Dr Kylie Cairns

I am an early career researcher specialising in molecular biology and conservation genetics. My undergraduate (BSc) and postgraduate (PhD) training was completed at the University of New South Wales. Between 2012 and 2014, I managed a genetic testing service to estimate domestic dog introgression in dingoes, after being trained by the late A/Prof Alan Wilton. In 2019, I started working at the Centre for Ecosystem Science as a postdoctoral researcher. This has enabled me to start an independent research project continuing and developing my PhD studies on biogeographic variation in dingoes. Together with Professor Mike Letnic and A/Prof Mathew Crowther (USyd), partnering with the Australian Dingo Foundation, we are investigating the utility of next-generation SNP technology to estimate genetic admixture in dingoes. This data has driven research into important scientific questions concerning the origin, biogeography and conservation of dingoes but serves as a model for the process of genetic admixture. This work is driving changes in public conservation and management policy regarding dingoes across Australia with new genomic data demonstrating dingoes rarely interbreed with domestic dogs. Research is ongoing on this subject with projects focusing on whole genomes and genome-wide genotyping of samples collected across Australia. 

New research in the emerging field of environmental DNA (eDNA) uses metabarcoding of predator scats to undertake biodiversity monitoring, assess predation risk for priority species and better understand the ecological profiles of native versus introduced predators in Australian ecosystems. A key part of this research involves partnering with Indigenous organisations and citizen scientists, combining western science with Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK). I have active projects in the Blue Mountains / Southern Highlands and Mid-North Coast of NSW.

I am actively involved in scientific communication, to disseminate the findings of research about dingoes to the public and stakeholders. I am a scientific advisor to the New Guinea Highland Wild Dog Foundation and Australian Dingo Foundation. I am also a board member of the the Paddy Pallin Foundation and serve as co-chair of the IUCN Canid Specialist Group 'Dingo Working Group'.