 Kylie
Joan Leonard
BSc(Hons) (University of Adelaide, Australia)
GDEd (University of Adelaide, Australia)
PhD Candidate in Neurobiology
Postgraduate Student Representative
Research Interest:
Kylie's current research interests lies in the evolution of the biological
clock (ie.Circadian System of the Australian Sleepy Lizard, Tiliqua
rugosa). In mammals, only the suprachiasmatic nuclei of the hypothalumus
(SCN) maintain the oscillation of the circadian rhythms whereas in some
species of lizards the pineal retinae, parietal eye and SCN have all been
shown to have a role.One suggestion for this difference is the photic
environment of the animal. To date, the species studied are phylogenetically
disparate and no definitive conclusions can be drawn. Kylie is presently
determining what the ecological or phylogenetic niches may be driving
the presence or abscence of circadian oscillators through the comparison
of closely related Australian lizard species. Other research domains include
temperature compensation of circadian rhythmns and the effects of light
and temperature on the in vitro pineal melatonin rhythms of Tiliqua
rugosa. Apart from working in the Anatomical Sciences department
Kylie also does her analysis in the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
Member of Neurobiology Research
Group
Supervisors
Dr Bruce Firth, Anatomical Sciences,
Adelaide University
Dr Robert Moyer, Molecular Biosciences, Adelaide University
Dr Mark Hutchinson, Museum of South Australia
email: Kylie.Leonard@adelaide.edu.au
Ph 618 8303 5952
Ph 0417 806 295
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