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Invasive Animals CRC > About Us > Our postgraduate students

Tarnya Cox

TarnyaTrailblazers award_cropped_Jul08

Associate Diploma (Wilderness Reserves and Wildlife).

Bachelor of Applied Science in Wildlife Biology (Hons) University of Queensland, 2003.

Thesis:  identifying the role of flying foxes (Pteropus sp.) in Australia in the transmission of Leptospirosis, a re-emerging disease.  

Prizes:

2008  Society for Conservation Biology's prize for a student presentation

2008  UniQuest Trailblazers Award for original, innovative early-stage research, University of Queensland

 

 Background

I have assisted with the coordination of an National Heritage Trust funded fox control program with a local Landcare group.

Other main interests of study have been small mammal biology and taxonomy, particularly bats and rodents and while working at a sanctuary in the Northern Territory I quickly became interested in animal behaviour.  

I like reading about evolutionary history, development and theory.

Outside of study my other interests include flamenco, astronomy, painting, martial arts, energy efficiency and sustainable living, gardening, diving, rock climbing and cycling.

 Supervisors

Dr Peter Murray (University of Qld)

Dr Graham Hall (DPIW Game Management Unit, Tasmania)

Andrew Tribe (University of Queensland)

Dr Xiuhua Li (University of Queensland).

 IA CRC Program

Terrestrial

 Project

Carnivore odours as repellants - evolutionary, taxonomical & dietary effects.

The main aim of the project is to determine the role that carnivore odours can play as repellents in Australia. The majority of the repellent work throughout the world has been undertaken in the USA and Europe. There is little information as to whether these eutherian-based products will work in Australia or on Australian native vertebrate pest species. I am evaluating the effectiveness of both eutherian (tiger) and marsupial (Tasmanian devil) carnivore odours against both introduced (eg goats) and native (eg kangaroos) vertebrate grazing and browsing species.

 Locations

University of Queensland, Gatton campus

Field trials are taking place on properties in the Darling Downs region of Queensland.