Peter Prentis

Professor Peter Prentis is an evolutionary geneticist at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), affiliated with the School of Biology & Environmental Science and the Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy. His research integrates genomics, bioinformatics, and ecological experiments to address questions in evolutionary genetics, focusing on marine species like sea anemones and pest fruit flies. He holds a PhD from QUT and has led projects funded by Australian Competitive Grants, including the Centre for Fruit Fly Biosecurity Innovation.

His work explores topics such as venom evolution in cnidarians, genomic adaptations in invasive species, and applications of genomics in horticulture. He has supervised multiple PhD and Master’s students on topics ranging from fruit fly behavior to marine genomics. His awards include editorial roles at journals like Ecology and Evolution and invited talks at conferences like 'Venoms to Drugs.'

Key research areas include the genetic basis of invasiveness, plant-mediated gene expression changes in insects, and improving agricultural productivity through genomic approaches. His recent publications highlight advancements in tree genomics, venom complexity in sea anemones, and landscape genetics of invasive species.