Publications
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22.   O'Reilly, W. and D. Starrs (in prep) The evolution of citizen science: from community engagement to informing policy

21.  Purcell, R., ... Starrs, D., ... and A. Lal (in review) Wastewater treatment plant surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 detects one case per 100,000 population 

20.   Windley, H., Starrs, D., Stalenberg, E., Rothman, J., Ganzhorn, J., and W. Foley (2022) Plant secondary metabolites and primate food choices: A meta-analysis and future directions. American Journal of Primatology doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.23397 LINK

19.   Vincent, K., Starrs, D., Wansink, V., Waters, N., and A. Lal (2022) Relationships between extreme flows and microbial contamination in inland recreational swimming areas. Journal of Water and Health 20(5):781-793

18. Adhikary, R., Mahfuj, Md, Starrs, D., Croke, B., Glass, K., and A. Lal (2021) Risk of human illness from recreational exposure to microbial pathogens in freshwater bodies: a systematic review. Exposure and Health doi: 10.1007/s12403-021-00447-z LINK

17.   Ebner, B.C., Donaldson, J.A., Marshall, J., Starrs, D., and A.B. Freeman (2021) Diving beetles strip eel to the bone. Food Webs e00188 LINK

16.   Ebner, B.C., Donaldson, J.A.,  Courtney, R., , Fitzpatrick, R., Starrs, D., Fletcher, C., and J. Seymour (2020) Averting danger under the bridge: video confirms adult Small-toothed moray tolerate salinity before and during tidal influx. Pacific Conservation Biology 26(2): 182-189 LINK

15.   Ebner, B.C., Donaldson, J.A., and D. Starrs (2020) Barred grunters shift objects to access benthic invertebrates in a crater lake. Food Webs 20: e00119 LINK

14.   Ebner, B.C., Donaldson, J.A., and D. Starrs (2020) Juvenile silver grunter Mesopristes argenteus shift benthic objects to access food. Journal of Fish Biology 95(3): 974-978  doi: 10.1111/jfb.14090 LINK

13.   Ebner, B., Donaldson, J., and D. Starrs (2018) Coal grunters shift benthic objects to access macroinvertebrates in a headwater stream. Pacific Conservation Biology 24(4): 417-418 doi: 10.1071/PC18042 LINK

12.    Ganzhorn, J.U., Arrigo-Nelson, S.J., Carrai, V., Chalise, M.K., Donati, G., Droescher, I., Eppley, T.M., Irwin, M.T., Koch, F., Koenig, A., Kowalewski, M.M., Mowry, C.B., Patel, E.R., Pichon, C., Ralison, J., Reisdorff, C., Simmen, B., Stalenberg, E., Starrs, D.,  Terboven, J., Wright, P.C., and W.J. Foley (2017) The importance of protein in the leaf selection of folivorous primates. American Journal of Primatology 79: 1-13 doi: 10.1002/ajp.22550 LINK

11.    Starrs, T., Starrs, D., Lintermans, M., and C.J. Fulton (2017) Assessing upstream invasion risk in alien freshwater fishes based on intrinsic variations in swimming speed performance. Ecology of Freshwater Fish 26: 75-86 doi:  10.1111/eff.12256 LINK
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10.   Windley, H.R., Barron, M.C., Holland, E.P., Starrs, D., Ruscoe, W.A., and W.J. Foley (2016) Foliar nutritional quality explains patchy browsing by an invasive mammal. PLoS One 11(5): e0155216 doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0155216 LINK

9.     Starrs, D., Ebner, B.C., and C.J. Fulton (2016) All in the ears: Unlocking the early life history biology and spatial ecology of fishes. Biological Reviews 91: 86-105 doi: 10.1111/brv.12162 LINK

8.     Milner, R., Starrs, D., Hayes, G., and M. Evans (2015) Distribution and habitat preference of the Broad-toothed rat (Mastacomys fuscus) in the Australian Capital Territory, Australia. Australian Mammalogy 37: 125-131 doi: 10.1071/AM14031 LINK

