College of Sciences staff by location (campus)
Contact details +6469518672
Dr Gillian Gibb BSc, MSc, PhD
Senior Lecturer in Zoology and Ecology
Doctoral Supervisor School of Food Technology and Natural SciencesI am interested in the molecular evolution of birds and animals. My research interests include New Zealand birds, island avian assemblages, the impact of the KT boundary on avian evolution, mitochondrial genome assembly, gene order, long branch attraction, phylogenetics and systematics.
I completed my PhD with Professor David Penny in 2010, and since then have undertaken postdoctoral positions at the Australian National University in Canberra, and the University of Montpellier in France. My previous research has revolved around mitochondrial genomes and phylogenetics of birds, marsupials and Xenarthrans (armadillos, anteaters and sloths).
Professional
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science in Genetics - Massey University (2001)
- Master of Science, Second Class Honours (Division 1) in Genetics - Massey University (2002)
- Doctor of Philosophy - Massey University (2010)
Certifications and Registrations
- Licence, Supervisor, Massey University
Prizes and Awards
- Awarded a two year Rutherford Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship to undertake a full-time research programme at Massey University - (2011)
- Ernst Mayr Symposium finalist, Evolution Meeting (Portland, Oregon) 2010 - (2010)
- Ernst Mayr Symposium finalist, Evolution Meeting (Stonybrook, New York) 2006 - (2006)
- Awarded Best student talk (biological) at the NZ Phylogenetics Conference (Kaikoura, NZ) 2009 - (2009)
Research Expertise
Research Interests
As part of a Marsden grant I am investigating the genetic architecture of flightlessness in island birds using comparative genomics. My focus is on the New Zealand rails, including takahe, pukeko, weka, and banded rail. Modern DNA sequencing technology allows the investigation of ecological traits and the link between genotype and phenotype (molecules and morphology) on a scale previously impossible.
Flightlessness has evolved independently numerous times within birds, and especially within the rails. My research focuses on the genome level differences between flighted and flightless sister species. One prediction of flightlessness is that it requires less energy. I am investigating metabolic gene pathways for evidence of relaxed selection in flightless rails. Flightless birds also have relatively reduced wings and tails, and increased body size relative to their flighted sister species.
I am interested in using genomic tools to understand avian and mammalian evolution, and have research collaborations with researchers in New Zealand, Australia, France and Canada.
Thematics
Resource Development and Management
Area of Expertise
Field of research codes
Animal Systematics and Taxonomy (060301):
Biological Adaptation (060303):
Biological Sciences (060000):
Ecology (060200):
Evolutionary Biology (060300):
Genetics (060400):
Genome Structure and Regulation (060407):
Genomics (060408):
Molecular Evolution (060409):
Speciation and Extinction (060311):
Vertebrate Biology (060809):
Zoology (060800)
Keywords
Genomics, evolution, phylogenetics, birds, mammals, ancient DNA
Research Projects
Completed Projects
Project Title: Why fly when you can walk? Genetic pathways to flightlessness
Date Range: 2017 - 2022
Funding Body: Royal Society of New Zealand
Project Team:
- Dr Gillian Gibb - Project Leader
- Prof Steven Trewick - Team Member
Research Outputs
Journal
[Journal article]Authored by: Gibb, G., Trewick, S.
[Journal article]Authored by: Gibb, G.
[Journal article]Authored by: Gibb, G.
[Journal article]Authored by: Gibb, G.
[Journal article]Authored by: Gibb, G.
[Journal article]Authored by: Gibb, G., Trewick, S.
[Journal article]Authored by: Gibb, G.
[Journal article]Authored by: Gibb, G.
[Journal article]Authored by: Gibb, G., Morgan-Richards, M., Trewick, S.
[Journal article]Authored by: Gibb, G.
[Journal article]Authored by: Gibb, G.
[Journal article]Authored by: Gibb, G.
[Journal article]Authored by: Gibb, G., McLenachan, P.
[Journal article]Authored by: Gibb, G.
[Journal article]Authored by: Garcia Ramirez, J., Gibb, G., Trewick, S.
[Journal article]Authored by: Garcia Ramirez, J., Gibb, G., Trewick, S.
[Journal article]Authored by: Gibb, G., McLenachan, P.
[Journal article]Authored by: Gibb, G.
[Journal article]Authored by: Gibb, G.
[Journal article]Authored by: Gibb, G., Hills, S.
[Journal article]Authored by: Gibb, G.
[Journal article]Authored by: Gibb, G.
[Journal article]Authored by: Gibb, G., Trewick, S.
[Journal article]Authored by: Gibb, G.
[Journal article]Authored by: Gibb, G.
[Journal article]Authored by: Gibb, G., Morgan-Richards, M.
[Journal article]Authored by: Gibb, G.
[Journal article]Authored by: Gibb, G.
[Journal article]Authored by: Gibb, G.
[Journal article]Authored by: Gibb, G., McLenachan, P.
[Journal article]Authored by: Gibb, G.
Thesis
[Doctoral Thesis]Authored by: Gibb, G.
Conference
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Gibb, G., Trewick, S.
[Conference Abstract]Authored by: Garcia Ramirez, J., Gibb, G., Trewick, S.
[Conference Poster]Authored by: Garcia Ramirez, J., Gibb, G., Trewick, S.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Gibb, G., Trewick, S.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Gibb, G., Trewick, S.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Gibb, G.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Gibb, G.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Gibb, G.
[Conference Poster]Authored by: Gibb, G.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Gibb, G.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Gibb, G.
[Conference Poster]Authored by: Gibb, G., Hills, S.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Gibb, G.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Gibb, G.
[Conference Poster]Authored by: Gibb, G.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Gibb, G.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Gibb, G., Trewick, S.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Gibb, G.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Gibb, G.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Gibb, G.
Other
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Gibb, G.
Teaching and Supervision
Summary of Doctoral Supervision
Position | Current | Completed |
---|---|---|
Main Supervisor | 1 | 1 |
Co-supervisor | 1 | 1 |
Current Doctoral Supervision
Main Supervisor of:
-
Xiaochuan Liu
-
Doctor of Philosophy
Evolution of toxin resistance in the brushtail possum - A pan-genome approach
Co-supervisor of:
-
Eliana Ramos Pallares
-
Doctor of Philosophy
Is there a role for the Major Histocompatibility Complex in brown kiwi mate choice?
Completed Doctoral Supervision
Main Supervisor of:
-
2022
-
Julien Gaspar
-
Doctor of Philosophy
Convergent evolution of flightlessness in rails (Aves: Rallidae)
Co-supervisor of:
-
2015
-
Muhammad Mahmood
-
Doctor of Philosophy
Avian Raptor Evolution
Media and Links
Page authorised by Web Content Manager
Last updated on Monday 27 February 2023