland’s koala islands

    Melzer, Alistair, Ellis, William, FitzGibbon, Sean and Carrick, Frank (2013). Managing Central Queensland’s koala islands. Conserving Central Queensland's Koalas Workshop, Rockhampton, QLD, Australia, 1–3 February 2012. Rockhampton, QLD, Australia: Koala Research Centre of Central Queensland.

  • Overview of Koala Research Centre study sites

    Melzer, Alistair, Ellis, William, FitzGibbon, Sean and Carrick, Frank (2013). Overview of Koala Research Centre study sites. Conserving Central Queensland's Koalas Workshop, Rockhampton, QLD, Australia, 1–3 February 2012. Rockhampton, QLD, Australia: Koala Research Centre of Central Queensland.

  • Regional research: perspectives from the field in central Queensland

    Ellis, William, FitzGibbon, Sean and Melzer, Alistair (2013). Regional research: perspectives from the field in central Queensland. Conserving Central Queensland's Koalas: A Koala Research Centre of Central Queensland Workshop, Rockhampton, QLD, Australia, 1-3 February, 2012. Rockhampton, QLD, Australia: Koala Research Centre of Central Queensland.

  • The Koala Venture Partnership: habitat clearing and restoration

    FitzGibbon, Sean, Ellis, William and Carrick, Frank (2013). The Koala Venture Partnership: habitat clearing and restoration. Conserving Central Queensland's Koalas Workshop, Rockhampton, QLD, Australia, 1–3 February 2012. Rockhampton, QLD, Australia: Koala Research Centre of Central Queensland.

  • The Koala Venture research partnership: an overview of 24 years of regional koala research in central Queensland

    FitzGibbon, Sean, Ellis, William and Carrick, Frank (2013). The Koala Venture research partnership: an overview of 24 years of regional koala research in central Queensland. Conserving Central Queensland's Koalas Workshop, Rockhampton, QLD, Australia, 1–3 February 2012. Rockhampton, QLD, Australia: Koala Research Centre of Central Queensland.

  • Unraveling the mystery of koala vocalisations: acoustic sensor network and GPS technology reveals males bellow to serenade females

    Ellis, WA, Fitzgibbon, SI, Roe, P, Bercovitch, FB and Wilson, R (2010). Unraveling the mystery of koala vocalisations: acoustic sensor network and GPS technology reveals males bellow to serenade females. Annual Meeting of the Society-for-Integrative-and-Comparative-Biology, Seattle WA, JAN 03-07, 2010.

  • Integrating research and conservation land management - A case study from koala research in St Bees Island National Park

    Melzer, A. and Ellis, W. A. (2009). Integrating research and conservation land management - A case study from koala research in St Bees Island National Park. 1st Australian Protected Areas Congress (APAC08), Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia, 24-28 November, 2008. Australia: Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand. doi: 10.1080/14486563.2009.9725239

  • Incorporating spatial data into analysis of koala populations in South-East Queensland

    Seddon, J., Lee, K., Ellis, W., Johnston, S., De Villiers, D., Preece, H. and Carrick, F. (2008). Incorporating spatial data into analysis of koala populations in South-East Queensland. Annual Meeting of the Society of Molecular Biology and Evolution 2008, Barcelona, Spain, 5-8 June, 2008. Society of Molecular Biology and Evolution.

  • Fine-scale genetic variation in declining Koala populations in South-east Queensland

    Lee, K., Seddon, J., Ellis, W., Johnston, S., de Villiers, D., Preece, H. and Carrick, Francis N. (2007). Fine-scale genetic variation in declining Koala populations in South-east Queensland. Fenner Conference on the Environment, Canberra, ACT, 2nd - 5th December 2007. Australasian Wildlife Management Society.

  • Genetic variation of closed (captive and island) and open (mainland) Koala populations in Queensland

    Lee, K., Seddon, J., Ellis, W., Johnston, S. and Carrick, F. N. (2007). Genetic variation of closed (captive and island) and open (mainland) Koala populations in Queensland. 53rd meeting of the Australian Mammal Society Conference, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia, 2-4 July 2007.

  • Long-term research on a long-lived species in a variable environment

    Carrick, F. N., Fitzgibbon, S. and Ellis, W. A. (2007). Long-term research on a long-lived species in a variable environment. Ecological Society of Australia 2007 Conference: Adapting to Change: Society - Environment - Science, Perth Convention Centre, Perth, Australia, 25-30 November, 2007. Ecological Society of Australia (ESA).