7.     Starrs, D., Ebner, B.C., and C.J. Fulton (2015) Cease-fire: Minimal aggression among Murray River Crayfish feeding on patches of allochthonous material. Australian Journal of Zoology 63: 115-121 doi: 10.1071/ZO14081 LINK

6.     Ebner, B.C., Starrs, D., Morgan, D.L., Fulton, C.J., Donaldson, J.A., Doody, S., Cousins, S., Kennard, M., Butler, G., Beatty, S., Broadhurst, B., Lintermans, M., and C. Fletcher (2014) Emergence of field-based underwater video for understanding the ecology of freshwater fishes and crustaceans in Australia. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia 97: 287-296

5.     Starrs, D., Davis, J.T., Schlaefer, J., Ebner, B.C., Eggins, S.M., and C.J. Fulton (2014) Maternally transmitted isotopes and their effects on larval fish: a validation of dual isotopic marks within a meta-analysis context. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 71: 387-397 doi: 10.1139/cjfas-2013-0416 LINK

4.     Starrs, D., Ebner, B.C., Eggins, S.M., and C.J. Fulton (2014) Longevity in maternal transmission of isotopic marks in a tropical freshwater rainbowfish and the implications for offspring morphology. Marine and Freshwater Research 65: 400-408 doi: 10.1071/MF13150 LINK

3.     Starrs, D., Ebner, B.C., and C.J. Fulton (2013) Can back-calculation models unravel complex larval growth histories in a tropcial freshwater fish? Journal of Fish Biology 83: 96-110 doi: 10.1111/jfb.12152 LINK

2.     Fulton, C.J., Starrs, D., Ruibal, M.P., and B.C. Ebner (2012) Counting crayfish: active searching and baited cameras trump conventional hoop netting in detecting Euastacus armatus Endangered Species Research 19: 39-45 LINK

1.     Starrs, D., Ebner, B.C., Lintermans, M., and C.J. Fulton (2011) Using sprint swimming performance to predict upstream migration of the endangered Macquarie perch in a highly regulated river Fisheries Management and Ecology 18: 360-374 doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2400.2011.00788.x LINK

Technical reports

Malam, C., Booksmythe, I., and D. Starrs (2022) Getting fishy in the Naas River. National Parks Association ACT Bulletin 59(3): 14 LINK

O'Reilly, W., Brademann, A., Ferronato, B., Kellock, D., Lind, M., Hoefer, A-M., Starrs, D. and A. Cumming (2020) Catchment Health Indicator Program: Report Card 2019. Upper Murrumbidgee Waterwatch, Canberra

O'Reilly, W., Brademann, A., Ferronato, B., Kellock, D., Lind, M., and Starrs, D. (2019) Catchment Health Indicator Program: Report Card 2017/2018. Upper Murrumbidgee Waterwatch, Canberra

Milner, R., Sharp, S., Baines, G., Mikhailovich, N., and D. Starrs (2018) Molonglo Valley Vegetation Condition Monitoring Report 2013-2017. ACT Government, Canberra

O'Reilly, W., Barbosa, C., Starrs, D., Cusack, D., Vincent, K.,  Brademann, A., Lind, M., and D. Kellock (2017) Catchment Health Indicator Program: Report Card 2016/2017. Upper Murrumbidgee Waterwatch, Canberra

O'Reilly, W., Starrs, D., Cusack, D., Brademann, A., Lind, M., and D. Kellock (2016) Catchment Health Indicator Program: Report Card 2015/2016. Upper Murrumbidgee Waterwatch, Canberra. 

​Milner, R., Starrs, D., Hayes, G., and M. Evans (2016) Distribution and ecology of the Broad-toothed rat (Mastacomys fuscus) in the ACT. Conservation, Technical Report 35. Conservation Research,  ACT Government, Canberra

Starrs, D., and M. Lintermans (2016) Mulloon Creek baseline fish survey Autumn 2016. Final report to the Mulloon Institute. Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra.

