Jairo Rivera Posada

Jairo Rivera Posada is a former Research Fellow at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University (2012–2015), where he focused on coral reef ecosystem dynamics and marine disease pathogenesis. He holds a DVM (Hons) from the University of Caldas (1999), a Doctorate in Veterinary Science (Summa Cum Laude) from the University of León (Spain, 2005), and a PhD in Marine Biology and Microbiology from James Cook University (2012). His career includes roles as Professor of Radiology and Small Animal Surgery at the University of Antioquia (Colombia, 2000–2007), Head of the School at Lasalle University’s Veterinary Medicine program (2007), and researcher in biomaterials and veterinary imaging.

Research Interests
Jairo’s work centers on Crown-of-Thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) pathogenesis, biological control strategies, and host-pathogen interactions in marine ecosystems. He collaborates with Prof Morgan Pratchett on multi-disciplinary approaches to coral reef conservation, emphasizing the application of veterinary and microbiological expertise to ecological challenges.

Key Achievements

• Patented bone graft material for orthopedic applications (2005)
• Developed TCBS agar-based disease induction protocols for starfish population control
• Authored over 15 publications on marine pathology, coral reef ecology, and veterinary diagnostics

His current research integrates clinical diagnostics with environmental science, aiming to mitigate coral reef degradation through targeted interventions.