CV Wroe




Associate Professor
School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales

Conjoint Associate Professor
School of Engineering, University of Newcastle


Current Base - School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (BEES); UNSW; Kensington, NSW, Australia, 2052

BSc (Hons) UNSW, 1991
PhD (Palaeontology), Univ. NSW, 1999
Research Fellow Australian Museum, Sydney, 1999-2000
Research Fellow  Macleay Museum, University of Sydney, 1999-2000
U2000 Postdoctoral Fellow Univ. Sydney 2000-2005
QEII Research Fellow Univ. NSW 2006-2010
Senior Research Fellow, Univ. NSW 2011-2012
Conjoint Associate Professor, Univ. Newcastle 2012-Present

Contact details
Phone: 61 2 9385 3866 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            61 2 9385 3866      end_of_the_skype_highlighting (work); 0432349049 (mobile)
Email: s.wroe@unsw.edu.au         
Websites:
http://compbiomechblog.blogspot.com/
http://unsw.academia.edu/StephenWroe/

Overview

I am Director of the Computational Biomechanics Research Group - a dynamic and fast growing multidisciplinary team within the School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences at UNSW and the School of Engineering at the University of Newcastle and a founding member of both the Evolution of Earth & Life Systems Research Group and Evolution and Ecology Research Centre at UNSW.

My primary interest is in improving our understanding of relationships between shape and function in fossil and living vertebrates and invertebrates to more effectively address questions in the field of palaeobiology. Taxa currently studied by myself and members of my team include mammal-like reptiles, Mesozoic and Cainozoic mammals, birds, sharks, crocodiles, varanids and a range of invertebrates.

My research is strongly interdisciplinary and based on ongoing collaborations with palaeontologists, mechanical engineers, ecologists, evolutionary biologists, archaeologists, physical anthropologists, bioengineers, surgeons and phylogeneticists. I use computer based 3D biomechanical modelling, virtual reconstruction and shape analysis to predict and analyse behaviour in skulls, teeth and other biological structures in living and fossil species.

I maintain a very active interest in the study of fossil species and palaeo-environments as means to better understand extinction, particularly with respect to Pleistocene and Holocene extinctions of megafauna.

Quantitative measures of productivity and quality
The high quality and international impact of my research is demonstrated by my consistent publication of findings in the world’s best general science, biology, earth science and archaeological journals [Science, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA (3 papers), Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Series B (6 papers), and Earth-Science Reviews. I further consistently publish in the world’s most highly regarded journals in my specific fields of interest (palaeontology, biomechanics, ecology, quaternary science, evolution and archaeology). These include: Quaternary Science Reviews, Paleobiology, Paleontology, JVP , Evolution (2 papers), Ecology, Trends in Ecology and Evolution, Journal of Biomechanics (2 papers), and Journal of Archaeological Science.










h-index = 24

Total citations in peer-reviewed journals = 1339 

·               My citations per year have strongly and consistently increased from 2005; this trend is on track to continue with > 140 citations recorded within the first 7 months of 2012.

·          I have published 64 peer-reviewed journal articles. Of the 42 published since 2004 the majority (57%) are in A*ranked publications and 93% are in A* or A ranked journals (ERA 2010). By Excellence in Research Australia Journal Rankings (2010), A* are the top 5% of journals and A ranked journals are the next 15%.

·               I have driven the experimental design and write up for the majority of these papers as 1st, sole, or last author (14 as 1st or sole and 17 as last author). For most of the remainder (8) I have played a very significant role as 2nd author.

 Evidence of international research standing
  • Our recent paper detailing the remains of a late surviving archaic population or hybrid from the Pleistocene-Holocene transition of China in PLoS ONE has received >55,000 views since publication on 14th March 2012)
  • In 2011 results from my work on the cranial mechanics of bears including the gigantic fossil spp. Agriotherium africanum, ranked in the BBC News Top 100 list of Things We Didn’t Know In 2010; one of only two based on work by Australian scientists
  • Our research into the comparative biomechanics of different shark species was ranked among the Journal of Biomechanics “25 Hottest  Articles” for 2011 
  • In 2008 my work was given a dedicated two page spread in New Scientist. ‘Crash-tested skulls throw light on extinctions’ New Scientist, 2008 2651: 22-23.
  • In 2008 my computer modelling of white shark biomechanics, and  predictions of behaviour in its fossil relative Megalodon, was one of only two Australian-based science investigations which ranked among Discover magazine’s top 100 science findings for the year.
  • I received a Young Tall Poppies award in 2006 and am an Associate Member of the Australian Institute of Policy and Science.
  • In 2004 Scientific American selected and republished a 1999 article of mine as one its all-time 10 best features in the field of palaeontology; Wroe, S. (2004). Killer kangaroos and other murderous marsupials. Scientific American, Spec. Vol. 14: 48-55.


