Dylan is deeply passionate about the environment and using science to address contemporary environmental challenges. Having majored in Marine Biology and Conservation and Wildlife Biology during his undergraduate studies, Dylan’s research interests have since shifted toward the taxonomy, ecology and evolution of aquatic invertebrates from inland waters. During his honours degree, Dylan used genetic data to assess the taxonomy of morphologically similar crustacean species, which serves as the foundation of his PhD research.

Now a Forrest PhD Scholar at Murdoch University, Dylan is researching the diversity and evolution of invertebrates from Australia’s salt lakes and groundwater ecosystems. His research addresses a critical gap in biodiversity science by improving the taxonomic knowledge for ecologically important but poorly documented species. Dylan’s work will focus on copepods, a diverse group of microscopic crustaceans, many of which are data-deficient or unknown to science. Due to the impacts of climate change and intensifying human-driven pressures, there is an increasing risk that some of these undocumented species may be lost before they are ever recognised. Dylan’s research therefore aims to establish a robust taxonomic framework for halophilic and stygobitic copepods, providing essential information to guide conservation priorities in Australia’s threatened inland and groundwater ecosystems.

Beyond his research, Dylan is passionate about environmental stewardship and community engagement and is committed to making science accessible beyond academic settings. Having worked as a barber prior to his academic journey, Dylan has developed a strong appreciation for informal science communication and enjoys engaging with non-scientific audiences in everyday settings. Dylan hopes that accessible science can empower communities to better understand and engage with environmental challenges.