Dr Fabio Cortesi - Flexible minds, changing seas: visual system plasticity in reef fishes and octopuses
Dr Fabio Cortesi
The University of Queensland
Bio:
I am an ARC Future Fellow and Senior Lecturer in marine biology and evolution at SENV, where, together with A/Prof Karen Cheney, I have been co-leading the Marine Sensory Ecology Group since 2023. My main interests lie in the forces, from molecule to environment, which shape natural biodiversity. Focusing on the evolution of visual systems in fishes and cephalopods, I am trying to understand how other animals perceive the world, how this contributes to the formation of colours and patterns and how this can lead to species diversity.
I received a PhD in Zoology, Summa Cum Laude, in 2014 from the University of Basel, Switzerland, studying the molecular and behavioural functions of colourful signals in coral reef fishes. After completing my remaining Swiss National Service duties, I moved to Australia in 2015 to start a short-term postdoctoral appointment at the then SBS. Upon winning prestigious postdoctoral Fellowships from the Swiss National Science Foundation and UQ, I transferred to QBI in early 2016, where I developed my leadership skills under the supervision of Emr. Professor Justin Marshall. In 2020, I received an ARC DECRA Fellowship, which enabled me to start my junior group under the mentorship of Emr. Prof. Marshall and A/Prof Karen Cheney.
About Seminar Series
The School of the Environment Seminar Series (a.k.a. SENVinars) — held in-person on campus and online via Zoom — invites national and international experts to present their current research outcomes and priorities for disciplinary areas aligned with our School.
Our presenters include current research academics, visiting researchers, collaborators from industry and government.
SENVinars promote the exchange of ideas, new collaborations and strengthen current partnerships. They are attended by our large and diverse community of academics, professional services staff, higher degree by research scholars, postgraduate research and Honours research students.
Questions? Please email - senv.gsa@uq.edu.au