Invited addresses
I have been invited and externally funded to act as a guest speaker at seven international conferences in the last four years:

  • 1st Symposium on Bear Natural History (Guanajuato City Mexico, September, 2013)
  • 9th International Congress of Vertebrate Morphology (Punta del Este, Uraguay, July, 2010)
  • Virtual Anthropology meets Biomechanics Symposium (Univ. Vienna, Vienna, Austria, October 2010)
  • Craniofacial Biomechanics: in vivo to in silico  Special symposium of the  anatomical society of GB&I and Hull York Medical School York Medical Society, York, U.K., July 2009)
  • Mimics Medical  Innovations Awards (Vienna, Austria, August 2008)
  • Predator-Prey and Saber-Toothed Mammals Symposium (Idaho State University, USA, May, 2008)
  • Third Latino-American Congress on Vertebrate Paleontology (Neuquen, Argentina, September 2008)


International researchers, students & industry seek to join or collaborate with my group
Despite being less than 7 years in the making, the research team I have assembled (Computational Biomechanics Research Group - CBRG) is recognised as one of the world’s most innovative and productive in the rapidly expanding field of comparative biomechanics. Through the use of remote login procedures, I currently collaborate with or supervise international researchers and students from eight countries; the UK, USA, Canada, France, Italy, Argentina, India and Chile.

These researchers from a range of disciplines apply CBRG protocols for the assembly and analysis of high-resolution Finite Element Models via remote login procedures to CBRG computers held at UNSW and UoN to a broad and varied range of questions, primarily in, but not restricted to the palaeosciences.

Thus, international researchers have sought my input to address investigations ranging from analyses of form and function in giant extinct ‘Terror birds’ and feeding behaviour in extinct megaherbivores, to the safer treatment of facial fractures.

My success is manifest in the broad backgrounds of students and postdocs who have sought my supervision/co-supervision. E.g. In addition to students in palaeontology and palaeobiology, I currently supervise a Swiss National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow working on changes in bone strain over ontogeny, an Endeavor postdoc with expertise in the evolution of bipedalism in humans, and an orthopaedic surgeon seeking improved protocols for the treatment of facial fractures.

Three promising Early Career Researchers have applied for postdoctoral positions (DECRAs) through UNSW this year requesting me as their mentor.

Funding Bodies on which I am a committee member or for whom I act as a reviewer/assessor
  • Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (UK) – reviewer
  • National Science Foundation (USA) – reviewer
  • The Leakey Foundation (USA) - reviewer
  • Natural Environment Research Council (UK) - reviewer
  • Australian Research Council – International Reader
  • Evolution and Ecology Research Centre (UNSW) – reviewer and committee member

Review of scholarly manuscripts
I am regularly invited to act as a reviewer on articles submitted to top scholarly journals, including:
  • Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (USA)
  • Evolution
  • American Naturalist
  • Proceedings of the Royal Society of London (Series B)
  • Biology Letters
  • American Journal of Physical Anthropology
  • Biological Reviews
  • Journal of Archaeological Science


International reporting of my research
In addition to refereed articles, my findings have been widely communicated internationally through outlets, including Nature News, Science News, BBC News Online, National Geographic News, Discover and Times Online. This amounts to 2 to 3 major international news stories every year since 2003, with 4 in 2010 3 in 2011, and one thus far in 2012, clearly demonstrating that my work is consistently of broad international interest to scientists across disciplines, as well as to the general public. Examples below and at http://compbiomechblog.blogspot.com/).

  • Red Deer Cave People may be new species of human The Guardian 14th March 2012 – article in PLoS ONE
  • Ancient bear had strongest bite BBC Online News 4th November 2011 – article in J. Zool.
  • How the Komodo dragon can kill a buffalo Daily Mail 24th October 2011 – article in PLoS ONE
  • Tasmanian tiger's jaws too weak to kill sheep BBC online News 1st September 2011 - article in J Zool
  • Who are you calling weak – human jaws surprisingly efficient BBC Online News 23rd June 2010 – article in Proc R Soc B
  • Marsupial carnivores as diverse as placentals BBC Online News 25th August 2010 – article in Proc R Soc B
  • Who are you calling weak‘ DISCOVER 21st June 2010 First comparative 3D Finite Element analysis of fossil and living hominid crania – originally published in Proc R Soc B.
  • Venom is Komodo dragon's lethal weapon’ Times Online 20th May 2009 Revealed predatory technique of Komodo dragon based on both toxicology and FEA analysis and predictions of behavior in the gigantic extinct ‘Megalania” – originally published in PNAS
  • ‘What’s my bite?’ 2007. Science, 317: 877: News article in Science on my modelling hominid crania – originally published in J Anat
  • ‘Sabre-toothed cats were weak in the jaw’ Nature News (1st Oct 2007): Highlighted revelations of sabretooth feeding behaviour from FE modelling of skulls – originally published in PNAS.
  • ‘Dingo had measure of Tassie tiger’ BBC Online News, 7th Sept 2007 Reported my findings on Finite Element based comparison of the Tasmanian Tiger and Dingo – originally published in Proc. R. Soc. B.
  • ‘No Lion: Marsupials Have Fiercest Bite’ National Geographic News 5th Apr 2005 – A feature on a comparative analysis of bite force in a wide range of living and extinct predators – based on a paper I published in Proc. R. Soc. B.
  • ‘Past predators not found wanting’ BBC News Online (10th May 2004): Reported my work on the biogeography of Australia’s marsupial carnivores over deep time – original article published in Proc. R. Soc. B.
  • ‘Guinea-zilla versus Wombat-ra’ Nature News (19th Sept 2003): Featured my work on body mass estimation in megafauna- originally published in Proc. R. Soc. B.


