Leigh W. Simmons

Leigh Simmons is an evolutionary biologist whose research has focused on reproductive biology. His research uses both vertebrates and invertebrates to test the predictions and assumptions of theoretical models of sexual selection and life history evolution. Specifically, his current research is focussed on five areas: i) sperm competition and paternal effects mediated via seminal fluid; ii) the evolution of animal genitalia; iii) natural and sexual selection acting on insect cuticular lipids; iv) the effects of diet on reproductive health; and v) the potential for sexual selection to promote population fitness. Collectively, these research programs seek to determine the direction and strength of selection acting on male and female reproductive strategies, and on the morphological and life history traits that contribute to fitness, from the whole organism to its gametes.

He has held Editor-in-Chief posts for two society journals, Animal Behaviour and Behavioural Ecology, collectively for over 20 years, and the author of over 400 scientific articles, and 2 authored and 3 edited books on behaviour, ecology and evolution.

Simmons received his PhD from Nottingham University in 1986 and held a series of postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Liverpool until 1995 when he moved to the University of Western Australia. He is the recipient of the Zoological Society of London's Silver Medal, The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour Medal, an ARC Federation Fellowship and was elected to the Australian Academy of Science in 2009.