Dr Bill Ellis
Dr

Bill Ellis

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Background

Dr Bill Ellis is an ecological researcher based in the School of The Environment. He gained a BSc with honours in Zoology at The Australian National University and holds a Master of Environmental Law from the same institution. Bill graduated with a PhD in Zoology from The University of Queensland in 1998 and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at San Diego Zoo's Centre for Research on Endangered Species in 2011.

Availability

Dr Bill Ellis is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Environmental Sciences Other biological sciences Zoology

Qualifications

  • Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), Australian National University
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
  • Masters (Research) of Law, Australian National University

Research interests

  • Koala ecology

    research into the biology of koalas, their conservation and management

Research impacts

My research addresses the ecological dilemmas faced by koalas and land managers attending to their requirements, from issues of competing habitat utilisation to climate variability and resource extraction. I am investigating mechanisms of sexual selection and regulators of population dynamics among koala populations across Queensland. As a result, I have direct contact with and support land managers who desire an understanding of the key attributes that feed into a sustainable ecosystem for the koala. As a soft - money researcher, my research is often applied and supplies knowledge that transfers into conservation and management decision making, through the application of local knowledge rather than theoretical propositions.

Search Professor Bill Ellis’s works on UQ eSpace

96 works between 1990 and 2025
All (96) Journal Article (69) Book Chapter (3) Conference Publication (21) Book (1) Other Outputs (2)

21 - 40 of 96 works

2018

Journal Article

Assessing the significance of endemic disease in conservationkoalas, chlamydia, and koala retrovirus as a case study

McCallum, Hamish, Kerlin, Douglas H., Ellis, William and Carrick, Frank (2018). Assessing the significance of endemic disease in conservationkoalas, chlamydia, and koala retrovirus as a case study. Conservation Letters, 11 (4) e12425, e12425. doi: 10.1111/conl.12425

Assessing the significance of endemic disease in conservationkoalas, chlamydia, and koala retrovirus as a case study

2018

Journal Article

Development and application of two multiplex real-time PCR assays for detection and speciation of bacterial pathogens in the koala

Hulse, Lyndal S., Hickey, Danica, Mitchell, Jessica M., Beagley, Kenneth W., Ellis, William and Johnston, Stephen D. (2018). Development and application of two multiplex real-time PCR assays for detection and speciation of bacterial pathogens in the koala. Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation, 30 (4), 1040638718770490-529. doi: 10.1177/1040638718770490

Development and application of two multiplex real-time PCR assays for detection and speciation of bacterial pathogens in the koala

2018

Journal Article

Is disease a major causal factor in declines? An Evidence Framework and case study on koala chlamydiosis

Grogan, Laura F., Peel, Alison J., Kerlin, Douglas, Ellis, William, Jones, Darryl, Hero, Jean-Marc and McCallum, Hamish (2018). Is disease a major causal factor in declines? An Evidence Framework and case study on koala chlamydiosis. Biological Conservation, 221, 334-344. doi: 10.1016/j.biocon.2018.03.030

Is disease a major causal factor in declines? An Evidence Framework and case study on koala chlamydiosis

2017

Journal Article

Current trends and future directions in koala chlamydial disease research

Grogan, Laura F., Ellis, William, Jones, Darryl, Hero, Jean-Marc, Kerlin, Douglas H. and McCallum, Hamish (2017). Current trends and future directions in koala chlamydial disease research. Biological Conservation, 215, 179-188. doi: 10.1016/j.biocon.2017.09.001

Current trends and future directions in koala chlamydial disease research

2017

Journal Article

Do koalas really get the blues? Critique of 'Aversive behaviour by koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) during the course of a music festival in northern New South Wales, Australia'

Fitzgibbon, Sean I. , Gillett, Amber K. , Barth, Ben J. , Taylor, Brendan and Ellis, William A. (2017). Do koalas really get the blues? Critique of 'Aversive behaviour by koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) during the course of a music festival in northern New South Wales, Australia'. Australian Mammalogy, 39 (1), 108-112. doi: 10.1071/AM16016

Do koalas really get the blues? Critique of 'Aversive behaviour by koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) during the course of a music festival in northern New South Wales, Australia'

