Email: swroe@une.edu.au

Dr Marie Attard

RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Room LG114, Earth Sciences Building (C02), University of New England, Armidale
p: +61 4 0113 6526
e: mattard3@une.edu.au
w: www.marieattard.com

Research interests
  • Vertebrate form and function
  • Avian reproductive biology and evolution
  • Animal behaviour, behavioural ecology and cognition
  • Feeding ecology and predator/prey relationships
  • Conservation Ecology

Click here for CV

  • My research focuses on how biomechanics and shape of biological structures influence species ecology and morphological evolution. I investigate the relationship between form and function of hard tissues – primarily avian eggshells and vertebrate skulls.

    My current research uses constructed 3D images to deduce bite force and stress in biological structures during function using engineering technique Finite Element Analysis, and assess variation in shape of these structures using homologous landmarks using Geometric Morphometrics. In particular, I am interested in how these and other techniques can be applied within a comparative framework to inform on functional ecology and behaviour in individual taxa. Predominantly, I use X-Ray Micro Computed Tomography (microCT), medical CT and surface scans to gather three-dimensional representations of an organism's anatomy.

    I have investigated a range of questions using multi-disciplinary approaches - How does the shape and strength of eggs relate to differences in breeding traits? Were Neanderthals capable of speech or complex language? What did the large flightless extinct birds of New Zealand eat? Did the diet of the Tasmanian tiger make it more vulnerable to extinction?

    I am also interested in questions regarding the reproductive biology, behaviour and evolution of vertebrates. For my honours, I investigated geographic variation in acoustic signals of male Australian sea lions and how males respond to calls from local and foreign competitors. I am also passionate about conservation management and have been involved as a researcher, collaborator and volunteer to assist conservation research initiatives in Australia, Antarctica and the Maldives.
  • JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS

    1. Attard, M. R. G., Wilson L. A. B., Worthy T. H., Scofield P., Johnston P., Parr W. C. H. and Wroe S. (minor revisions) Moa diet fits the bill: virtual reconstruction incorporating mummified remains and prediction of biomechanical performance in avian giants. Proceedings of Royal Society B
    2. Attard, M. R. G., Parr, W. C. H., Wilson, L. A. B., Archer, M., Hand, S. J., Rogers, T. L., Wroe, S. (2014) Virtual Reconstruction and Prey Size Preference in the Mid Cenozoic Thylacinid, Nimbacinus dicksoni (Thylacinidae, Marsupialia). PLOS ONE., 9 (4), e93088
    3. D'Anastasio, R., Wroe, S., Tuniz, C., Arensburge, B., Mancini, L., Cesana, D. T., Dreossi, D., Ravichandiran, M., Attard, M. R. G., Parr, W. Agur, A. (2013) Internal microstructure and microbiomechanical modelling of the Kebara 2 Neanderthal hyoid: implications for the evolution of speech. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0082261
    4. Attard, M. R. G., Chamoli, U., Ferrara, T., Rogers, T. L. and Wroe, S. (2011) Skull mechanics and implications for feeding behaviour in a large marsupial carnivore guild: the thylacine, Tasmanian devil and spotted-tailed quoll. Journal of Zoology, 285 (4); 292-300.
    5. Attard, M.R.G., Pitcher, B.J., Charrier, I., Ahonen, H., Harcourt, R.G. (2010) Vocal discrimination in mate guarding male Australian sea lions: Familiarity Breeds Contempt, Ethology, 116; 1-9.

    ARTICLES

    1. Attard, M. R. G. and Wroe, S. (2012) “The thylacine myth”. Australasian Science Magazine. (6): 19-22.
    2. Attard, M. R. G. (2012) "Unveiling the mysteries of the Tasmanian Tiger". The conversation.
  • PRIZES

    2013 Attard, M. R. G. $6 000. Postgraduate Writing and Skills Transfer Award, Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, University of New South Wales.
    2012 Attard, M. R. G. $5 000. Faculty of Science Postgraduate Research Competition Winner, University of New South Wales.
    2012 Attard, M. R. G. $300. Wiley-Blackwell Student prize for outstanding spoken presentation, Ecological Society of Australia conference.
    2010 Attard, M. R. G. Postgraduate Forum Award for best presentation, University of New South Wales.
    2005-07 Attard, M. G. R. University Dean’s Medal, University of Western Sydney.

    SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS

    2013 Attard, M. R. G. £300. INTECOL Student Travel Grant.
    2012 Attard, M. R. G.$1 000. ERC Postgraduate Research Start-Up Grant. Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, University of New South Wales.
    2012 Attard, M. R. G. $200. Ecological Society of Australia Student Travel Grant.
    2011 Attard, M. R. G. $3 300. Postgraduate Research Student Support (PRSS) Scheme.
    2011 Attard, M. R. G. $1 000. Society for Marine Mammalogy (SMM) Travel Grant.
    2009-12 Attard, M. G. R. $20 427. Academic Postgraduate Award, University of New South Wales.
    2008 Attard, M. G. R. $500. Golden Key International Honours Society Scholarship.
    2005-07 Attard, M. G. R. $5 000. Academic Excellence Scholarship, University of Western Sydney.
  • TEACHING ROLES

    2015 Course Demonstrator. Vertebrate Zoology – Evolution and Diversity (ZOOL203), University of New England
    2014 Unit co-ordinator for Principles of Zoology (ZOOL100), University of New England
    2013 Instructor for three-day “Winning Presentations” Workshop. Sponsored by the Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, University of New South Wales.
    2012 Course Demonstrator. 2nd year Vertebrate Zoology (BIOS2061), University of New South Wales.
    2009/10 Course Demonstrator. 3rd year Animal Behaviour (BIOS3011), University of New South Wales.
    2008 Educational Officer. Sydney Aquarium and Sydney Wildlife Park, Sydney.
    2006 Student Mentor. 200331 Biology 1 (1st year), University of Western Sydney, Sydney.
    2006 International Student Mentor. University of Western Sydney, Sydney.

© 2014 The FEAR lab