Dr Andy Sheppard’s research has focused on the role of natural enemies in plant population dynamics to better understand how species invade Australia.
Current activities
Dr Sheppard is Theme Leader for Emerging Biological Threats and Invasive Species Theme. As leader, Dr Sheppard is responsible for projects including:
Dr Sheppard also Leader for the Invasion Ecology research group. His research focuses on developing strategies around the threats and impacts from invasive alien species, involving both pre-border preparedness and post invasion management.
Background
In 1986 Dr Sheppard left the United Kingdom to join CSIRO Entomology in Montpellier, France, as a postdoctoral experimental scientist for five years.
He worked on the population ecology and plant-insect interactions of several genera of thistles which are weeds in Australia.
Dr Sheppard is a leading researcher in biological control and adaptive integrated weed management in Australia.
In 1991, he moved to Canberra, in the Australian Capital Territory, as a research scientist for the weeds research group where he was responsible for ecological projects involving the biological control of various species including:
-
Paterson's curse
-
common heliotrope
-
Scotch broom.
Dr Sheppard's experimental research has included many comparative native range and exotic range studies between Europe and Australia. He used this to develop population management models for a variety of weeds that test invasion theory.
In 2002, he returned to France as Officer-in-charge at CSIRO's European laboratory, before moving back to Canberra in 2006.
Academic qualifications
Dr Sheppard was awarded a Bachelor of Science with Honours and a Doctor of Philosophy from the Imperial College London, the latter at the ecological field station at Silwood Park, UK.
Achievements
Dr Sheppard has published over 100 refereed papers and over 20 technical and contracted research reports.
He is also:
-
an adjunct senior lecturer in the Botany and Zoology Department at the Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
-
an Editor of Biological Control
-
an Associate Editor on the Journal of Applied Ecology.
Dr Sheppard has also been involved in organising the following conferences:
-
as Chair of organising committee of XIIth International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds, Complex International de Lutte Biologique Agropolis (CILBA), Montpellier, France, 2007
-
as member of the organising committee of Seventh International Conference on Pests in Agriculture, Montpellier, France, 26-27 October 2005
-
as member of the organising committee of the IUCN International Workshop on Invasive plants in the Mediterranean type regions of the world, Montpellier, France, 25-27 May 2005
-
as co-organiser of symposium entitled Working at the interface of art and science: How best to select an agent for classical biological control? International Congress on Entomology, Brisbane, Australia, 17 August 2004
-
as co-organiser of 'Improving the selection, testing & evaluation of weed biological control agents'. Cooperative Research Centre for Australian Weed Management workshop, Perth, Australia, September 2003
-
as member of organising committee of the XI International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds, CSIRO Entomology, Australia, April 2003
-
as co-organiser of IOBC/CILBA International Conference 'Genetics, Evolution and Biological Control', Montpellier, France, October 2002
-
as co-organiser of Broom Management Weeds CRC Workshop, Moonan Flat, Australia, November 2000
-
as member of organising committee of the A J Nicholson Centenary Population Ecology Conference, Australian National University, Australia, 1995.
Learn more about CSIRO's research on Pest Management.
Site Map | Legal Notice and Disclaimer | Privacy | Copyright | Last updated: 19 June 2006
