Skipton Woolley is a Research Scientist at CSIRO Oceans & Atmosphere. Skipton’s research focuses on the development, implement and interpretation of statistical modelling approaches to quantitatively describe where multiple species are and what processes shape their distributions. Skipton’s research also focuses on understanding how marine biodiversity interacts with dynamic of human activities and pressures, to better protect and reduce the risk of biodiversity loss and manage biodiversity into the future. He’s work at CSIRO, has largely concentrated on integrating statistical methods and mathematical risk-based models to facilitate multiple species risk assessments for biodiversity across various sectors where human use and biodiversity interact.

Professional Work Experience

2019-Present Research Scientist, CSIRO Oceans and Atmospheres

2017-2019 Post-Doctoral Research Associate, CSIRO Oceans and Atmospheres

2016-2017 National Environmental Science Program Post-Doctoral Research Associate, Museum Victoria

Qualifications

2017 PhD in Quantitative Marine Ecology, The University of Melbourne

2011 MSc in Marine Ecology with High Distinction, The University of Melbourne

2005 BSc at The University of Melbourne

Relevant Key Publications

O’Hara, T.D., Hugall, A.F., Woolley, S.N.C, Bribiesca-Contreras, G. and Bax, N.J., 2019. Contrasting processes drive ophiuroid phylodiversity across shallow and deep seafloors. Nature.

Nicholson, E., Fulton, E.A., Brooks, T.M., Blanchard, R., Leadley, P., Metzger, J.P., Mokany, K., Stevenson, S., Wintle, B.A., Woolley, S.N.C and Barnes, M., 2018. Scenarios and models to support global conservation targets. Trends in Ecology & Evolution.

Woolley, S.N.C., Foster, S.D., O’Hara T.D Wintle B.A & Dunstan P.K (2017) Characterising uncertainty in Generalised Dissimilarity Models, Methods in Ecology and Evolution.

Woolley, S.N.C., Tittensor D.P., Dunstan P.K., Guillera-Arroita G., Lahoz-Monfort J.J., Wintle B.A., Worm B & O’Hara T.D (2016) Deep-sea diversity patterns shaped by energy availability, Nature. 533(7603), 393-396

McCallum, A.W., Woolley, S.N.C., Błażewicz–Paszkowycz, M., Browne, J., Gerken, S.,Kloser, R., Poore, G.C.B., Staples, D., Syme, A., Taylor, J., Walker–Smith, G., Williams, A & Wilson, R.S. (2015) Productivity enhances benthic species richness along an oligotrophic Indian Ocean continental margin. Global Ecology and Biogeography.24, 462–471.

Woolley, S.N.C., McCallum, A.W., Wilson, R., O’Hara, T.D & Dunstan, P.K. (2013) Fathom out: Biogeographical subdivision across the Western Australian continental margin – a multispecies modelling approach. Diversity and Distributions, 19, 1506–1517.