My research has featured in twelve international documentaries (including three currently in production) by National Geographic and Discovery Channels. Recent examples include: 1), Death of the Megabeasts (Discovery); 2), Superpredators – Sabretooth (Nat Geo); 3), Megabeasts: Hyaenodon (Nat Geo); 4), T. rex of the Deep (Discovery); and 5), Monsters Resurrected: The Great Ripper (Discovery); 6), Extinct: Superpredator (Nat Geo); 7) Prehistoric Predators: Terror bird (Nat Geo); 8) What killed Australia's Megabeasts? (SBS, France 5, Nat Geo). My work has appeared three times on the ABC Catalyst series to date - most recently in March 2011.


Evidence of capacity to build collaborations across industry, research institutions and disciplines
My ability to build and maintain effective collaborations with highly regarded researchers and industry across a wide range of sciences (Earth, Biological, Engineering, Medical), institutions and countries is clearly evidenced in my track record. In addition to the broad research backgrounds encompassed by members of my team these collaborators include specialist researchers in Palaeontology, Terrestrial Ecology, Mechanical Engineering and Materials Sciences, Archaeology, Toxicology, Physical Anthropology, Marine Ecology, Electron Microscopy, Maxillo-facial Surgery, Dental and Safety Science. Analysis of my record (Scopus) shows that I have published with 134 other researchers from over 40 different institutions in 17 countries.


Current collaborations include:
  • Professor Larry Witmer (Ohio State University) is a leading expert in vertebrate palaeontology and biomechanics; past collaboration includes investigation into avian cranial mechanics and kinesis (PLoS ONE); ongoing collaboration includes analyses into form-function relationships in terror birds and sabre-toothed mammalian carnivores.
  • Professor Zhe-Xi Luo (Carnegie Museum of Natural History). Prof. Luo is, without question, one of the world’s foremost experts on Mesozoic mammals and evolution of the mammalian middle ear. We are involved in collaboration on the reptile mammal jaw transition. A large ARC grant is currently under consideration.
  • Dr Todd Rae (University of Roehampton UK) is an authority on primate craniofacial morphology. We currently collaborate on analyses of Neanderthal craniomandibular form and function. A large ARC grant application has been submitted.
  • Assoc. Professor Darren Curnoe (UNSW) is a leading Australian authority on the evolution of modern humans – we have worked on a range of projects since 2005 and currently collaborate on analyses of the recently described Red Deer Cave specimens from the Pleistocene-Holocene transition of SW China. This intriguing material evidences a mosaic of archaic and modern features and may represent a late surviving archaic population or even new species of human. Other ongoing collaborative work examines changes in brain size and shape in later human evolution.
  • Assoc/Prof Bryan Fry (Future Fellow Queensland University) is among the world’s leading toxicologists; we have collaborated on analyses of feeding behaviour in the Komodo dragon and prediction of behaviour in the giant fossil varanid ‘Megalania’ (PNAS 2009) and continue to collaborate on analyses of feeding behaviour in other reptilian taxa.
  • Professor Chris Dickman (University of Sydney) a current APF and leading researcher in Australian terrestrial ecology; past collaborations include deep time analyses of Australian carnivore diversity; current joint projects include investigation into the effective use of biomechanics as a conservation management tool.
  • Dr Anjali Goswami (UCL) is a world authority in the application of geometric morphometrics to evolutionary studies; collaborative work to date includes establishment of differences in the timing of ossification in the development of the mammalian skeleton (Evolution 2008); we have ongoing projects investigating form-function relationships in mammalian carnivore species.
  • Assoc. Professor Phillip Clausen (University of Newcastle) is on the leading edge of Finite Element Analysis and its application to a wide range of questions - from wind turbine design to comparative biomechanics; ongoing collaborations include research into the mechanical properties of bone.
  • Dr Paul Schofield (Curator Vertebrate Zoology, Canterbury Museum, NZ), Dr Peter Johnston (Senior Lecturer, School of Anatomy, Auckland University, NZ) & Dr Trevor Worthy, Researcher, University of Adelaide, AUS) are the world’s foremost authorities on the evolution of New Zealand’s giant extinct terrestrial bird radiation (moa). We are collaborating on a biomechanical comparison of moa species based on muscle reconstructions from MRI of mummified remains and CT and reconstruction of moa skulls. We are further involved in reconstruction and analysis of beautifully preserved new material of another enigmatic large terrestrial NZ species of Aptornis (Adzebill).
  • Dr Judith Field (Senior Research Fellow, UNSW). Dr Field is an archaeologist and authority on both megafaunal extinction and stone tool residue analysis. We have a long history of collaboration and continue to contribute to the debate over megafaunal extinction in Australia.
  • Dr Vera Weisbecker (Queensland University) is internationally recognised in the field of mammalian brain evolution – we currently collaborate on a project that tests concepts explaining the evolution of large brains in mammals through comparisons of marsupials and placentals.
  • Professor Bill Walsh (Prince of Wales Hospital & UNSW) is a world leader in the field of bioengineering. We currently collaborate on a range of projects including the modelling of osteoporotic vs none osteoporotic bone.



