Andreas Heyland

Andreas Heyland is a Professor in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of Guelph's College of Biological Science. His research focuses on molecular and physiological mechanisms underlying life history transitions in marine invertebrates, particularly metamorphosis and hormonal signaling systems. He leads the Heyland Lab, exploring topics such as iodine and thyroid hormone signaling in marine ecosystems, functional genomics of larval development in Aplysia californica, and sensory signaling systems in marine invertebrates. Dr. Heyland holds a B.Sc. from the University of Zurich (1996), an M.Sc. (1999), and a Ph.D. from the University of Florida (2004), followed by postdoctoral work at the University of Florida. He advises several graduate students and collaborates internationally on projects involving functional genomics and ecological genomics.

His research integrates experimental, physiological, and genomic approaches to address questions about how environmental factors modulate developmental mechanisms. Key themes include the role of thyroid hormones in larval development and metamorphosis, the evolution of non-feeding life history modes, and the application of transcriptomics to study sensory systems in basal metazoans like Trichoplax adhaerens. He has published extensively on hormonal signaling, metamorphic transitions, and ecological impacts on development.

Current lab members include Ph.D. students Breanna Hall, Elias Taylor, and Vern Lewis (co-advised), as well as MSc students Hannah Wynen, Holly Belanco, Jordan Roszell, and Trysta Bastien. His work bridges molecular mechanisms with evolutionary and ecological contexts, contributing to our understanding of developmental plasticity and environmental interactions in marine organisms.