Emily started her research career as an undergraduate at Monash University (2010-2014), followed by Honours at the University of Auckland (2015), where she developed her interests in genetics and evolution. Her PhD at the University of Melbourne (2016-2020) applied cutting-edge genomics to investigate diversification, molecular evolution and extinction of the Australo-Papuan rodents, along the way 'resurrecting' the Gould's mouse from extinction. She then took up a postdoctoral fellowship at the Australian National University (2020-2024), where she continued her research on the genomics and evolution of Australian wildlife.
As of January 2025, Emily has returned to Monash University as a Group Leader and Lecturer, establishing the Evolutionary and Conservation Genomics Research Group in the School of Biological Sciences.

The Evolutionary and Conservation Genomics Group (aka Roycroft Lab) seeks to answer evolutionary and ecological questions, primarily using genomic approaches. We’re fascinated by questions about the evolutionary, ecological and demographic history of species, and the environments in which they live. A special focus of our research is the use of museum collections as a resource for understanding past genetic diversity, population decline and extinction, and translating this to inform ongoing conservation management of threatened and declining species. Our work focuses on the spectacular diversity of Australian biodiversity, especially mammals, reptiles and birds.

Potential PhD and Honours projects can be tailored to student interests, with possible themes including phylogenomics, biogeography, diversification, speciation, phylogeography, molecular evolution, comparative genomics, genome evolution and conservation.

If you are a motivated, high-achieving student who is interested in using genomics to answer evolutionary or conservation-related questions, feel free to send me an email telling me a bit about yourself, your research interests and any previous research experience. Please remember to attach your academic transcripts and CV.