Who We Are
The Network for Ecological Research on Artificial Light (NERAL) was founded in February 2020 during a workshop, funded by Flinders University and hosted by the Sydney Institute for Marine Science. Over 20 professionals from academia, consultancy, and local and federal government attended the workshop to discuss research opportunities and management strategies for artificial light at night.
The Network aims to connect researchers and practitioners working across different realms (i.e. terrestrial, freshwater, marine environments), drive large spatial- and temporal-scale research projects, and serve as a contact point for anyone seeking information on the impacts of light pollution on wildlife.
Our current membership spans four Australian states and one territory, and includes representatives from:
· 5 Universities
· Local and federal government
· Environmental consultancy
· Not-for profit organisations
Meet the Members
Dr Katherine Dafforn, Senior Lecturer
Macquarie University
Katie’s research aims to understand and manage human impacts on aquatic communities. To do this, Katie has developed novel monitoring tools to measure waterway health, and has been involved in the ecologically-friendly design of marine artificial structures.
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Dr Emily Fobert, Research Fellow, NERAL Coordinator
University of Melbourne
Emily’s research interests fall at the intersection of marine ecology and environmental change, with a particular focus on human impacts in marine systems. Her current research is investigating the impacts of light pollution on the behaviour, physiology, and fitness of coral reef fishes, and identifying strategies to mitigate these impacts.
Dr Mariana Mayer Pinto, Scientia Fellow
University of New South Wales
Mariana’s research focuses on understanding the mechanisms underpinning biodiversity and the functioning of marine ecosystems. She is particularly interested in how anthropogenic stressors, such as contamination and urbanisation, affect the marine environment, with the goal of developing evidence-based solutions.
Niki Hubbard, PhD Candidate, NERAL Social Media Manager
University of New South Wales
Niki is a marine behavioural ecologist and science communicator, fascinated by the weird and wonderful world beneath the waves, and starry-eyed over cephalopods, crabs, and corals. He is now studying how ALAN affects marine invertebrate behaviour, and how that in turn could impact coastal ecosystems.
Dr Anne Aulsebrook, Researcher
University of Melbourne
Annie is interested in the impacts of light on activity patterns and sleep, particularly in birds. Her research provides insight into the unintended consequences of artificial lighting for wildlife.
Dr Damon Bolton, Research Associate
University of New South Wales
Damon is a marine ecologist interested in the interaction of humans and the marine environment. His research has focused on predator-prey interactions in urban marine environments, ecosystem restoration of macrophytes, and the distribution and diversity of microplastics ingested by estuarine fish species.
Ashton Dickerson, PhD Candidate
University of Melbourne
Ashton's research interests include examining evolutionary and ecological impacts for birds with a focus on the effect of artificial light at night on nocturnal bird song behaviour.
Alicia Dimovski, PhD Candidate
La Trobe University
Alicia has a broad interest in the effect of anthropogenic disturbance and pollution on the natural environment. Alicia’s current research focuses on the ecological and health consequences of artificial light at night on Australian mammals.
Associate Professor Therésa Jones
University of Melbourne
Therésa is interested in the ecological impact of light pollution with a specific focus on the behaviour and physiological responses in animals.
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Dr Lucy McLay, Researcher
University of Melbourne
Lucy is interested in the behavioural and physiological changes in invertebrates associated with artificial light at night, particularly around effects on fitness and the potential for artificial light at night to act as a driver of evolutionary change.
Sarah Penny Joyce, Executive Officer
Sydney Coastal Councils Group Inc.
SCCG is a regional organisation of councils with a specific focus upon sustainable management of coastal and estuarine environments. SCCG provides benefits to Councils across a range of issues including climate change adaptation, coastal infrastructure, and biodiversity restoration and conservation.
Dr Kellie Pendoley, Principal Scientist
Pendoley Environmental Pty Ltd
Kellie is an environmental consultant interested in instrumental techniques for measuring and monitoring radiometric (biologically meaningful) light, modelling radiometric light and sky glow on a landscape scale, and impact of light on marine turtles, seabirds and migratory shorebirds.
Professor Alistair Poore
University of New South Wales
Alistair’s research uses field and laboratory experiments, and global syntheses to better understand species interactions in marine and terrestrial environments, and how these are affected by human activities.
Dr Kylie Robert
Latrobe University
Kylie’s research interests are broadly focused on reproductive ecology and conservation biology. She is interested in the impact of artificial light on the timing of reproduction in seasonally breeding species and ways to mitigate the negative effects of light at night on these species.
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Maximilian Schwarz, Honours Research Graduate
Maastricht University/ University of New South Wales
Max’s interests lie in marine policy and conservation, particularly in the implementation and planning of well-designed marine protected areas. Max is keen to explore the impacts of artificial light at night on marine organisms to inform decisions about marine spatial planning in urbanized coastal areas.
Professor Stephen Swearer, Director of the National Centre for Coasts and Climate
University of Melbourne
Steve’s research interests lie in marine ecology and environmental science, with a focus on pollution impacts and climate adaptation, and mitigation solutions in coastal ecosystems. He is currently investigating the role of nocturnal illumination in biological rhythms in fishes.
Lena Holtmanns, PhD Candidate
University of New South Wales
Lena’s research investigates the effects of urbanisation on coastal marine ecosystems. More specifically, her focus is on the interactions between habitat complexity and artificial light at night and how these affect marine organisms in the subtidal zone of rocky reefs.
Nik Willmott, PhD Candidate
University of Melbourne
Nik’s research is on the effects of anthropogenic stressors, particularly artificial light at night and pesticides, on the behavioural ecology of native Australian spiders. Nik is interested in how the basic biology of spiders determines their success in an increasingly urbanised world.
Milly Caley, Research Assistant
University of New South Wales
Milly’s research focuses on multi-stressor impacts in temperate marine systems. Currently, we are investigating the independent and combined effects of Artificial Light at Night and Warming on sea urchin grazing, growth and behaviour, and seaweed growth, productivity and nutritional quality.