Researcher biography

Elize has a broad interested in avian biology and conservation. Here at UQ, as an affiliated research with the Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, she is developing a comprehensive conservation action database for shorebirds along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway to support conservation strategies and inform effective management for these migratory species.

With a background in population and evolutionary genomics, Elize's research has explored how major drivers such as the captive trade, habitat fragmentation, and climate change shape avian species across diverse ecosystems, from the tropical forests of Southeast Asia to the icy landscapes of Antarctica. Through her current research in applied conservation, she leverages her genomic expertise to develop more targeted strategies for biodiversity preservation. Her aim is to bridge the gap between foundational genomic research and practical conservation strategies, addressing critical challenges in wildlife management and ecosystem sustainability.

Elize completed her BSc (Hons) at the National University of Singapore, where she studied the genomic impacts of the illegal songbird trade on local populations of the White-rumped Shama. Following this, she worked as a research assistant with the Avian Evolution Lab, focusing on the landscape and conservation genomics of birds, using Singapore as a case study. For her PhD at the University of Tasmania, Elize investigated how climate influences Antarctic seabirds, using genomic and modeling approaches to explore their responses to environmental change.