2016

Journal Article

Daylight saving time can decrease the frequency of wildlife-vehicle collisions

Ellis, William A., FitzGibbon, Sean I., Barth, Benjamin J., Niehaus, Amanda C., David, Gwendolyn K., Taylor, Brendan D., Matsushige, Helena, Melzer, Alistair, Bercovitch, Fred B., Carrick, Frank, Jones, Darryl N., Dexter, Cathryn, Gillett, Amber, Predavec, Martin, Lunney, Dan and Wilson, Robbie S. (2016). Daylight saving time can decrease the frequency of wildlife-vehicle collisions. Biology Letters, 12 (11). doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2016.0632

Daylight saving time can decrease the frequency of wildlife-vehicle collisions

2016

Journal Article

Surgical implantation of temperature-sensitive transmitters and data-loggers to record body temperature in koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus)

Adam, D., Johnston, S. D., Beard, L., Nicholson, V., Lisle, A., Gaughan, J., Larkin, R., Theilemann, P., Mckinnon, A. and Ellis, W. (2016). Surgical implantation of temperature-sensitive transmitters and data-loggers to record body temperature in koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). Australian Veterinary Journal, 94 (1-2), 42-47. doi: 10.1111/avj.12393

Surgical implantation of temperature-sensitive transmitters and data-loggers to record body temperature in koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus)

2015

Journal Article

Conserving koalas: a review of the contrasting regional trends, outlooks and policy challenges

McAlpine, Clive, Lunney, Daniel, Melzer, Alistair, Menkhorst, Peter, Phillips, Stephen, Phalen, David, Ellis, William, Foley, William, Baxter, Greg, de Villiers, Deidre, Kavanagh, Rodney, Adams-Hosking, Christine, Todd, Charles, Whisson, Desley, Molsher, Robyn, Walter, Michele, Lawler, Ivan and Close, Robert (2015). Conserving koalas: a review of the contrasting regional trends, outlooks and policy challenges. Biological Conservation, 192, 226-236. doi: 10.1016/j.biocon.2015.09.020

Conserving koalas: a review of the contrasting regional trends, outlooks and policy challenges

2015

Journal Article

Genome-wide SNP loci reveal novel insights into koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) population variability across its range

Kjeldsen, Shannon R., Zenger, Kyall R., Leigh, Kellie, Ellis, William, Tobey, Jenifer, Phalen, David, Melzer, Alistair, FitzGibbon, Sean and Raadsma, Herman W. (2015). Genome-wide SNP loci reveal novel insights into koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) population variability across its range. Conservation Genetics, 17 (2), 337-353. doi: 10.1007/s10592-015-0784-3

Genome-wide SNP loci reveal novel insights into koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) population variability across its range

2015

Journal Article

Cameras, competition and creativity: assessing 1st year ecology in the field

Kuchel, Louise, Wilson, Robbie S. and Ellis, William H. (2015). Cameras, competition and creativity: assessing 1st year ecology in the field. International Journal of Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education, 23 (2), 34-45.

Cameras, competition and creativity: assessing 1st year ecology in the field

2015

Book Chapter

Health and disease

Barnes, Tamsin S., Palmieri, Chiara, Blyde, David and Ellis, William (2015). Health and disease. Marsupials and monotremes: nature's enigmatic mammals. (pp. 315-358) edited by Athol Klieve, Lindsay Hogan, Stephen Johnston and Peter Murray. New York, United States: Nova Science.

Health and disease

2014

Journal Article

A 5-year Chlamydia vaccination programme could reverse disease-related koala population decline: predictions from a mathematical model using field data

Craig, Andrew P., Hanger, Jon, Loader, Jo, Ellis, William A. H., Callaghan, John, Dexter, Cathryn, Jones, Darryl, Beagley, Kenneth W., Timms, Peter and Wilson, David P. (2014). A 5-year Chlamydia vaccination programme could reverse disease-related koala population decline: predictions from a mathematical model using field data. Vaccine, 32 (33), 4163-4170. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2014.05.049

A 5-year Chlamydia vaccination programme could reverse disease-related koala population decline: predictions from a mathematical model using field data

2014

Journal Article

Erratum: Fat-soluble vitamin and mineral comparisons between zoobased and free-ranging koalas (Phascolarctoscinereus) (Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine (2014) 44:4 (1079-1082))

