Dr Nicholas Joseph Matzke

Biography

I work in phylogenetic biogeography: the dispersal history of species around the globe over millions of years. I specialise in taking model-based inference techniques (Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian methods) from statistical phylogenetics and applying them to biogeographical problems. This often involves linking unusual datasets for improved inference (e.g. linking biogeography, paleogeography, and organismal traits and structures to more traditional DNA and fossil datasets). Recent papers focus on using statistical model comparison to learn the role that organismal traits play in the probability of long-distance dispersal events. My R package for biogeographical analysis is BioGeoBEARS.

I am also a leader in evolution education. I worked at the U.S. nonprofit National Center for Science Education during the 2005 Kitzmiller v. Dover trial. I also tracked the "evolution of antievolutionism" after Kitzmiller using phylogenetic analysis of the evolutionary history of creationist policies. This was published in Science magazine. It is an example of "phylomemetics", studying how texts and other human cultural products ("memes") evolve in part through Darwin's process of "descent with modification." The fact that the antievolutionists and climate change denialists often team up (see the Science article) has also led me to comment on climate change denialism (see my interview on Radio New Zealand (RNZ), December 2019).

I invite students to work with me on any topics related to these (the University of Auckland has rolling admissions, so postgraduate applications are accepted at any time during the year; see also UoA Summer Research Projects). I am also regularly involved in research collaborations, symposia at scientific meetings, and workshops on methods in phylogenetic biogeography.

For a graphical overview of some of my research areas, please see https://www.nickmatzke.net/ . I put my most active projects and updates on PhyloWiki.

Research Projects

Note: The below are projects for which I have/had formal position advertisements. However, for students in New Zealand (e.g. UoA Honours students, Masters, Ph.D.s, summer students), or students abroad who can self-fund, I am happy to chat if you are interested in working with me on any of the sorts of topics mentioned above. The University of Auckland also offers scholarships, some of which are available to international students (although usually very competitive).

(Position filled) Available July 2019: Funded PhD project: Improving model-based inference in phylogenetic biogeography. See also: FindAThesis: New models in phylogenetic biogeography. Regulations: University of Auckland Marsden Grant PhD Scholarship in Phylogenetic Biogeography

(Position filled) Phylogenetics of the bacterial flagellum. See listing at: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/study/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-types/undergraduate-scholarships/summer-research-scholarships/summer-research-projects/science/biological-sciences.html

See also at FindAThesis: The current research of Dr Nicholas Matzke

Research | Current

Revolutionising biogeography by adding extinction, fossils, organismal traits, and paleogeography in a computationally efficient way. Part of a funded Marsden grant and further proposals, this work aims to overcome the major limitations in current methods for inferring biogeographical history at phylogenetic timescales. Students who work in this area will get experience with phylogenetics, Maximum Likelihood/Bayesian inference, programming (in R, Julia, etc.), Geographic Information Systems, paleogeography modeling (GPlates, Paleobiology Database), etc. Position filled: University of Auckland Marsden Grant PhD Scholarship in Phylogenetic Biogeography

Reconstructing the evolution of the bacterial flagellum. The bacterial flagellum is a famous example of a complex molecular adaptation, and its evolutionary history has attracted public attention for that reason. This work is a collaboration between Matt Baker at UNSW (experimental evolution, ancestral protein reconstruction) and Matzke (bioinformatics, phylogenetics); students may work in these areas, or their interface.

Phylogenetics and Phylogenetic Comparative Methods (PCMs). Biology is vast, and many areas have yet to be addressed by modern inference methods; similarly, many modern inference methods used quite crude models with simple assumptions. Motivated students therefore are welcome to propose projects in these areas; Matzke’s interests include phylomemetics, carnivorous plants, evolution education, and evolution of complex adaptations.

Research history

• 2018-present: Senior Lecturer, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, New Zealand
• 2015-2018: DECRA Fellow (Discovery Early Career Researcher Award), Craig Moritz Lab, Division of Evolution, Ecology and Genetics, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
• 2013-2015: NIMBioS Postdoctoral Fellow in Mathematical Biology, National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis (NIMBioS, www.nimbios.org), University of Tennessee, Knoxville
• 2013: Ph.D., Department of Integrative Biology, University at California, Berkeley
• 2004-2007: Public Information Program Directory, National Center for Science Education, Berkeley, California (and a science advisor for the plaintiffs in the Kitzmiller v. Dover (2005) federal court case)
• 2003: M.A. Geography, University at California, Santa Barbara
• 1999: Research Technician, Pacific Northwest Research Station, United States Forest Service
• 1998: Double Bachelor of Science, Biology and Chemistry, Valparaiso University
• 1994-1998: Research Technician, McDonald-Dunn Research Forest, Oregon State University

Teaching | Current

Postgraduate supervision