Dion Durnford

Dion Durnford is Professor and Department Chair in the Department of Biology at the University of New Brunswick. His research focuses on the evolution and function of photosynthetic systems in algae and plants, with particular emphasis on light-harvesting complexes and their role in photoprotection. Research examines how photosynthetic organisms sense and respond to changing light conditions through regulation of pigment-binding proteins.

Current investigations include:

• Molecular mechanisms of light sensing and signal transduction
• Evolution of plastid-targeting mechanisms in diverse algae
• Senescence processes in green microalgae under nutrient limitation
• Photoprotective strategies in high-light environments

Durnford teaches courses including Biological Principles, Cell Signalling, and Science Communication. Research employs transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic approaches to study photosynthetic adaptation in model organisms including Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Bigelowiella natans.