Bernard Degnan

Professor Bernard Degnan is a Professorial Research Fellow at the School of the Environment, The University of Queensland (UQ). He holds a Bachelor of Science from California State University-Long Beach and a Doctor of Philosophy from UQ. His research focuses on genomic, cellular, and developmental mechanisms underlying animal evolution, formation, and function, with a particular emphasis on coral reef invertebrates. Key areas include the evolution of developmental systems, marine biotechnology, and biomineralization processes in marine skeletons and shells. His work integrates genomic and molecular approaches to address fundamental biological questions and applied challenges like coral reef pest control.

Research interests span three core themes: (1) the origin of animal complexity through genome-encoded developmental rules, (2) marine biology and biotechnology involving coral reef invertebrates, and (3) the genomics of biomineralization. Notable projects include studies on crown-of-thorns starfish genomics for biocontrol strategies and investigations into sponge allorecognition and metamorphosis.

His lab’s contributions include breakthroughs in understanding larval development, symbiotic interactions in marine sponges, and the genetic basis of shell formation in molluscs. Bernard Degnan collaborates with the Centre for Marine Science at UQ and has published extensively on topics ranging from epigenetics to marine conservation genetics.