Thomas Turner

Thomas Turner is an Associate Professor in the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). His research focuses on evolutionary genetics, marine biology, and zoology, with a particular emphasis on marine sponges and their ecological roles in rocky reef habitats. He leads the Turner Lab, which investigates sponge diversity, evolutionary history, and ecological services. His work spans taxonomy, phylogenetics, and molecular biology of marine invertebrates, with contributions to understanding cryptic species and global biogeography.

Research Interests:
- Evolutionary mechanisms in marine invertebrates
- Sponge biodiversity and biogeography
- Molecular systematics and phylogenetics
- Behavioral ecology of insects, especially Drosophila species

Publications reflect a blend of sponge-focused studies and behavioral genetics, including work on silk production in crustaceans and mate choice evolution in Drosophila. His lab’s current projects emphasize California’s marine sponge communities, combining field surveys with genomic analyses.

Labs/Teams:
The Turner Lab integrates fieldwork, molecular biology, and computational tools to study evolutionary and ecological questions in marine systems. Collaborations focus on taxonomic revisions and ecological impact assessments of invasive species.