Significant collaborations with industry include:
My advice is sought by major producers of medical and engineering software in order to improve their products:
Materialize (Belgium), the world’s foremost producer of medical imaging software, has sought my counsel on various projects, particularly with regard to the import of CT density data into Finite Element Models.
Strand7, an Australian producer of FE software originally dedicated to mechanical engineering, now regularly seeks my input in the development of improved protocols for the application of their software to the modelling of biological specimens.


Funding
In total I have been awarded over 1.9 million dollars in funding (>1.43 million since 2006). I am or have been 1st Chief Investigator on all but one of these grants. Three major grant applications (220 k - 640 k) are currently under submission.

AUD $66,000 – Hermon-Slade Award (2012-2014)
AUD $10,000 – E&ERC Significant Collaboration Award (2012)
AUD $780,000 – ARC (2006-2010)
AUD $180,000 – UNSW Strategic Initiatives Grant (2007-2009)
AUD $44,000 – APSF (2008-2011)
AUD $180,000 – ARC (2009-2011)
AUD $40,000 – Goldstar (2011)
AUD $143,000 –SRF (2012)

Teaching, student supervision and outreach

I maintain a very strong commitment to teaching undergraduates and supervising Postdoctoral Fellows and higher degree students. In addition to contributing to course development in areas of expertise such as palaeobiology and evolution, I have spearheaded and driven the development and incorporation of digital 3D data and approaches in undergraduate teaching. Virtual approaches are increasingly applied by teachers in biomedicine, but despite obvious advantages (such as virtual access to key and important material not otherwise available), progress has been very limited in the fields of palaeontology and palaeobiology. With over 7 years of experience in the use of various imaging softwares, as well as the application of ‘value-adding’ programmes in shape analysis and biomechanical engineering, I am particularly well-positioned to advance the use of these leading edge-methods in teaching. Moreover, I have amassed a very wide collection of Computed Tomography (serial x-ray) data, representing a broad range of fossil species (e.g., mammal-like reptiles, fossil hominids, gigantic terrestrial birds, giant and dwarf deer), as well as over 100 extant spp. I continue to expand on these data and further develop course work.

I have an extensive track record in communicating my research via popular media in documentary form (e.g., National Geographic, Discovery Magazine and ABC Catalyst - see above), as well as directly to community groups, including the next generation of young scientists as a NSW Young Tall Poppy Science Award recipient. I have given dozens of presentations to school students in NSW, Victoria and Queensland from K1 to year 12 and published many articles in both local and major international popular science magazines, including invited work in Scientific American (see Publications).

I am conducting an international Workshop in Virtual Reconstruction and Computational Biomechanics at UNSW in September of this year. The response has been extraordinary – with the 35 available positions filled within 5 days of my advertising it. Applicants were from 15 institutions and five countries. Given this response and the very strong support I have received from major software producers I will continue to run this as a yearly event. 

Undergraduate courses taught

BIOS3711 Human Evolution [3rd yr] - responsible for development and presentation of lectures and labs in the evolution of human feeding behaviour and virtual anthropology

BIOS2061 Vertebrate Zoology [2nd yr] – responsible for lectures and labs in functional morphology of vertebrates and virtual vertebrate zoology

GEOS1211 Environmental Earth Science [1st yr] - responsible for development and presentation of lectures and labs on extinctions through time using virtual approaches

GEOS2071 Life through Time [2nd yr] - responsible for development and presentation of lectures on the reconstruction of ecology in extinct taxa incorporating digital approaches.

Supervision:

Postdoctoral supervision:

2012-2014
Dr L. Wilson (Swiss National Science Foundation Fellowship)
2011-2011
Dr W. Parr (Endeavor Research Fellowship)


Research students:

2012-present          C. Boel (PhD): Hybridisation in later human evolution
2012-present
U. Chamoli (PhD): Biomechanical consequences of spinal fusion
2012
J. Kemp (Hons) Validation of FEA protocols
2011
S. Evans (BE Mech) High resolution modeling of mammalian bone
2011
N. Rogers: (Hons): Brain size and shape in later human evolution (co-supervision)
2009-present
M. Attard (PhD): Thylacine diet and extinction
2008-present
P. Aquilina (PhD): Human Facial Biomechanics
2008-present
T. Ferrara (PhD): 3D computer simulation of shark cranial mechanics
2011
U. Chamoli (MPhil) Cranial mechanics of living and fossil Felidae
2010
M. McCurry (Hons) Mechanics of living and fossil varanid crania
2009-2010
F. Degrange (PhD): ‘Terror Bird‘ palaeoecology (Universidad de la Plata,       Argentina) (co-supervision)
2010
C. Oldfield (Hons): Feeding ecology in a giant extinct ursid (co- supervision)
2009
Mike Alworth (Hons): Using Finite Element Analysis to Investigate Bite Force (Univ. of   Newcastle) (co-supervision)
2008
A. Pino Olivares (MSc): Bite mechanics of Varanus giganteus (Pontificia Universidad       Católica de Valparaiso, Chile (co-supervision)
2006-2009
C. McHenry (PhD): Functional morphology of Kronosaurus (co-supervision)
2002-2005
M. Letnic (PhD: Ecology of the Dingo (Co-supervision)

