School of Science Capabilities | Page 54

Biodiversity Heritage, Species
Discovery and Conservation of Threatened Taxa
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My research explores biodiversity as both natural heritage and a key to our future. By studying fireflies and other species through fieldwork, lab studies and historical collections, I aim to build robust taxonomy and species databases that inform conservation and sustainability efforts.
Dr Wan Faridah Akmal Jusoh wanf. ajusoh @ monash. edu
Senior Lecturer and Program Director( Honours)
Expertise
Expertise Public health Fireflies taxonomy and Education systematics Financial statistics Tropical ecology and
conservation Biodiversity digitisation
Achievement / Award The Explorers Club 50 Class of 2025( Guardian)( 2025) PVC’ s Commendations for Excellence in Research- Early Career Research( 2025) PVC’ s Commendations for Excellence in Education-
Programs that Enhance
Learning( 2024)
Through strategic collaborations, I study the systematics of fireflies and other bioluminescent beetles in Southeast Asia and the Australopacific region, integrating morphological, molecular, behavioural and ecological data to produce comprehensive taxonomic revisions.
I also focus on digitising biodiversity data from museum collections. By collaborating with historians and curators, I aim to make these collections more accessible and reconnect them with their countries of origin for research and conservation.
I collaborate with the International Union for Conservation of Nature Species
Survival Commission( IUCN SSC) Firefly Specialist Group to assess the conservation status of fireflies across the globe. Only four firefly species have so far been assessed, with additional species currently under review to guide regional conservation efforts.
What is your species ' story? I invite potential partners interested in collaborating with my research lab. Your involvement will significantly accelerate our efforts to understand biodiversity from the past, present and future
SCHOOL OF SCIENCE CAPABILITIES