Dr. Tomer Ventura

Dr. Tomer Ventura is an Associate Professor of Science at the School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast. He earned his Ph.D. in Life Sciences from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in 2011. He pioneered the application of single gene silencing to induce fully functional sex changes in crustaceans. This has wide application for practicing Monosex Population Culture (all-male or all-female), which has tremendous value for the entire aquaculture industry. This is the first application of gene silencing in aquaculture. Dr. Ventura’s molecular expertise is vital in translating novel basic scientific results into applicable biotechnologies. He is leading a group dedicated to better understanding the molecular mechanism underlying crustacean masculinity and metamorphosis and is participating in an attempt to understand the genetic cause for vertebrae deformities and flesh color variation in salmon.