Top ten publications

Authors underlined were students or research assistants in my lab at the time the work was conducted. ERA 2010 journal rankings provided in brackets. ERA 2010 journal rankings provided: (A* =  top 5% and A = next 15%)


  • Wroe, S., Ferrara, T., McHenry, C., Curnoe, D, Chamoli, U. 2010. The craniomandibular mechanics of being human.  Proceedings of the Royal Society (London), Series B. 277: 3579-3586 (A*)
  • Fry, B. G., Wroe, S., Teeuwisse, W., Matthias J., Osch, P., Moreno, K., Ingle, K., McHenry, C., Ferrara, T., et al. 2009 A central role for venom in predation by Varanus komodoensis (Komodo Dragon) and the extinct giant Varanus (Megalania) priscus. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (USA) 106, 8969-8974. (A*)
  • Wroe, S., Clausen, P., McHenry, C., Moreno, K., and Cunningham, E. 2008. Computer   simulation of feeding behaviour in the thylacine and dingo: a novel test for convergence and niche overlap. Proceedings of the Royal Society (London), Series B, 274:2819-2828. (A*)
  • Wroe, S., and Milne, N. 2007 (Cover). Convergence and remarkably consistent constraint in the evolution of carnivore skull shape. Evolution, 61:1251-1260. (A*)
  • Christiansen, P., and Wroe, S. 2007. Bite forces and evolutionary adaptations to feeding ecology in carnivores. Ecology, 88: 347-358. (A*)
  • McHenry, C., Wroe, S., Clausen, P., Moreno, K., and Cunningham, E.2007. Super-modeled sabercat, predatory behaviour in Smilodon fatalis revealed by high-resolution 3-D computer simulation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (USA), 104:16010-16015. (A*)
  • Wroe, S., McHenry, C., and Thomason, J. (2005). Bite club: Comparative bite force in big biting mammals and the prediction of predatory behaviour in fossil taxa. Proceedings of the Royal Society (London), Series B, 272: 619-625. (A*)
  • McHenry, C., Cook, A., and Wroe, S. (2005). Bottom feeding plesiosaurs. Science, 310: 75. (A*)
  • Chamoli, U., and Wroe, S., 2011, Allometry in the distribution of material properties and geometry of the felid skull: Why larger species may need to change and how they may achieve it: Journal of Theoretical Biology, 283: 217-226. (A*)
  • Wroe, S., Argot, C., Crowther, M., and Dickman, C. (2004). On the rarity of big fierce carnivores. Proceedings of the Royal Society (London), Series B, 271: 1203-1211. (A*)



Full publication list

Reviewed book chapters

  1. Wroe, S. 2010. Cranial mechanics of mammalian carnivores: Recent advances using a Finite Element approach In Carnivoran Evolution: New Views on Phylogeny, Form, and Function (A. Goswami and A. Friscia, eds.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Pages 466-485.
  2. Wroe, S., and Archer, M. (2006). Origins and early radiations of marsupials. Pp. 517-540 in Merrick, J. Archer, M., Hickey, G. M., & Lee, M. S. Y. (eds). Evolution and Biogeography of Australasian Vertebrates, Auscipub Pty Ltd: Sydney.
  3. Wroe, S. (2003). Australian marsupial carnivores: Advances in palaeontology, palaeoecology and phylogeny. Pp. 71-94 in M. Jones, C. Dickman & M. Archer (eds), Predators with Pouches: the Biology of Carnivorous Marsupials, CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne.


Scholarly reviewed journal articles
Excellence in Research Australia (2010) rankings: A* = top 5% of international journals and A = next top 15% of international journals. Underlined are or were part of my research team at time of publication.



1.      Evans, S, Parr, W., Clausen, P., Jones, A., & Wroe, S. (Accepted). Finite Element Analysis of a micromechanical model of bone and a new 3D approach to validation. Journal of Biomechanics. (A*)



2.       Aquilina, P., Chamoli, U., Parr, W., Clausen, P., & Wroe, S. (In Press) Finite Element Analysis of three patterns of internal fixation of mandibular condyle fractures. British Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery. (B)

3.      Curnoe, D., J., X., Herries, A., Kanning, B., Tacon, P., Zhende, B., Fink, D., Yunsheng, Z., Hellstrom, J., Yun, L., Cassis, G., Bing, S., Wroe, S. (2012). Human remains from the Pleistocene-Holocene transition of southwest China suggest a complex evolutionary history for East Asians. PLoS ONE 7(3): e31918. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0031918 (A)

4.      Parr, W., Wroe, S., Chamoli, U., Richards, H. S., McCurry, M., Clause, P. D., and McHenry, C. R. (2012) Toward integration of geometric morphometrics and computational biomechanics: New methods for 3D virtual reconstruction and quantitative analysis of Finite Element Models: Journal of Theoretical Biology, 301: 1-14 (A*)

5.      Field, J., & Wroe, S. (2012) Aridity, Faunal Adaptations and Australian Late Pleistocene Extinctions. World Archaeology, 44: 46-74. (A)

