Category Archives: Uncategorized

It is my pleasure to let you know that Erika Zaid’s PhD dissertation, “To sleep or not to sleep: can mating dasyurids provide insight into the evolution and function of sleep?” was passed with minor amendment. She will have her PhD conferred in December. Erika moved from Italy to Melbourne in 2016 with one veryContinue reading “Introducing Doctor Erika Zaid, PhD”

Dear Sleep Friends, We are (over)due for a Year-end Re-cap on the successes of the Group in 2023 with a hint of what’s-to-come in 2024. I realise the temptation is strong to scroll this long post, searching for gems. Resist! Gems abound, and there is much to learn in this exercise of excellence on display.Continue reading “RE:view 2023”

Dear friends, These are the moments that matter most. It is my pleasure to announce that Shauni Omond’s PhD entitled, “Characteristics and mechanisms of sleep in the free-living platyhelminth flatworm” was passed following peer-review without the need for any amendments. Incredible! Shauni is well known in our School of Agriculture, Biomedicine & Environment. She servedContinue reading “Introducing Doctor Shauni Omond, PhD”

Earlier this month, we were joined in Melbourne by Sophia Lee: A new Honours student from California. Bristling with potential and enthusiasm, Sophia will conduct research into the significance of rest in fiddler rays. Based (mostly) at the Queenscliff Marine Research Station, she will conduct behavioral assays on captive rays to determine when they areContinue reading “Welcome Sophia Lee!”

The end of 2022 is nigh – an appropriate time to reflect upon the successes achieved and a glimpse of more to come in 2023. Firstly, Mr Robin Johnsson became Dr Robin Johnsson after the sterling review of his dissertation entitled, “Cognition and sleep in Australian magpies”. Soon afterwards, Robin relocated to the USA toContinue reading “2022 Anno Domini”

Put down what you are doing. Grab a tissue. Settle in. We’ve all known this bittersweet day would arrive. It has and I should explain. On Tuesday, July 27th, 2017 I received a Swedishly-succinct e-mail from a stranger: “Hello Dr. Lesku and Prof. Roth, I am writing to apply for the open Phd position inContinue reading “Introducing Doctor Robin Johnsson, PhD, MSc”

Is today the day we find out about the five accomplishments of the Sleep Ecophysiology Group to unfold in just the last ten days? … … Yes, it is. And so, with great admiration and pride, I introduce: 1. Omond SET, Hale MW and Lesku JA. 2022. Neurotransmitters of sleep and wakefulness in flatworms. SleepContinue reading “Your Series of Successes!”

We find ourselves on the cusp of 2022. As in years past, Australia remains a world leader in greeting the New Year earlier than most nations, owing to our unique combination of eagerness, earnestness, our vigour and vim (and also to rotational advantages afforded by our geographical placement). These traits, exhibited wholly by Australia, isContinue reading “The End of the Beginning”

I should preface my latest post with recognition that I had intended to be a more regular blogger. Despite the good intention, I haven’t updated the world on our successes since last March. Where did the year go? Twenty-twenty was an absolute blur: Australian bushfires and floods, leading into the ongoing pandemic that caused aContinue reading “Breaking the One-year Silence, again”