Hoefer, A. M. and D. Starrs (2016) One pond fits all? Frogs as an indicator of urban wetland health. Final report to Upper Murrumbidgee Waterwatch. Ginninderra Catchment Group, Canberra. 

O'Reilly, W., Starrs, D., Cusack, D., Brademann, A., Lind, M., Kellock, D., and A. Cumming (2015) Catchment Health Indicator Program: Report Card 2014/2015. Upper Murrumbidgee Waterwatch, Canberra. 

O'Reilly, W., Starrs, D., Cusack, D., Brademann, A., Lind, M., and D. Kellock (2014) Catchment Health Indicator Program: Report Card 2013/2014. Upper Murrumbidgee Waterwatch, Canberra. LINK

Fulton, C., Starrs, D., and M. Ruibal (2009) Distribution, abundance and habitat use in montane populations of Murray River crayfish (Euastacus armatus). Report to the ACTEW Future Water Planning Program. Research School of Biology, Australian National University

Starrs, D., Fulton, C.J., and T. Starrs (2009) Swimming speed performance and migration potential of five freshwater fish species present in the ACT. Report to the ACTEWAGL Future Water Planning Program Research School of Biology, Australian National University

Lintermans, M., Thiem, J. D., Broadhurst, B. Ebner, B. C., Clear, R., Starrs, D., Frawley, K. and R.H. Norris (2008) Constructed homes for threatened fishes in the Cotter River catchment: Phase 1 report. Report to ACTEW Corporation. Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra.

Grants and awards
>$40,000 in grants and awards

2021

• EPSDD Director-General Excellence Award - Collaboration

2016

• Spatial Variation in Water Chemistry, ACT Government ($6,300)
• Best Presentation Award, Early and Mid Career Researcher Conference ($1,700)

2014

• Science and Innovation Award, Fisheries Research & Development Corporation ($18,750)

2012

• Student Research Grant, Wet Tropics Management Authority ($2,700)

• Joyce Vickery Scientific Research Fund, Linnean Society of New South Wales ($700)

•  ANU award for excellence in tutoring or demonstrating (nomination)

• John Glover Travel Award, Australian Society for Fish Biology ($240)

2011

• John Glover Travel Award, Australian Society for Fish Biology ($150)

• Australian Postgraduate Award Scholarship ($22,500 p.a.)

• Joyce Vickery Scientific Research Fund, Linnean Society of New South Wales ($1,000)

• Barry Jonassen Award, Australian Society for Fish Biology ($1,000)

2009

• John Glover Travel Award, Australian Society for Fish Biology ($150)

• Gilbert Whitley (Junior) runner-up, Australian Society for Fish Biology (Book Prize)

2008

• ACTEW Corporation Honours Scholarship ($7,500)

• Barry Jonassen Award, Australian Society for Fish Biology ($1,000)

Presentations

2020

• Australian Government Data Summit, Canberra
• 4th Cloudera Government Forum, Canberra
  

2019

• MODSIM 2019, Canberra​
• ANU Biology Society, Canberra​

2018

• eWater Conference, Canberra
• Australian Freshwater Sciences Society, Adelaide
• University of Canberra, Canberra
• University of the Third Age, Canberra
• ANU Secondary College, Canberra
• ​Senior Executives Water Group, Canberra

2017

• Tohoku Research Center, FFPRI, Morioka, Japan

• ANU Secondary College, Canberra
• ​Senior Executives Water Group, Canberra
• ​Canberra Institute of Technology, Canberra
• Friends of Jarramlee Pond, Canberra

​
2016

• Australasian Wildlife Management Society, Auckland, New Zealand
• Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra
• Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra
• Environment and Planning Forum, Canberra
• Upper Murrumbidgee Catchment Coordination Committee, Canberra
• Managers Advisory Group, Canberra
• Early and Mid Career Researcher Conference, Canberra