6.        Field, J., Wroe, S., Trueman, C., Garvey, J., & Wyatt-Spratt, S. (In Press) Looking for the Archaeological Signature in Australian Megafaunal Extinctions. Quaternary International. (B)
7.        Chamoli, U., and Wroe, S. (2011) Allometry in the distribution of material properties and geometry of the felid skull: why larger species may need to change and how they may achieve it. Journal of Theoretical Biology, 283: 217-226. (A*)
8.        Goswami, A., Milne, N., and Wroe, S. (2011) Biting through constraints: Cranial morphology, disparity and convergence across living and fossil carnivorous mammals. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, Series B, 278: 1831-1839. (A*)
9.      Oldfield, C.C., McHenry, C.R., Clausen, P.D., Chamoli, U., Parr, W.C.H., Stynder, D.D., Wroe, S. (2011) Finite Element Analysis of ursid cranial mechanics and the prediction of feeding behaviour in the extinct giant Agriotherium africanum. Journal of Zoology (London), 286: 163-170.(A)

10.    Attard, M., Chamoli, U., Ferrara, T., Rogers, T., Wroe, S. (2011) Skull mechanics and implications for feeding behaviour in a large marsupial carnivore guild: the thylacine, Tasmanian devil and spotted-tailed quoll. Journal of Zoology,  285: 292-300.  (A)
11.    Ferrara, T. L., Clausen, P., Huber, D. R., McHenry, C. R., Peddemours, V., Wroe, S. (2011) Mechanics of biting in great white and sandtiger sharks. Journal of Biomechanics, 44: 430-435. (A*)
12.    Tsafnat, N., & Wroe, S. (2011) An Experimentally Validated Micromechanical Model of a Rat Vertebra Under Compressive Loading. Journal of Anatomy, 218: 40-46. (A)
13.  D’Amore, C. D., Moreno, K., McHenry, C. R., and Wroe, S. (2011) The effects of biting and pulling on the forces generated during feeding in the Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis). PLoS ONE, 6(10): e26226. (A)

14.  Wroe, S., Ferrara, T., McHenry, C., Curnoe, D., Chamoli, U. (2010). The craniomandibular mechanics of being human. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, 277: 3579-3586. (A*)

15.  Degrange, F. J., Tambussi, C. P., Moreno, K., Witmer, L. M. & Wroe, S. (2010 ) Mechanical Analysis of Feeding Behavior in the Extinct Terror Bird Andalgalornis steulleti (Gruiformes: Phorusrhacidae). PLoS ONE 5, e11856. (A)

16.  Cosgrove, R., Field, J., Garvey, J., Brenner-Coltrain, J., Goede, J., Charles, B., Wroe, S., Pike-Tay, A., Grün, R., Aubert, M., & W., O’Connell, J. (2010) Overdone overkill - the archaeological perspective on Tasmanian megafaunal extinctions. Journal of Archaeological Science, 37: 2486-2503. (A*)

17.  Fry, B. G., Wroe, S., Teeuwisse, W., Matthias J., Osch, P., Moreno, K., et al.. 2009. A central role for venom in predation by Varanus komodoensis (Komodo Dragon) and the extinct giant Varanus (Megalania) priscus. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 106, 8969-8974. (A*)

18.  Wroe, S. 2008. High-resolution 3-D computer simulation of feeding behaviour in marsupial and placental lions. Journal of Zoology, 274:332-339. (A)

19.  Wroe, S., DR Huber, MB Lowry, CR McHenry, K Moreno, PD Clausen, TL Ferrara. 2008. 3D computer analysis of white shark jaw mechanics: how hard can a great white bite? Journal of Zoology 276: 336–342. (A)

20.  Weisbecker, V., Goswami, A. Wroe, S., Sánchez-Villagra, M. 2008. Ossification heterochrony in the mammalian skeleton and the marsupial-placental dichotomy. Evolution 62: 2027–2041. (A*)

21.  Moreno, K., Wroe, S., Clausen, P. D., McHenry, C. R., D'Amore, D. C.; Rayfield, E. J., and Cunningham, E. 2008. Cranial performance in the Komodo dragon as revealed by high-resolution 3-D finite element analysis. Journal of Anatomy, 212:736-746. (A)

