Dr. Barbara Cook

Biography

Barbara Cook has extensive experience in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of river and wetland biological biodiversity data in Western Australia, particularly in the South Coast and South West Natural Resource Management regions. She has published over 100 papers, book chapters, reports, and conference presentations on various aspects of ecology, river biology, genetics, and in-stream fauna. Her current research projects examine the ecological character of Western Australia’s waterways and wetlands, along with the ecological values of South Coast rivers in partnership with the Western Australia Department of Water. She has specialized in systematics, biogeography, and selected components of biodiversity, focusing on freshwater ecosystems and their inhabitants, including crayfish and fish. Academic responsibilities include research project design, management, and undergraduate teaching related to aquatic ecology, biodiversity science, and restoration ecology. She is responsible for coordinating new undergraduate programs and supervising postgraduate students.

Research Interests