Bryan Lessard

Dr Bryan Lessard is an entomologist at CSIRO’s National Research Collections Australia, where he serves as an OCE Postdoctoral Fellow and member of the Research and Curation Team at the Australian National Insect Collection. He is also a Visiting Fellow and lecturer in Invertebrate Biology at the Australian National University. His research spans taxonomy, genomics, biodiversity discovery, and the sustainable use of edible insects.

• PhD, Australian National University (2013)
• Bachelor of Biotechnology (Advanced) Honours I, University of Wollongong (2008)

Dr Lessard's research focuses on the systematics and evolution of medically important flies and mosquitoes, utilizing integrative taxonomy, metabarcoding, and collection genomics. He has discovered over 150 new species and named more than 50, including the iconic Scaptia beyonceae. His work extends to pollination ecology, forensic biology, and the development of Australia’s edible insect industry through collaboration with industry and policy makers.

His recent publications reflect a strong trend in biodiversity science, combining traditional taxonomy with modern genomic and bioinformatic tools to address challenges in biosystematics, climate change impacts, and sustainable food systems. Key themes include mosquito classification, pollinator networks, and the commercialization of native edible insects.

• ACT Tall Poppy of The Year Award (2018–)
• Member of the Australian Science Superheroes (2018–)
• Early Career Research Excellence Award, Society of Australian Systematic Biologists (2017–)
• TEDx Talk, TEDx Canberra (2016–)
• Council of Heads of Australian Entomological Collections Speaker Prize (2016–)
• Presidential Prize for Best Presentation, Entomological Society of America (2011–)

Dr Lessard actively supervises students and has led citizen science initiatives such as the Australian Geographic Citizen Scientist Expedition. He has secured significant grant funding from CSIRO and the Australian Biological Resources Study for projects on edible insects, mosquito biosystematics, and climate change impacts. He advises insect farming enterprises like Goterra and has contributed to national policy on insect-based livestock feed. He is also an Associate Editor for the journal Zoologia.

Dr Lessard leads public engagement through media appearances (ABC, BBC, CNN), radio segments as “Bry the Fly Guy,” and educational outreach. He has led expeditions to Lord Howe Island and authored the children’s book Eyes on Flies, promoting entomology to younger audiences.