Emma Thompson

Dr Emma Thompson is a Senior Lecturer in Animal Sciences at The University of Sydney, affiliated with the BIO department. Her research interests include aquaculture, epigenetics, invertebrate biology, zoology, and environmental management. Thompson's academic journey includes a Masters in Environmental Sciences from the University of Sydney and a PhD in Marine Biology from Macquarie University, where she focused on the molecular impacts of contamination and climate change on the Sydney Rock oyster. She has held post-doctoral positions at Macquarie University and contributed to large ITTC grants through the Sydney Institute of Marine Science. Thompson has also collaborated with the DPI Fisheries Port Stephens and has been involved in educational initiatives at Taronga Zoo, including the Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Taronga Wildlife Conservation). She returned to the University of Sydney in 2023 as a Senior Lecturer and Sydney Horizon Educator.

Emma Thompson is a marine biologist specializing in environmental genomics, with a focus on climate change impacts on marine ecosystems, particularly Sydney Rock oysters. Her research explores molecular responses of oysters to environmental stressors such as ocean acidification, metal contamination, and elevated CO2 levels. Through transcriptomic and proteomic analyses, she investigates adaptive mechanisms and biomarkers of stress resistance in oysters, aiming to enhance their resilience to climate change. Her work also addresses the effects of anthropogenic activities on coastal environments, emphasizing the role of molecular biomarkers in assessing ecological risk and environmental change.