Tom Bridge

Tom Bridge is a Senior Research Fellow at James Cook University and Senior Curator of Corals at the Queensland Museum Network. His research focuses on coral reef biodiversity, particularly in deeper waters beyond SCUBA diving depth, and the relationship between deep and shallow reef habitats.

Dr. Bridge's research interests span coral reef ecology, biogeography and conservation, with particular emphasis on mesophotic coral reef ecosystems, depth-diversity patterns in coral reefs, and the application of new technologies for marine environment mapping and 3D reconstruction. His work integrates traditional field surveys with cutting-edge remote imaging techniques to better understand reef community structure across depth gradients.

His publications reveal a strong focus on coral taxonomy, biodiversity assessment across depth zones, and the ecological relationships between corals and associated organisms. Bridge's research demonstrates how technological innovations in imaging and mapping are revolutionizing our understanding of reef ecosystems, particularly in deeper mesophotic zones that have historically been understudied due to accessibility challenges.

Dr. Bridge currently supervises multiple PhD candidates and collaborates extensively across international research networks. His work has significant implications for coral reef conservation strategies, particularly regarding the potential role of deeper reefs as refuges from climate change impacts affecting shallow water ecosystems.