Coral Reef Ecology Laboratory - Professor Mark Ian McCormick









Mark McCormack Reef Fish Ecology

What professions do our graduates go into?

David Jones - Completed an Honours at JCU, Undertook a PhD with Prof Dean Jerry in Aquaculture (JCU) using applying genetic and genomic tools. He has done an Industry-based post-doc at JCU in quantitative and population genetics of marine wildlife and commercially important species (including pearl oysters, shrimp, damselfish, lobster and catfish). During this time he was heavily involved in three multi-million dollar research projects aiming to improve production traits in pearl oysters and the white-legged shrimp. He is currently undertaking a post-doc in French Polynesia with Prof Serge Planes (Univ Perpignan)

James Moore - Completed an Honours at JCU; Research Officer at JCU; now working in the Marine Science Program, Science Division, Department of Environment and Conservation, Western Australia. He started a PhD at Charles Darwin University in 2013.

Jessica Maddams- Completed an Honours at JCU; she became a Research Officer at JCU for 2 years, and then worked on micro and macroalgal aquaculture with the join venture between JCU and the MBD energy Algal research unit up until 2018. 

Rachel Manassa- Completed an Honours at JCU; worked as an Ecologist (environmental consultant), ENSR Australia Ltd for 3y; now doing a PhD with me at JCU which she completed in 2013. She then obtained a Research Fellow position at Monash University working on an ARC Linkage project looking at the recovery of seagrass beds. Rachel is now undertaking a post-doc at Central Queensland University.

Jenny Pickering - Completed an Honours at UQ; currently Conservation officer, Wantok Environment Centre, Vanuatu

 

Tom Holmes - Completed an Honours at JCU, then PhD in Marine Biology, JCU; currently Marine Researcher, Marine Science Program, Science Division, Department of Environment and Conservation, Western Australia

Matt Fraser - Completed an Honours in Auqaculture (Baramundi skeletal deformities), then did a PhD in Marine Biology, JCU; and left to become a Senior Environmental Scientist (URS Corporation, Perth, WA; 2009-2012), Environmental Advisor (Chevron, 2012 - 2014), Environment Specialist (with NOPSEMA, WA) through to 2018, before joining the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority as a Reef Manager (Major Project Decisions)

Johan Larson - Completed an Honours at JCU; freelance videographer; currently a Research Officer at JCU (Cairns)

Choo Poh Leem - Completed a Masters of Applied Science at JCU; currently Marine Biologist, WWF-Malaysia, Semporna, Malaysia

John Claydon - Completed a PhD in Marine Biology; Center Director, SFS - Center for Marine Resource Studies, South Caicos, Turks & Caicos Islands, British West Indies; currently: Director, Tropical Marine Conservation Biology Faculty,  CIEE Research Station Bonaire,Dutch Caribbean

David Wilson - After an Honours at JCU, he became a Research Officer at JCU; PhD at JCU; Fisheries officer, American Samoa; Director, Center for Marine Resource Studies, South Caicos, Turks & Caicos Islands, British West Indies; Senior Scientist, Fisheries and Marine Science Program, Bureau of Rural Sciences, Canberra; Currently: Science Manager,Indian Ocean Tuna Commission,Seychelles

Janelle Eagle - After doing an Honours with Geoff Jones and myself, she worked as a research assistant for 2.5years, then started a PhD with its fieldwork based at One Tree Island. Upon completion of her PhD she worked as a casual research assistant while she published papers, had two children, and moved to Western Australia. She is currently working for the consultancy company RPS Australia/SE Asia as a managing scientist.

Bridie Allan - Undertook a Masters of Science and upgraded to a PhD at JCU where she looked at the impacts of ocean acidification and warming on the escape responses of coral reef fishes. She work briefly undertaking contract research until obtaining a post-doc position at the Institute of Marine Research in Bergen Norway. She currently has a lecturing position at the University of Otago, New Zealand.