Darwin's Arch 2023

About me

Hello, and welcome! My name is Mike Connelly, and I am a marine biologist that studies cnidarian genomics to examine innovations in early animal evolution, and to reveal how host-microbe interactions impact key evolutionary processes. My overarching goal is to generate discoveries that can be translated to improve human and ecosystem health. Please reach out if you have any questions about my work, I am always happy to connect!

I am currently a Postdoctoral Fellow at the National Human Genome Research Institute of the National Institutes of Health. My primary focus is on the assembly and functional annotation of the Podocoryna carnea refence genome. This small marine hydrozoan has a transparent body and rapid life cycle that allows studies of fundamental processes such regeneration, cell differentiation, and organismal development.

Podocoryna is an emerging model organism. Podocoryna carnea is a widespread hydrozoan with a complex life cycle that can help us to better understand the evolutionary origins of striated muscle tissues in cnidarians and bilaterians.
Podocoryna is an emerging model organism. Podocoryna carnea is a widespread hydrozoan with a complex life cycle that can help us to better understand the evolutionary origins of striated muscle tissues in cnidarians and bilaterians.

Research Interests

I am a molecular marine biologist that is interested the drivers of innovation in early animal evolution, and specifically how microbial symbiosis affects the ecology, evolution and diversification of marine invertebrates.

To learn more, please visit the Projects page.

Pocillopora corals are diverse. Different Pocillopora color morphs at Isla San Pedro in Isla San Pedro in Las Perlas, Panamá.
Pocillopora corals are diverse. Different Pocillopora color morphs at Isla San Pedro in Isla San Pedro in Las Perlas, Panamá.