Originally from São Paulo, Brazil, I developed a keen interest in South American reptiles from an early age. I am in the third year of my Ph.D. here at The University of Queensland, and my research is upon the ecology and conservation physiology of the endangered Mary River Turtle (Elusor macrurus), and I aim to reveal aspects of the turtles habitat usage across the various life stages. This project has been carried out in collaboration with a community group located around the Mary River (Tiaro & District Landcare Group). I hope that the results from my Ph.D. will help to conserve this elusive species.
Elusor macrurus is a bimodally respiring freshwater turtle endemic to the Mary River in Queensland. This species is generally found in well-oxygenated pools associated with riffle zones, and its breeding population has been subjected to major impacts over time. It grows up to over 40 cm in carapace length, and is tone of the largest Australian short-necked Chelids. E. macrurus is considered to be in imminent threat of extinction (IUCN, 2008) and is currently listed as endangered. It has a very limited range, being only found within the confines of the Mary River in Queensland, and therefore, changes to that habitat may result in their extinction from the wild. It is therefore, crucial to understand what their habitat requirements are at different life-stages. Surprisingly, there is limited data available on the spatial and temporal habitat exploration of E. macrurus. Thus, the main aim of this research is to investigate the relationship between habitat and nest-site selection of the Mary River turtle (Elusor macrurus).
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2006 - 2008 Masters of Physiological Science, Federal University of São Carlos - UFSCar, São Carlos/SP, Brazil. Thesis: Characterization of O2 chemoreceptors involved at the cardio-respiratory reflexes of trairão, Hoplias lacerdae (teleostei, Erythrinidae) in response to environmental hypoxia.
2002 - 2005 Bachelor in Biological Sciences (Hons). University of São Paulo State Júlio de Mesquita Filho - UNESP, Rio Claro/SP, Brazil. Thesis: Ecophysiology and thermoregulation in Boa constrictor amarali (Serpent, Boidae). Honours Thesis. Department of Zoology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo State Júlio de Mesquita Filho - UNESP, Rio Claro/SP, Brazil.
- Micheli-Campbell, M.A., Campbell, H.A., Cramp, R.L., Booth, D., Franklin, C.E. (2011). Staying cool, keeping strong: Incubation temperature affects performance in a freshwater turtle. Journal of Zoology 285(4): 266-273.
- Micheli-Campbell, M.A., Campbell, H.A., Kalinin, A.L., Rantin, F.T. (2009). The relationship between O2 chemoreceptors, cardio-respiratory reflex and hypoxia tolerance in the neotropical fish Hoplias lacerdae. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology 154 (2): 224-232.
- Micheli, M.A., Campbell, H.A. (2008). Autonomic control of heart rate exhibits diurnal shifts in a crocodilian. Amphibia-Reptilia 29: 567-571.
- Campbell, H.A., Micheli, M.A., Abe, A.S. (2008). Seasonal change in the distribution and physical condition of Caiman crocodilus yacare in the Paraguayan River Basin. Wildlife Research 35: 150-157.
- McKenzie, D.J., Campbell, H.A., Taylor, E.W., Micheli, M.A., Rantin, F.T., Abe, A.S. (2007). The autonomic control and functional significance of the changes in heart rate associated with air breathing in the jeju, Hoplerythrinus unitaeniatus. Journal of Experimental Biology 210: 4224 - 4232.
- Micheli-Campbell, M.A.; Booth, D.; Franklin, C.E. (2011). Effects of warmer than normal incubation temperature upon the behavioral function of the hatchling freshwater turtles. In: the 9th Annual Symposium on Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles: Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) and IUCN Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group, Orlando, Florida, U.S.A.
- Micheli-Campbell, M.A.; Booth, D.; Franklin, C.E. (2011). Predicting the impact of climate change upon a freshwater turtle. In: 2011 Annual Main Meeting of the Society for Experimental Biology, Glasgow, Scotland, U.K.
- Micheli-Campbell, M.A.; Booth, D.; Franklin, C.E. (2010). Staying cool, keeping strong: incubation temperature affects performance in a freshwater turtle. In: 27th Meeting of the Australian New Zealand Society for Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry, The Australian National University (ANU), Canberra, ACT, Australia.
- Micheli, M.A., Rantin, F.T., Kalinin, A.L. (2007). Characterization of chemoreceptor of O2 involved on the control of the cardio-respiratory reflex in trairão, Hoplias lacerdae (Teleostei, Erythrinidae), in response to the environmental hypoxia. In: IV Post-Graduation Conference during the 7th Scientific Journey of UFSCar, 2007, São Carlos/SP, Brazil.
- Micheli, M.A., Andrade, D.V. (2006). Effects of feeding at the thermoregulation of jibóia, Boa constrictor amarali, (Serpent, Boidae). In: XXVI Brazilian Conference of Zoology, 2006, Londrina/PR, Brazil.
- Micheli, M.A., Andrade, D.V. (2004). Thermoregulation in Boa constrictor amarali. In: XVI Conference of Scientific Initiation of UNESP, 2004, Ilha Solteira/SP, Brazil.
- Micheli, M.A., Abe, A.S., Andrade, D.V. (2004). Seasonal variation of body temperature in rattlesnakes, Crotalus durissus terrificus (Serpent, Viperidae). In: XXV Brazilian Conference of Zoology, 2004, Brasília/D.F., Brazil
- Bovo, R.P., Micheli, M.A., Abe, A.S., Andrade, D.V. (2004). Seasonal variation of body temperature in jibóias, Boa constrictor amarali. In: XXV Brazilian Conference of Zoology, 2004, Brasília/D.F, Brazil.
- Best Student Presentation Award - Winner Best Biology Paper at the 9th Annual Symposium on Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles: Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) and IUCN Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group, Orlando, Florida, U.S.A.; Sponsored by: Chelonian Research Foundation. (2011).
- 3rd Prize in the student presentation at the 27th Meeting of the Australian New Zealand Society for Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry, at The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia (2010).
- IPRS - International Postgraduate Research Scholarship, Australian Government / The University of Queensland (2009 - 2012).
- Mary River Turtle Scholarship Program - Tiaro & District Landcare Group, QLD, Australia (2009-2011).
- FAPESP - Foundation of Support to the Research of São Paulo State, Brazil (2006 - 2008).
- CNPq - National Council of Scientific and Technologic Development, São Paulo State, Brazil (2003-2004).
- Scientific diver (Occupational diving). Certificate No: 08886 – 14th of July 2010; ADAS (Australian Diver Accreditation Scheme), qualification obtained at The University of Queensland.
- First aider: Senior First Aid and Apply Advanced Resuscitation (Oxygen administration/AED). Workplace Firstaid Training, 2009 - 2012.
- SRO DRV 001B Drive and Recover a 4-wheel drive vehicle (Australian off road driver training centre - 2009).