Schmidt, Debra A., Pye, Geoffrey W., Dipl, A. C.Z.M., Hamlin-Andrus, Chris C., Ellis, William A., Bercovitch, Fred B., Ellersieck, Mark R., Chen, Tai C. and Holick, Michael F. (2014). Erratum: Fat-soluble vitamin and mineral comparisons between zoobased and free-ranging koalas (Phascolarctoscinereus) (Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine (2014) 44:4 (1079-1082)). Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 45 (2), 466-466. doi: 10.1638/1042-7260-45.2.466

Erratum: Fat-soluble vitamin and mineral comparisons between zoobased and free-ranging koalas (Phascolarctoscinereus) (Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine (2014) 44:4 (1079-1082))

2014

Journal Article

Faecal particle size and tooth wear of the koala (Phascolartcos cinereus)

Ellis, William, Attard, Rachel, Johnston, Stephen, Theileman, Peter, McKinnon, Allan and Booth, David (2014). Faecal particle size and tooth wear of the koala (Phascolartcos cinereus). Australian Mammalogy, Online Early (1), 1-5. doi: 10.1071/AM13033

Faecal particle size and tooth wear of the koala (Phascolartcos cinereus)

2014

Journal Article

Testing the regional genetic representativeness of captive koala populations in South-East Queensland

Seddon, Jennifer M., Lee, Kristen E., Johnston, Stephen D., Nicolson, Vere N., Pyne, Michael, Carrick, Frank N. and Ellis, William A. H. (2014). Testing the regional genetic representativeness of captive koala populations in South-East Queensland. Wildlife Research, 41 (4), 277-286. doi: 10.1071/WR13103

Testing the regional genetic representativeness of captive koala populations in South-East Queensland

2013

Journal Article

Genetic diversity of Chlamydia pecorum strains in wild koala locations across Australia and the implications for a recombinant C. pecorum major outer membrane protein based vaccine

Kollipara, Avinash, Polkinghorne, Adam, Wan, Charles, Kanyoka, Pride, Hanger, Jon, Loader, Joanne, Callaghan, John, Bell, Alicia, Ellis, William, Fitzgibbon, Sean, Melzer, Alistar, Beagley, Kenneth and Timms, Peter (2013). Genetic diversity of Chlamydia pecorum strains in wild koala locations across Australia and the implications for a recombinant C. pecorum major outer membrane protein based vaccine. Veterinary Microbiology, 167 (3-4), 513-522. doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2013.08.009

Genetic diversity of Chlamydia pecorum strains in wild koala locations across Australia and the implications for a recombinant C. pecorum major outer membrane protein based vaccine

2013

Journal Article

Anthropogenic changes to the landscape resulted in colonization of koalas in north-east New South Wales, Australia

Lee, Kristen E., Ellis, William A.H., Carrick, Frank N., Corley, Sean W., Johnston, Stephen D., Baverstock, Peter R., Nock, Catherine J., Rowe, Kevin C. and Seddon, Jennifer M. (2013). Anthropogenic changes to the landscape resulted in colonization of koalas in north-east New South Wales, Australia. Austral Ecology, 38 (3), 355-363. doi: 10.1111/j.1442-9993.2012.02414.x

Anthropogenic changes to the landscape resulted in colonization of koalas in north-east New South Wales, Australia

2013

Journal Article

The success of GPS collar deployments on mammals in Australia

Matthews, Alison, Ruykys, Laura, Ellis, Bill, FitzGibbon, Sean, Lunney, Daniel, Crowther, Mathew S., Glen, Alistair S., Purcell, Brad, Moseby, Katherine, Stott, Jenny, Fletcher, Don, Wimpenny, Claire, Allen, Benjamin L., Van Bommel, Linda, Roberts, Michael, Davies, Nicole, Green, Ken, Newsome, Thomas, Ballard, Guy, Fleming, Peter, Dickman, Christopher R., Eberhart, Achim, Troy, Shannon, Mcmahon, Clive and Wiggins, Natasha (2013). The success of GPS collar deployments on mammals in Australia. Australian Mammalogy, 35 (1), 65-83. doi: 10.1071/AM12021

The success of GPS collar deployments on mammals in Australia

2013

Conference Publication

Overview of Koala Research Centre study sites

Melzer, Alistair, Ellis, William, FitzGibbon, Sean and Carrick, Frank (2013). Overview of Koala Research Centre study sites. Conserving Central Queensland's Koalas Workshop, Rockhampton, QLD, Australia, 1–3 February 2012. Rockhampton, QLD, Australia: Koala Research Centre of Central Queensland.

