Matt is an ecologist based at the University of Melbourne Creswick Campus. His research is focused on how fire regimes affect the structure and function of ecosystems and the implications of this for plants and animals (but mostly animals). He is also interested in the interplay between disturbance and other ecological processes such as animal movement, predation, habitat use and species interactions.
He completed his PhD in 2014 on the effects of spatial variation in fire and vegetation stucture on ground-dwelling mammals. Since then, he has worked on various fire-related research projects with a heavy focus on partnering with land management agencies to predict the effects of fire management on biodiversity.
Matt is currently subject co-cordinator of Bushfire Planning and Management (FRST90017).
Post graduate student supervision is an important part of his work. He currently co-supervises three PhD students and has previously supervised seven coursework Masters students for their major research projects.