22.  Bourke, J., Wroe, S., Moreno, K., McHenry, C., Clausen, P. 2008. Effects of Gape and Tooth Position on Bite Force in the Dingo. PLoS ONE 3(5):e2200. (A)
23.  Field, J., Fillios, M., and Wroe, S. 2008. Contextualizing Chronologies for the Human Megafauna Overlap in Australia. Earth Science Reviews, 89: 97-115. (A*)
24.  Wroe, S., Lowry, M. B., and Anton, M. 2008. How to build a mammalian super-predator? Zoology, 111:196-203. (B)
25.  Clausen, P. D., Wroe, S.; McHenry, C. R.; Moreno, K; Bourke, J. 2008. The vector of jaw muscle force as determined by computer generated 3D simulation. Journal of Biomechanics, 41: 3184-3188. (A*)
26.  Wroe, S., Clausen, P., McHenry, C., Moreno, K., and Cunningham, E. 2007. Computer simulation of feeding behaviour in the thylacine and dingo: a novel test for convergence and niche overlap. Proceedings of the Royal Society (London), Series B, 274: 2819-2828. (A*)
27.  Wroe, S., and Milne., N. 2007. Convergence and remarkably consistent constraint in the evolution of carnivore skull shape. Evolution, 61: 1251-1260. (A*)
28.  McHenry, C., Wroe, S., Clausen, P., Moreno, K., and Cunningham, E.2007. Super-modeled sabercat, predatory behaviour in Smilodon fatalis revealed by high-resolution 3-D computer simulation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (USA), 104: 16010-16015 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting. (A*)
29.  Christiansen, P., and Wroe, S. 2007. Bite forces and evolutionary adaptations to feeding ecology in carnivores. Ecology, 88: 347-358. (A*)
30.  Wroe, S., Moreno, K., Clausen, P., McHenry, C., and Curnoe, D. 2007. High-resolution computer simulation of hominid cranial mechanics. The Anatomical Record, 290: 1248-1255. (A)
31.  Wroe, S. 2007. High-resolution 3-D computer simulation of feeding behaviour in marsupial and placental lions. Journal of Zoology,  274:332-339 (A)
32.  Wroe, S., Field, J., and Grayson, D. K. (2006). Megafaunal extinction: climate, humans and assumptions. Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 21: 61-62. (A*)
33.  Wroe, S., and Field, J. (2006). A review of the evidence for a human role in the extinction of Australian megafauna and an alternative interpretation. Quaternary Science Reviews, 25: 2692-2703. (A*)
34.  Wroe, S., McHenry, C., and Thomason, J. (2005). Bite club: Comparative bite force in big biting mammals and the prediction of predatory behaviour in fossil taxa. Proceedings of the Royal Society (London), Series B, 272: 619-625. (A*)
35.  McHenry, C., Cook, A., and Wroe, S. (2005). Bottom feeding plesiosaurs. Science, 310: 75. (A*)
36.  Trueman, C. N., Field, J. H, Dortch, J., Charles, B., and Wroe, S. (2005). Prolonged co-existence of humans and megafauna in Pleistocene Australia. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (USA), 182: 8381-8385. (A*)
37.  Wroe, S., Argot, C., Crowther, M., and Dickman, C. (2004). On the rarity of big fierce carnivores. Proceedings of the Royal Society (London), Series B, 271: 1203-1211. (A*)
38.  Wroe, S., Field, J., Fullagar, R., and Jermiin, L. (2004). Megafaunal extinction in the Late Quaternary and the global overkill hypothesis. Alcheringa, 28: 291-331. (C)
39.  Wroe, S., Crowther, M., Dortch, J., and Chong, J. (2004). The size of the largest marsupial and why it matters. Proceedings of the Royal Society (London) Series B (Suppl.), 271: S34-S36. (A*)
40.  Wroe, S., Myers, T., Seebacher, F., Kear, B., Gillespie, A., Crowther, M., and Salisbury, S. (2003). An alternative method for predicting body-mass: The case of the marsupial lion. Paleobiology, 29: 404-412. (A)
41.  Johnson, C., and Wroe, S. (2003). Causes of extinctions of vertebrates during the Holocene of mainland Australia: arrival of the dingo or human impact? The Holocene, 13: 109-116. (A)
42.  Wroe, S. (2002). A review of terrestrial mammalian and reptilian carnivore ecology in Australian fossil faunas and factors influencing their diversity. Australian Journal of Zoology, 50: 1-24. (B)
43.  Wroe, S. (2001). Maximucinus muirheadae, gen. et sp. nov. (Thylacinidae, Marsupialia), from the Miocene of Riversleigh, northwestern Queensland, with estimates of body weights for fossil thylacinids. Australian Journal of Zoology, 49: 603-614. (B)
44.  Wroe, S., and Musser, A. (2001). The skull of Nimbacinus dicksoni (Thylacinidae, Marsupialia). Australian Journal of Zoology, 49: 487-514. (B)
45.  Mackness, B. S., Wroe, S., Muirhead, J., Wilkinson, C., and Wilkinson, D. (2000). First fossil bandicoot from the Pliocene Chinchilla Local Fauna. Australian Mammalogy, 22: 133-136. (C)
46.  Wroe, S., and Mackness, B. S. (2000). A new genus and species of dasyurine dasyurid (Marsupialia) from the Pliocene Chinchilla Local Fauna of Southeastern Queensland. Alcheringa, 24: 319-325. (C)
47.  Wroe, S., Ebach, M., Ahyong, S., Muizon, C. de, and Muirhead, J. (2000). Phylogeny of Australian marsupicarnivores: a parsimony-based analysis using cranial and dental data. Journal of Mammalogy, 88: 1008-1024. (A)
48.  Krajewski, C., Wroe, S., and Westerman, M. (2000). Molecular evidence for phylogenetic relationships and the timing of cladogenesis in dasyurid marsupials. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 130: 375-404. (A)
49.  Wroe, S. (1999). The geologically oldest dasyurid (Marsupialia) from the Miocene of Riversleigh, north-western Queensland. Palaeontology, 42: 501-527. (B)
50.  Wroe, S., Myers, T. J., Wells, R. T., and Gillespie, A. (1999). Estimating the weight of the Pleistocene marsupial lion (Thylacoleo carnifex, Thylacoleonidae: Marsupialia): implications for the ecomorphology of a marsupial super-predator and hypotheses for the impoverishment of marsupial carnivore faunas. Australian Journal of Zoology, 47: 489-498. (B)
51.  Godthelp, H., Wroe, S., and Archer, M. (1999). A new marsupial from the early Eocene Tingamarra Local Fauna of Murgon, Southeastern Queensland: a prototypical Australian marsupial? Journal of Mammalian Evolution, 6: 289-313. (C).
52.  Wroe, S. (1998). A new 'bone-cracking' dasyurid (Marsupialia), from the Miocene of Riversleigh, north-western Queensland. Alcheringa, 22: 277-284. (C)
53.  Wroe, S., Brammall, J., and Cooke, B. (1998). The skull of Ekaltadeta ima (Marsupialia, Hypsiprymnodontidae?): An analysis of some marsupial cranial features and a reinvestigation of propleopine phylogeny, with notes on the inference of carnivory in mammals. Journal of Paleontology, 72: 738-751. (C)
54.  Wroe, S., and Mackness, B. S. (1998). Revision of the Pliocene dasyurid, Dasyurus dunmalli (Dasyuridae, Marsupialia). Memoirs of the Queensland Museum, 42: 605-612.  (C)
55.  Muirhead, J., and Wroe, S. (1998). A new genus and species, Badjcinus turnbulli (Thylacinidae, Marsupialia), from the late Oligocene of Riversleigh, northwestern Australia, and an investigation of thylacinid phylogeny. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 18: 612-626. (A)
56.  Wroe, S. (1997). A re-examination of proposed morphology-based synapomorphies for the families of Dasyuromorphia (Marsupialia): Part I, Dasyuridae. Journal of Mammalian Evolution, 4: 19-52. (C)
57.  Wroe, S. (1997). Mayigriphus orbus, a new species of dasyuromorphian (Marsupialia) from the Miocene of Riversleigh, north-western Queensland. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum, 41: 439-448. (C)
58.  Wroe, S. (1997). Stratigraphy and phylogeny in the giant extinct rat-kangaroo Ekaltadeta (Propleopinae, Hypsiprymnodontidae, Marsupialia). Memoirs of the Queensland Museum, 41: 449-456. (C)
59.  Wroe, S. (1996). An investigation of phylogeny in the giant rat kangaroo Ekaltadeta (Propleopinae, Potoroidae, Marsupialia). Journal of Paleontology, 70: 677-686. (C)
60.  Wroe, S. (1996). Muribacinus gadiyuli (Thylacinidae, Marsupialia), a very plesiomorphic thylacinid from the Miocene of Riversleigh, Northwestern Queensland, and the problem of paraphyly for the Dasyuridae. Journal of Paleontology, 70: 1032-1044. (C)
61.  Wroe, S., and Archer, M. (1995). Extraordinary diphyodonty-related change in dental function for a tooth of the extinct marsupial Ekaltadeta ima (Propleopinae, Hypsiprymndontidae). Archives of Oral Biology, 40: 597-603. (A) 


