Janine DEAKIN

Janine is a Professor in Genomics and the Deputy Director of the Institute for Applied Ecology. Janine received her PhD from Macquarie University (Australia) in 1998. Janine then carried out postdoctoral research at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio before returning to Australia in 2001 to take up a research position in the Comparative Genomics Group at Australian National University. From 2004 -2010, Janine was a member of the Australian Research Council Centre for Kangaroo Genomics. In 2010, she was awarded an ARC Future Fellowship to carry out research on devil facial tumour disease. Janine moved to the University of Canberra in 2013.  Janine is continuing her research on devil facial tumour disease as well having projects on chromosomal speciation in rock-wallabies and sex determination in the central bearded dragon.

Editorial Boards

• Editor - Australian Journal of Zoology (2015-present)
• Chromosome Research (2015-present)
• AIMS Genetics (2014-present) and editor of a special issue on Epigenetics
• BMC Genomics (2014-present)

Panel/Committee Memberships

• Australian Research Council College of Experts 
• University of Canberra's Athena Swan Self-Assessment Team
• Oz Mammals Genomics Steering Committee 
• Centre for Biodiversity Analysis Liaison Committee 
• Biomolecular Resource Facility (ANU) Advisory Committee

Using rock-wallabies as a model to study chromosomal speciation

A major challenge we face is determining how best to manage biodiversity, while lacking an understanding of one of its key drivers - speciation. This project aims to determine the extent of chromosome rearrangements between rock-wallaby species in northern Queensland, where speciation appears to be caught in the act.  This research will help us to understand the role chromosome rearrangements play in speciation.