Dr Lisa Kirkendale,Western Australian Museum, Perth
Chair, Local Organizing Committee

I am overwhelmed and excited by the molluscape in Western Australia, where I am Curator of Molluscs and Head of Aquatic Zoology at the Western Australian Museum. I have a BSc from University of Victoria (BC, Canada) and an MSc from the University of Guam Marine Laboratory, where I studied Indo-west Pacific (IWP) limpet phylogeography. I then did my PhD at University of Florida where I focussed on phylogenetics and character trait evolution of photosymbiotic marine bivalves known as heart cockles. Many of these incredible animals are found living on the edge of the Indian Ocean, the enigmatic and still less well-studied basin of the IWP. I’m excited by MSA 2024 as it represents a fabulous and long awaited opportunity (Covid) to host colleagues in the incredible city of Perth, dive into the captivating local waters, tour them around the WA Museum and showcase the newly opened Boola Bardip- to share our stories!

Dr Priscila Salloum, University of Otago

Originally from Brazil, I completed a BSc and BEdSc(SecTchg) in Biological Sciences at the State University of Campinas. I then did a MSc on population genetics of the periwinkle Echinolittorina lineolata, which was my entry ticket to the wonders of the molluscan world. I moved to New Zealand for my PhD at the University of Auckland, when I had the rare opportunity to study the most fascinating molluscs: chitons! Focusing on Onithochiton neglectus, I wanted to understand more about local adaptation using a combination of genomics, shell shape, and physiology (including piloting a study to take chiton heart rates!) During this time, I became an MSA member and met the wonderful malacological community in Molluscs 2018 (in Wellington). Now a postdoc at the University of Otago working with microbiomes and parasites in various invertebrates (including molluscs!), I am very excited about #Molluscs 2024 not only because of the outstanding science it promises to bring, but also because of the chance to finally catch up with other like-minded people and collaborators that I have not seen since pre-covid times. I really enjoy being an active member of the MSA; I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to organise this conference (remotely, thanks Lisa and team!) and facilitate connections within this fantastic community.

Mr Corey Whisson, Western Australian Museum, Perth
Member, Local Organizing Committee

I have been a Technical Officer in the Mollusc Section of the Western Australian Museum for over 23 years. During this time, I have participated in many fieldtrips collecting molluscs.

This has included numerous trawl and scuba diving expeditions along the WA coastline, from shallow water subtidal and intertidal surveys in the temperate Recherche Archipelago to the tropical north Kimberley and offshore islands (Mermaid, Scott, Seringapatam Reefs).

I have also spent lengthy periods at sea undertaking deep sea trawling or ROV (remotely operated vehicle) collections, in some instances down to a remarkable 5000 metres depth. Key places have been the south coast of WA, Ningaloo and Ashmore Reef.
As molluscs also occupy freshwater and terrestrial habitats, I have been involved in numerous surveys on land.

I am responsible for the day-to-day management of the State’s mollusc collection and associated databases, and contribute to field expeditions, public outreach, and educational programs.

Education

Bacherlor of Science (Biology), Curtin University
BSc(Hons) Environmental Biology, Curtin University
MPhil, Murdoch University

Research Interests

Particularly interested in non-marine molluscs of Western Australia, particularly the endemic genus Bothriembryon. Enjoy taxonomic work on these groups, describing new species.

MSA 2024

As part of the committee, I am excited to see the conference come together to showcase molluscan research in the region. On a personal note, it will provide an opportunity for me to present local Western Australian research on Bothriembryon. I also look forward to sharing this information with colleagues but also learning and expanding my research skills from the variety of speakers.

Dr Angus Lawrie,Biologic Environmental, Perth
Member, Local Organizing Committee

I have a BSc (Hons) from Murdoch University where I majored in Marine Science and Conservation Wildlife Biology. I then did my PhD at Murdoch University where I focussed on the phylogenetics, physiology and phylogeography of a genus of enigmatic gastropods called Coxiella which live exclusively in Australian salt lakes. Coxiella are the definition of a ‘mollusc on the edge’ eking out a fully aquatic existence in water that is 3 to 4 times saltier than seawater. I’m excited by MSA 2024 to hear about other molluscs that are persisting in other types of extreme habitats.

Mr Henry Carrick,Western Australian Museum, Perth
Member, Local Organizing Committee

Born and raised in Perth, I completed a BSc and MSc at The University of Western Australia. During my studies I developed an interest in marine invertebrates, particularly the more esoteric groups. This led me to study intertidal Zoantharia (Cnidaria) on the reef platforms of Rottnest Island for my master’s project. Afterwards, I worked in a variety of local roles related with marine invertebrates and ecology. Recently, I began a new position at the WA Museum where I coordinate teams of volunteers to register legacy material across a wide range of natural history collections. I spend most weekends SCUBA diving local reefs, jetties, and wrecks at night to find and photograph local invertebrate fauna. An avid iNaturalist user, I’ve recorded close to 800 marine species in the waters around Perth and have had some of my pictures printed in local and international guidebooks. I plan to embark on a PhD which will focus on Eulimidae sometime in the next year or two, the details of which I’m slowly working on. I’m most looking forward to MSA 2024 because it will be my first conference and I expect it to be an eye-opening experience. The prospect of meeting and hearing about the research of interstate and international researchers is particularly exciting and I’m sure this will be a very influential on how I think about and conduct my own research in the future.

Ms Kiah Grogan, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Perth
Member, Local Organizing Committee

Biological scientist working in taxonomy backbone creation, software development and data science.

Master of Biological Sciences, Marine biology | Thesis – “Evidence for range contraction and genetic divergence in a temperate marine gastropod: Campanile symbolicum”

Passionate about marine invertebrate conservation!