Popular science publications


  1. Attard, M.,  & Wroe, S. (2012). The thylacine myth. Australasian Science, 35: 19-22.
  2. Wroe, S. (2005). On little lizards and big extinctions. Quaternary Australasia, 23: 8-12 (Guest Editorial).
  3. Wroe, S. (2004). Killer kangaroos and other murderous marsupials [update]. Scientific American, Spec. Vol. 14: 48-55.
  4. Wroe, S. (2004). Factors behind the rarity of large mammalian carnivores. Australasian Science, (21-23).
  5. Long. J., & Wroe, S. 2003. Marsupial baby killer or Aussie big cat. Australasian Science, (October): 23-24.
  6. Wroe, S., and Johnson, C. (2003). Bring back the devil. Nature Australia, 27: 84.
  7. Wroe, S. (2003). The myth of reptilian domination. Nature Australia, 27: 54-59.
  8. Wroe, S., Field, J., and Fullagar, R. (2002). Lost giants. Nature Australia, 27: 54-61.
  9. Wroe, S. (2001). The killer rat-kangaroo's tooth. Nature Australia, 27: 28-31.
  10. Wroe, S. (2001). The lost kingdoms of Australia. Newton, 4: 98-104.
  11. Wroe, S., and Field, J. (2001). On giant-wombats and red-herrings. Australasian Science, 24: 18.
  12. Wroe, S., and Field, J. (2001). Megafaunal mystery remains. Australasian Science, 22 (September):       21-25.
  13. Wroe, S. (2000). Move over sabre-toothed tiger. Nature Australia, 27: 44-51.
  14. Wroe, S. (1999). Killer kangaroos and other murderous marsupials. Scientific American, 280: 68-74.
  15. Wroe, S. (1999). The bird from hell? Nature Australia, 26: 58-64.
  16. Wroe, S. (1998). Killer kangaroo. Australasian Science, 19: 25-28.
  17. Wroe, S., and Myers, T. J. (1998). Fallacy and future-eating. Australasian Science, 19 (9): 27-29. 


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