Simon Ho
As a computational evolutionary biologist, my research interests include molecular clocks, evolutionary rates, phylogenetic methods, calibration techniques, and ancient DNA.
Until 2010, I was an Australian Postdoctoral Fellow and Lecturer at the Centre for Macroevolution and Macroecology (Research School of Biology, Australian National University). Until mid-2007, I was a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, working under the auspices of Beth Shapiro and Peter Holland. I was an Associate Researcher at Balliol College during this time.
I completed my D.Phil. degree in mid-2006 at the University of Oxford under the supervision of Andrew Rambaut, Alan Cooper, Alexei Drummond, and Richard Fortey. I was a Commonwealth Scholar and EPA Cephalosporin Scholar at Linacre College throughout my doctorate. My thesis dealt with various aspects of rate estimation, including the performance of different methods in estimating rates and divergence times among different species, as well as the roles of adaptive and stochastic processes in driving patterns of evolutionary rate variation.
Curriculum Vitae
Appointments
| 2011- 2010- 2010 |
ARC QEII Research Fellow Senior Lecturer ARC Postdoctoral Fellow School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney |
| 2008-2010 2008-2010 |
Lecturer ARC Postdoctoral Fellow Research School of Biology, Australian National University |
| 2006-2007 |
Leverhulme Postdoctoral Researcher Department of Zoology, University of Oxford |
Academic Record
| 2006 |
D.Phil. (Zoology), University of Oxford Advisors: Andrew Rambaut, Alan Cooper, Richard Fortey, & Alexei Drummond |
| 2003 |
M.Sc. (Research), University of Sydney Advisors: Lars Jermiin & John Robinson |
| 2002 |
B.Sc. (Honours Class 1, University Medal), University of Sydney Supervisor: Lars Jermiin; Honours thesis: 100% |
Teaching
| 2010- |
University of Sydney Honours (committee member) Bioinformatics: Sequences & Genomes (BIOL5002) Scientific Research in Biology (BIOL4015) Bioinformatics & Genomics (BIOL3027) Molecular Biology & Genetics (MBLG2072) Concepts in Biology (Advanced) (BIOL1911) |
| 2008-2010 |
Australian National University Advanced Genetics & Bioinformatics (BIOL3157) Evolution of Biodiversity (BIOL2154) |
| 2005-2007 |
University of Oxford Evolution & Systematics (2nd Year Final Honours School) - Tutor (6 Colleges: Balliol, Christ Church, Exeter, Hertford, New, and St Hilda's) Statistics (Biology Honour Moderations) - Demonstrator |
| 2002-2003 |
University of Sydney Bioinformatics & Genomics (BIOL3027) - Demonstrator |
Scientific Output
Scientific Publications
- Peer-reviewed scientific papers: 68
- Average citations per paper: 47.4
- H-index: 26
- Complete list of publications
Presentations
Computer Programs
Grants and Awards
Research Grants
- ARC Discovery Project (QEII Research Fellowship), 2011-2015
- ARC Discovery Project (Australian Postdoctoral Fellowship), 2008-2010
Awards
- Early Career Award, Genetics Society of Australasia, 2011
University of Oxford
- Edward Penley Abraham Cephalosporin Scholarship, Linacre College, 2004-2006
- Domus Research Prize, Linacre College, 2004-2006
- Commonwealth Scholarship Research Grant, British Council, 2003-2006
- Commonwealth Scholarship, British Council, 2003-2006
University of Sydney
- AE and FAQ Stephens Scholarship, Australian Postgraduate Awards, 2003
- John H Elliot Memorial Prize for Best Thesis in Animal Biology, 2002
- Professor Spencer Smith-White Prize in Biology Honours, 2002
- GS Caird Scholarship in Zoology, 2001
- Haswell Prize in Biology, 2001
Professional Activities
Professional Services
- Editorial Board, Biology Letters (2011-)
- Editorial Board, Human Origins Research (2010-)
- Editorial Board, PLoS ONE (2010-)
- Editorial Board, Mitochondrial DNA (2008-)
- Reviewer, ~130 papers for 36 journals, including Nature, Science, and PNAS
- A “Top Referee” for Biology Letters in 2009
- Reviewer, Australian Research Council
University Services
- Research Committee, School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney (2011-)
- Honours Committee, School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney (2010-)
- Seminar co-organiser, School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney (2010-2011)
- Seminar co-organiser, School of Botany and Zoology, Australian National University (2009-2010)