2015
​

• Australian Society for Fish Biology, Sydney
• Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand, Canberra
• Environment and Planning Directorate, ACT Government, Canberra

2014

• Field Naturalists Association of Canberra, Canberra
• West Australian Freshwater Fish Symposium, Perth
• Australian Society for Fish Biology/Australian Society for Limnology Congress, Darwin
• Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, Canberra
• Australian Society for Limnology/Australian Society for Fish Biology Seminar, Canberra
• PhD Exit Seminar, Canberra
• National Youth Science Forum, Canberra
• ANU Secondary College, Canberra

2013

• National Youth Science Forum, Canberra
• ANU Secondary College, Canberra

2012

• Australian Society for Fish Biology conference, Adelaide
• ANU Secondary College, Canberra
• National Youth Science Forum, Canberra
• ANU Research School of Biology student conference, Canberra

2011

• Australian Society for Fish Biology conference, Townsville
• ANU Secondary College, Canberra
• ANU Research School of Biology student conference, Canberra

2010

• Australian Society for Fish Biology conference, Melbourne
• ANU Secondary College, Canberra​
• CSIRO, Atherton
• ANU Research School of Biology student conference, Canberra

​
2009

• 8th Indo-Pacific Fish Conference, Fremantle

Teaching
Lecturing

• ANU Extension - Biodiversity
• BIOL2111 Australian Wildlife     

• BIOL3116 Marine Ecology 

Demonstrating

• BIOL1003 Evolution Ecology and Genetics 

• BIOL1004 Microbiology
• BIOL1008 Human Biology
• BIOL1009 Diversity of Life
• BIOL2102 Human Physiology
• BIOL2111 Australian Wildlife
• BIOL2131 Population Ecology
• BIOL3116 Marine Ecology
• BIOL3203 Histology and Advanced Microscopy

Education


2010-2014 - PhD, Research School of Biology, Australian National University
2008-2009 - BSc (Hons) Division of Botany and Zoology, Australian National University
2004-2008 - BSc/BEc Australian National University
2002-2003 - Lake Tuggeranong College, Canberra

Peer review
More details on Publons

• Aquaculture Environment Interactions
• ​Australian Journal of Zoology
• Biological Conservation
• Bulletin of Marine Science
• Coral Reefs
• ​Cybium
• Environmental Biology of Fishes
• Freshwater Science
• Hydrobiologia
• ICES Journal of Marine Science
• Journal of Evolutionary Biology
• Journal of Fish Biology (multiple)
• Marine Ecology Progress Series
• Marine and Freshwater Research (multiple)

• ​MDPI Water
• Vie et Millieu

Work history


2019-current - Senior Lecturer, ANU Extension, Australian National University
2017-current - Water Science, Monitoring and Modelling Manager, ACT Government, Canberra
2017-current - Freshwater Ecologist (self-employed)
2014-current - Visiting Fellow (part time), Ecology and Evolution, Australian National University
2014-2017- Sessional Academic, Evolution, Ecology and Genetics, Australian National University
2014-2017- Waterwatch Scientific Officer (part time), ACT Government, Canberra
2016-2016 - Freshwater Ecologist (part time), University of Canberra
​2009-2009 - Research Assistant, Australian National University
2008-2008 - Research Assistant, Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra
2007-2007 - Volunteer, Australian National Insect Collection, CSIRO
2006-2007 - Administration Assistant, Australian National University
2006-2007 - Process Worker, Goodman Fielder Pty Ltd

Professional affiliations


2018-current – Australian Freshwater Sciences Society
2009-current –  Australian Society for Fish Biology
2016-2017 – Australasian Wildlife Management Society
2010-2012 – Student Representative, Australian Society for Fish Biology Executive Council
2012-2013 – State Representative, Australian Society for Fish Biology Executive Council
2010-2012 – Student member, American Fisheries Society