Todd C. LaJeunesse

Todd C. LaJeunesse is the Wilson Hewitt Professor of Biology at Pennsylvania State University, affiliated with the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences. His research focuses on the evolutionary ecology of coral-dinoflagellate symbioses, particularly their responses to climate change. He holds a B.S. from Cornell University (1991) and a Ph.D. from the University of California, Santa Barbara (2000), followed by postdoctoral training at the University of Georgia (2000–2004).

Research interests include symbiosis evolution, coral reef biodiversity, and the functional diversity of host-symbiont partnerships. Key topics involve symbiont biodiversity drivers, speciation in microbial eukaryotes, and the physiological impacts of thermal stress on corals. His work integrates genetic, ecological, and phylogenetic approaches to address climate change impacts on marine ecosystems.

Recent articles highlight advancements in symbiont diversity assessment, coral thermal tolerance mechanisms, and the ecological consequences of symbiont shifts. His lab contributes to coral conservation efforts through studies on symbiont adaptation and reef resilience under environmental pressures.