The observatory at Macquarie University is worlds apart from the Mojave Desert near Las Vegas, where Research Fellow Anthony Waddle grew up. But one constant endures: his lifelong fascination with animals.
That passion is evident as Waddle enthusiastically names and describes the research frogs on campus – each one part of his larger mission to protect them from extinction.
"On weekends, when I had nothing to do, my grandfather would take me on his photography trips. I would be harassing the animals, and he would be taking photos," Waddle recalls.
"I got obsessed. I just loved animals, even carrying around a folder filled with animal facts."
However, Waddle's fascination evolved into a career only later in life. His plans to become a biology teacher were disrupted when a professor researching frogs inspired him to commit to wildlife conservation.
"I found my way back to animals through a career in wildlife," Waddle says.
Anthony Waddle has a lifelong fascination with animals. Image: Yorick Lambreghts
Fighting fungus with frog saunas and vaccines
Waddle turned his attention to combating Chytrid fungus, a deadly disease causing significant declines in amphibian populations globally and particularly in Australia. His research led to a creative breakthrough: frog saunas.
Far from relaxation spaces, these saunas use higher temperatures to trigger natural immune responses in frogs, enabling them to clear infections caused by the fungus.
"The idea of a pathogen refuge isn't new, but we created an artificial one. We discovered that when frogs have access to high temperatures, they rapidly clear their infections," explains Waddle.
"We trialled this as a prototype greenhouse outside during winter, and it successfully reduced infections."
Waddle didn't stop there. In collaboration with his research partner Jessica Lewis, the team achieved a monumental breakthrough: vaccinating Green and Golden Bell Frogs against Chytrid fungus.
Inside Waddle's lab, gumboots in hand, tanks of frogs – including ones sporting names like Bob – represent this triumph.
"The idea is that if you expose the body to a weakened version of the pathogen, it can protect against more virulent forms. It's known as variolation," Waddle explains.
Waddle turned his attention to combating Chytrid fungus. Image: Yorick Lambreghts
"Our research found that frogs exposed to weakened versions of Chytrid became highly effective at fighting off virulent forms.
"Combining this with the frog saunas allows infected frogs to self-cure. They may still contract infections, but they won't get sick. It's a full-circle approach, creating a population that could, over time, become more resistant. If we give them enough time, they can sort themselves out."
With only 10 per cent of the Green and Golden Bell Frog population left in the wild, this breakthrough couldn't come soon enough.
A passionate partnership
But the process hasn't been easy. Meticulous, time-consuming, and incredibly challenging, the project was only possible thanks to Waddle's collaboration with Jessica Lewis, a like-minded researcher equally passionate about animals.
"Jess has been volunteering with me for a long time, and she just loves frogs," Waddle says.
"She worked as a reptile breeder in Canada before moving to Australia. We're the same type of person – nerdy little kids who kept animals as pets."
Lewis's contributions have been vital not only to this project but also to the future of scientific research.
There is only 10 per cent of the Green and Golden Bell Frog population left in the wild. Image: Yorick Lambreghts
"I trust Jess 100 per cent to do great work and make good decisions," Waddle says. "That trust is essential for us to keep going.
"You can't be the one getting the permits, securing ethical approvals, raising funds, and writing papers all at once. Young researchers are not just pushing the work forward. They are absolutely essential for the research to happen."
Why frogs matter
Beyond their admiration for frogs, Waddle emphasises their ecological and scientific importance. Their survival matters not just to researchers like him but to humanity.
"Frogs are super important. They've been around far longer than humans, surviving four mass extinction events. Their immune systems are incredibly similar to ours, and by studying them, we can uncover new therapies and cures for human diseases.
"If we lose amphibians, we'll lose all this incredible knowledge. That's why it's essential we care about them. Even the smallest leaps can make a big difference."
