Hamza Anwer
Email: sharkyboy_909(-at-)hotmail(-dot-)com
Before joining the I-DEEL lab as a PhD student, I worked with Shinichi and a few others from the lab at Garvan Institute as a research assistant. My main role was maintenance of zebrafish, as well as assisting various experimental procedures. My PhD aims to address various questions in evolutionary biology from phenotypic variation to the developmental origins of health and disease and will involve conducting systematic reviews of studies concerned with high fat diets; and experimental work involving dietary manipulation in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Outside of life as a scientist, I enjoy an active lifestyle consisting of mainly bodybuilding and rugby league.
Before joining the I-DEEL lab as a PhD student, I worked with Shinichi and a few others from the lab at Garvan Institute as a research assistant. My main role was maintenance of zebrafish, as well as assisting various experimental procedures. My PhD aims to address various questions in evolutionary biology from phenotypic variation to the developmental origins of health and disease and will involve conducting systematic reviews of studies concerned with high fat diets; and experimental work involving dietary manipulation in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Outside of life as a scientist, I enjoy an active lifestyle consisting of mainly bodybuilding and rugby league.
Past Research (Honours 2014)
Thesis title: Caudal luring in snakes: an exploration of associated traits in conjunction with a phylogenetic review
Research Synopsis: Caudal luring is a form of aggressive mimicry that occurs in snakes and involves distinct wriggling and/or twitching of the distal portion of the tail. The behaviour has been described but its origin remains unclear. We reviewed the literature to clarify the occurrence of caudal luring in snake lineages, and explore what traits are associated with this behaviour. We discovered that caudal luring occurs in several distinct lineages, and that it is strongly associated with deviating tail colour and ambush foraging. The finding that caudal luring is associated with these traits allowed us to make several inferences about the evolution of this remarkable trait and its occurrence in different taxa.
Current Research (PhD 2018-Present)
Project title: Obesogenic diets as a novel evolutionary stressor: the effects on phenotypic variation and its evolutionary implications
Project Synopsis: In a broad evolutionary sense, obesogenic diets are considered as a “novel environmental stressor”. Food that was not readily available in the past is now supplied in great quantity due to changes in the global food system. Consequently, there is an environmental mismatch between the past and present in terms of food supply leading to adverse outcomes such as obesity. Under typical environmental conditions, observable phenotypic variation would be lower than that under a novel environment. Most individuals in the population will exhibit similar patterns of plasticity. In contrast, individuals diverge in their responses when faced with a novel environment. This mechanism is important as it can maintain and increase a population’s ability to adapt to future selection pressures.
Other Interests
Away from science, I enjoy an active lifestyle consisting mainly of bodybuilding, fitness and rugby league. I enjoy physically and mentally pushing my body to it’s limits to be the best I can be. At the same time, I endeavour to use what I learn from my training to not only help push myself in life but inspire others to do the same. In addition, I enjoy delving into whatever this world has to offer, from travelling to experience new destinations, to extreme activities to get the adrenaline going.
“Every champion was once a contender…” – Rocky Balboa
Thesis title: Caudal luring in snakes: an exploration of associated traits in conjunction with a phylogenetic review
Research Synopsis: Caudal luring is a form of aggressive mimicry that occurs in snakes and involves distinct wriggling and/or twitching of the distal portion of the tail. The behaviour has been described but its origin remains unclear. We reviewed the literature to clarify the occurrence of caudal luring in snake lineages, and explore what traits are associated with this behaviour. We discovered that caudal luring occurs in several distinct lineages, and that it is strongly associated with deviating tail colour and ambush foraging. The finding that caudal luring is associated with these traits allowed us to make several inferences about the evolution of this remarkable trait and its occurrence in different taxa.
Current Research (PhD 2018-Present)
Project title: Obesogenic diets as a novel evolutionary stressor: the effects on phenotypic variation and its evolutionary implications
Project Synopsis: In a broad evolutionary sense, obesogenic diets are considered as a “novel environmental stressor”. Food that was not readily available in the past is now supplied in great quantity due to changes in the global food system. Consequently, there is an environmental mismatch between the past and present in terms of food supply leading to adverse outcomes such as obesity. Under typical environmental conditions, observable phenotypic variation would be lower than that under a novel environment. Most individuals in the population will exhibit similar patterns of plasticity. In contrast, individuals diverge in their responses when faced with a novel environment. This mechanism is important as it can maintain and increase a population’s ability to adapt to future selection pressures.
Other Interests
Away from science, I enjoy an active lifestyle consisting mainly of bodybuilding, fitness and rugby league. I enjoy physically and mentally pushing my body to it’s limits to be the best I can be. At the same time, I endeavour to use what I learn from my training to not only help push myself in life but inspire others to do the same. In addition, I enjoy delving into whatever this world has to offer, from travelling to experience new destinations, to extreme activities to get the adrenaline going.
“Every champion was once a contender…” – Rocky Balboa