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 the Ben-Gurion University in the Negev in 2011. He pioneered the application of single-gene silencing to induce fully functional sex changes in crustaceans. This has wider 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 research team dedicated to better understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying crustacean development and reproduction and is participating in finfish projects, including salmon vertebrae deformities and flesh color variations, endangered fish recovery, and nutrition enhancement for key cultured species.