Joachim Mergeay

Joachim Mergeay is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Biology at KU Leuven's Faculty of Sciences, where he leads research in conservation genetics and population genomics. He is affiliated with the Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO), focusing on genetic research for policy-relevant species and environmental DNA applications. His work bridges scientific research with conservation policy implementation through collaborations with the IUCN conservation genetics specialist group, the GEO-BON genetic composition working group, and G-BiKE (Genomic Biodiversity Knowledge for Resilient Ecosystems).

Dr. Mergeay's research centers on applied population genetics and conservation genomics, with particular emphasis on implementing genetic criteria into international conservation frameworks including the European Habitats Directive and Convention on Biological Diversity. He utilizes genomic approaches across diverse taxa—ranging from reptiles, amphibians, and birds to mammals, fish, insects, and plants—to estimate effective population sizes, evaluate conservation translocations, and monitor invasive species. His methodology addresses the complex challenges of translating genetic research into practical conservation management.

His recent publications reveal a strong focus on genetic diversity monitoring, wolf population dynamics, and developing indicators for international biodiversity frameworks. Analysis of his 15 most recent articles shows consistent emphasis on effective population size estimation methodologies, genetic monitoring protocols, and the integration of genetic data into conservation policy. His work frequently addresses the practical implementation challenges of conservation genomics in real-world management contexts.

Dr. Mergeay actively contributes to teaching within KU Leuven's biology curriculum, offering courses in ecology, conservation biology, biodiversity fieldwork, and evolutionary biology. His research group, the Applied Population Genetics and Conservation Genomics lab, welcomes motivated students and researchers interested in advancing conservation genetics applications.