Rate My Professor Melissa Thomas

Associate Professor Melissa Thomas serves as Deputy Director of the Centre for Biosecurity and One Health within the Harry Butler Institute at Murdoch University. Her research specializes in biosecurity science and invasive species ecology, focusing on the detection, management, and prevention of invasive pests, particularly in island ecosystems and through advanced technologies. She is a key contributor to national biosecurity efforts, including the development of AI-driven tools for recognizing invasive ants and molecular diagnostics for species like the highly invasive gecko Hemidactylus frenatus. Thomas is also a member of the Biosecurity Council of Western Australia, collaborating with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development on policy and practical applications.

Thomas has an extensive publication record exceeding 39 peer-reviewed outputs, with over 825 citations. Key publications include 'Safeguarding islands: A systematic review of global island biosecurity plans' in Global Ecology and Conservation (2026), 'A new molecular tool for detection of the highly invasive gecko, Hemidactylus frenatus' in PLOS ONE (2026), 'Nutritional geometry provides insight into the dual roles of natural and sexual selection in insect cuticular hydrocarbon evolution' in Functional Ecology (2025), 'Mitigating Biosecurity Risks on Islands: Preventative Measures' (2025), and 'Cost-effective portfolio allocation across quarantine, surveillance and eradication using info-gap theory' in Journal of Applied Ecology (2024). Earlier works explore insect ecology, such as 'Humidity stress and its consequences for male pre- and post-copulatory fitness traits in an insect' (2023) and 'Optimal post-border surveillance against invasive pests to protect a valuable nature reserve and island asset' (2023). She supervises PhD research on cost-effective invasive species management, road underpasses for feral cats, and pet/stray/feral cat management. Her contributions extend to projects on structural modifications to shipping containers for biosecurity and info-gap theory applications for eradication strategies, influencing post-border surveillance and island protection globally.