Biography

Professor Madeleine van Oppen is a world-leading marine molecular ecologist recognised for her research on microbial symbioses and climate change adaptation of reef-building corals. Her work has driven a fundamental shift in coral reef conservation and restoration as she conceptualised and pioneered the field of assisted evolution of corals, a suite of bioengineering approaches aimed at accelerating the adaptation of corals to climate change-driven summer heatwaves that cause destructive coral bleaching events. Her work has been published in >260 peer reviewed papers and book chapters.