Overview of Koala Research Centre study sites

2013

Journal Article

Serum vitamin D levels in free-ranging koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus)

Pye, Geoffrey W., Ellis, William, FitzGibbon, Sean, Opitz, Brian, Keener, Laura and Hollis, Bruce W. (2013). Serum vitamin D levels in free-ranging koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 44 (2), 480-483. doi: 10.1638/2012-0032R.1

Serum vitamin D levels in free-ranging koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus)

Current funding

  • 2023 - 2028
    In Situ Conservation of the Koala in Queensland
    San Diego Zoo
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2022
    In Situ Conservation of the Koala in Queensland
    San Diego Zoo
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2023
    Disease, dispersal and recovery of Brisbane's koalas
    Brisbane City Council
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2023
    Collection of koala samples in Queensland
    Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    Enhancing our ecological understanding of Sunshine Coast koala populations
    Sunshine Coast Regional Council
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2022
    In situ conservation of the koala in Queensland
    San Diego Zoo
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2020
    Bioacoustic Survey Technique for Queensland Koalas
    Community Sustainability Action Grant
    Open grant
  • 2017
    Reducing koala road-kill in central Queensland
    Hail Creek Coal
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2017
    Doonan-Verrierdale Koala Habitat Use
    Sunshine Coast Regional Council
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2017
    Witta-Reesville Koala Habitat Use
    Sunshine Coast Regional Council
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Koala Habitat Use Investigation
    Sunshine Coast Regional Council
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2019
    University of Queensland - Queensland Trust for Nature Partnership
    Queensland Trust for Nature
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2016
    Koala Conservation in Queensland
    San Diego Zoo
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    Stewartdale Koala Project
    Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2020
    Koala conservation in fragmented landscapes (Koala Ecology Group)
    Research Donation Generic
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    Establishment of rehabilitated koalas translocated to alternative suitable habitat
    Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2017
    Behavioural and physiological adaptations to heat in the koala
    Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2015
    Pathways of pathogen transmission in the koala
    Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2015
    Koala Research Program
    Powerlink Queensland (Government Entity)
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2014
    Examining faunal recolonisation of rehabilitated areas using remote monitoring devices on North Stradbroke Island
    Sibelco Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    Understanding the movement and behaviour of koalas on North Stradbroke Island
    Sibelco Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2011
    Conserving koalas in urban landscapes
    Redland City Council
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2013
    Koala Venture Program
    Rio Tinto Coal Australia Pty Limited
    Open grant

Availability

Dr Bill Ellis is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Available projects

  • Heat load and the koala

    This project examines the behaviour and physiology of koalas, in the context of extreme temperatures and changes in climate. We are investigating fine scale microclimatic influences on behavior, broad scale habitat requirements, and the mechanisms and physiology associated with the management of heat load in this species. The project revolves around hands on research with koalas in the field and laboratory in Queensland and skills in modeling heat balance for an arboreal vertebrate.

    The project includes the use of surgical techniques and field monitoring of koalas, so it requires field and laboratory capability and the ability to work in remote environments.

    This project has a PhD top up grant and has considerable technical assistance available. Short - term projects are available in the Brisbane region and longer - term projects in southern and central Queensland are also available.

  • Pathways of pathogen transfer in the koala

    We are investigating the social and spatial dimensions of pathogen transfer in koalas, combining pathogen detection and classification with research into host defense and susceptibility. Following a long-term study population on St Bees Island using state-of-the-art technology is allowing us to establish the social and spatial regulators of koala disease dynamics while revealing unique information on the ecology and biology of the koala.

    Students will have the opportunity to investigate disease transmission and host responses or investigate the drivers of social and spatial dynamics in this population, choosing a laboratory or field environment.

Supervision history

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Dr Bill Ellis directly for media enquiries about:

  • Breeding koalas
  • Evolutionary ecology
  • Habitat and koalas
  • Koala physiology
  • Koalas

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