  • Planned Long-term Ecological Research Sites Preview Likely Effects of Climate Change on Tropical Koalas

    Carrick, Frank, Ellis, Bill, Fitzgibbon, Sean and Melzer, Alistair (2007). Planned Long-term Ecological Research Sites Preview Likely Effects of Climate Change on Tropical Koalas. Ecological Society of Australia Conference 2007: Adapting to Change (EAS 2007), Perth Convention Centre, Perth, Western Australia, 25-30 November 2007.

  • Seeing Forest (Fauna) instead of Trees - Lessons from the Long-term Study of an Arid Zone Koala Population

    Carrick, F. N., Ellis, W. A. and Fitzgibbon, S. (2007). Seeing Forest (Fauna) instead of Trees - Lessons from the Long-term Study of an Arid Zone Koala Population. Fenner Conference on the Environment, Canberra, ACT, 2nd - 5th December 2007. Australasian Wildlife Management Society.

  • Koala ecology: "Known knowns, known unknowns or unknown unknowns?"

    Ellis, Bill and Fitzgibbon, Sean (2006). Koala ecology: "Known knowns, known unknowns or unknown unknowns?". Ecology Across the Tasman - 3rd Joint Conference of the Ecological Society of Australia and the New Zealand Ecological Society, Wellington, New Zealand, 28 August - 1 September 2006.

  • Use by koalas of reconstructed landscapes, key inputs for land managers

    Woodward, William, Ellis, Bill, Carrick, Frank, Bowen, Dave and Smith, Paul (2005). Use by koalas of reconstructed landscapes, key inputs for land managers. Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference: 18th Scientific Meeting and Annual General Meeting, Hobart, Tasmania, 21-24 November 2005.

  • Koala Research and Management in Queensland

    Carrick, F. N., Dique, D., Ellis, W., Thompson, J., Melzer, A. and Gordon, G. (2004). Koala Research and Management in Queensland. 17th Scientific Meeting of the Australasian Wildlife Management Society, Kangaroo Island S.A., 29thNov – 2nd Dec, 2004.

  • Aspects of the ecology of koalas at Blair Athol Coal Mine

    Ellis, W. A. H., Hale, P. T., Carrick, F. N., Hasegawa, M., Neilson, M. and Esser, D. (2001). Aspects of the ecology of koalas at Blair Athol Coal Mine. The Research and Management of Non-Urban Koala Populations, Emerald, Queensland, 2-4 July, 1997. Rockhampton, Australia: Koala Research Centre of Central Queensland.

  • The ecology of koalas in central Queensland

    Ellis, W. A. and Carrick, F. N. (2001). The ecology of koalas in central Queensland. 16th International Symposium on Biotelemetry (16th ISOB), Vienna, Austria, 6-11 May, 2001.

Other Outputs

Grants (Administered at UQ)

Possible Research Projects

Note for students: The possible research projects listed on this page may not be comprehensive or up to date. Always feel free to contact the staff for more information, and also with your own research ideas.

  • Heat load and the koala

    This project examines the behaviour and physiology of koalas, in the context of extreme temperatures and changes in climate. We are investigating fine scale microclimatic influences on behavior, broad scale habitat requirements, and the mechanisms and physiology associated with the management of heat load in this species. The project revolves around hands on research with koalas in the field and laboratory in Queensland and skills in modeling heat balance for an arboreal vertebrate.

    The project includes the use of surgical techniques and field monitoring of koalas, so it requires field and laboratory capability and the ability to work in remote environments.

    This project has a PhD top up grant and has considerable technical assistance available. Short - term projects are available in the Brisbane region and longer - term projects in southern and central Queensland are also available.

  • Pathways of pathogen transfer in the koala

    We are investigating the social and spatial dimensions of pathogen transfer in koalas, combining pathogen detection and classification with research into host defense and susceptibility. Following a long-term study population on St Bees Island using state-of-the-art technology is allowing us to establish the social and spatial regulators of koala disease dynamics while revealing unique information on the ecology and biology of the koala.

    Students will have the opportunity to investigate disease transmission and host responses or investigate the drivers of social and spatial dynamics in this population, choosing a laboratory or field environment.

This staff member is a UQ Expert for media in the following fields:

Habitat and koalas, Koala physiology, Evolutionary ecology, Koalas, Breeding koalas

They are happy to lend their expertise to your articles or broadcasts and share their research discoveries and insights with the community via media channels.

For additional assistance with story ideas, general advice and information or help with seeking further experts, please email the UQ Media Team or telephone (07) 3365 1120.

Links

ORCID: 0000-0001-6017-4692

Scopus ID: 7201950768

Personal Profile: Link

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