John R. Finnerty

John R. Finnerty is an Associate Professor of Biology Education at Boston University. His research focuses on evolutionary and ecological developmental biology, particularly using coastal marine invertebrates such as sea anemones, corals, and jellyfish as model systems. He leads the Finnerty Lab, which investigates topics including the evolution of animal genomes, stress tolerance mechanisms, and coral resilience in the face of global change. His work has been pivotal in establishing the starlet sea anemone (Nematostella vectensis) as a key model organism for genomics and developmental biology studies.

Education: PhD in Biology from the University of Chicago. His interdisciplinary approach combines genomics, molecular biology, and field ecology to address fundamental questions in biodiversity. Current research emphasizes coral-mangrove interactions and the role of mangroves as critical habitats for reef corals.

Key research areas include: evolutionary genomics, parasitism ecology, and the impact of environmental stressors on marine organisms. Courses taught include BI550 Marine Genomics and BI569 Tropical Marine Invertebrates.