Dr Damian Thomson

Team Leader

https://people.csiro.au/T/D/Damian-Thomson

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Biography

I am a marine ecologist with 25 years of research experience in tropical and temperate coastal ecosystems across the Indo-Pacific. My work focuses on understanding how environmental and biological processes shape reef ecosystems, with particular emphasis on organisms that support reef resilience. I am especially interested in ecological processes that drive reef growth in extreme environments, as well as the challenges posed by future climate scenarios. My research also explores ways to better integrate Indigenous and local knowledge into outcomes that inform reef management. I currently lead the Ningaloo Outlook project, serve as the team leader for the Coastal Ecosystems and Modelling group in Perth, co-lead the Ningaloo Climate Vulnerability Project, and contribute to developing scalable coral reef restoration strategies. Additionally, I supervise two honours students and one PhD student.

Current Roles

Leader
Ningaloo Outlook Program
Coral Reef ecologist
Reef Restoration and Adaptation - moving corals
Fish/Benthic ecologist
Carbon Capture and Storage - Seabed Processes

Academic Qualifications

1995

BSc (hons)
James Cook University

Professional Experiences

2008-Current

Senior Experimental Scientist
CSIRO
2004-2007

Coral Reef Ecologist
Australian Institute of Marine Science
1998-2003

Technical officer
James Cook University Marine Biology Department

Community and Corporate Citizenship

2012-Current

International Coral Reef Society member
1995-Current

Australian Coral Reef Society member
2019-2024

Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre Committee member
2016-2019

Australian Coral Reef Society Councillor

Publications

We have publications by Dr Damian Thomson