Welcome to the Nabity Lab

​I am interested in how parasites interact with their hosts. Thus, work in the lab focuses on how parasite-host interactions evolved, the mechanisms that facilitate adaptation, and how we might use this information to manage ecologically and agriculturally significant organisms. I am also interested in helping to change the discipline by recruiting and supporting underrepresented groups in STEM. 
We have two main research themes in the lab:

  • Evolution of herbivory: Here we use comparative genomics and experimental manipulation of both ecologically and agriculturally significant interactions to understand how insects evolved to feed on plants, and how these plants reciprocally respond. Our systems and approaches vary, so take a look at previous projects covering conservation, biosecurity, and fundamental discovery:​ 
  • Resource tradeoffs: Here we try to understand the context that alters autotrophy (photosynthesis) when resources become limiting or shifted during the act of parasitism. We use both insect and plant parasites under natural conditions to characterize phenotypic plasticity and growth-defense tradeoffs. ​​
OPPORTUNITIES
If you are interested in pursuing a MS or PhD at the UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE, please let me know.
There are opportunities to gain skills in bioinformatics, work on existing systems, and initiate new projects based on select flora and insect fauna of Australia. Thank you for your interest!​
PhD Students: I am especially keen to take on individuals with molecular or bioinformatics experience during their MS. Before seeking to apply for a PhD, please consider the coursework and training you have. A PhD at the University of Melbourne is ~4y with only research and no subject requirements. Your training will largely be through mentorship and self guided. If you lack the appropriate background in ecological theory, genetics, and genomics, consider pursuing a MSc first. See here for more information.
Honors and MS Students: If you are a UniMelb student pursuing an Honors or MS Degree, or an international scholar interesting in gaining MSc training, here are some of the lab projects that can be developed:
  • Host specialization and biogeography of Australian insect herbivores
  • Context dependency of and host utilization by Australian hemiparasites
  • Genomic ecology of host-parasite interactions including managed and natural species
  • Ecophysiology of plants and insects
  • Mechanisms of host-plant resistance
an artistic interpretation of the lab's research, copyright Robert Mitchell, chemical ecologist extraordinaire.
Apple orchards in spring can be quite peaceful.
The molecular landscape of galling herbivores is complex, but what drives this phenotype and how extended is it?