Evolutionary biology · Comparative genomics · Marine conservation

Michael T. Connelly, Ph.D.

I use genomics and computational biology to understand how animal diversity evolves—from the origins of cell types in early animals to hidden biodiversity and microbial partnerships in coral reefs.

Postdoctoral Researcher · National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health

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Michael Connelly in the field

Research overview

Answering evolutionary questions with genomic evidence

My research combines comparative genomics, phylogenomics, and single-cell transcriptomics to investigate how genomes, cells, and symbioses shape animal diversity. I work primarily with cnidarians, such as jellyfish and corals, which offer powerful perspectives on the evolution of animal tissues, regeneration, immunity, and marine biodiversity.

Polyp colonies and medusae in the Podocoryna life cycle

Cell-type evolution

How did animal cells and tissues evolve?

At NHGRI, I study the hydrozoan Podocoryna using genome resources and single-cell RNA sequencing to investigate cell-type diversity, differentiation, and the evolution of specialized tissues such as striated muscle.

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Different Pocillopora coral forms from the eastern tropical Pacific

Biodiversity & conservation

What diversity is hidden in coral reefs?

I apply phylogenomics and museum genomics to resolve species boundaries in Pocillopora corals, connecting evolutionary history to coral distributions and conservation.

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Research figure from work on coral-associated microbial communities

Host–microbe interactions

How do symbioses shape animal biology?

My work investigates how coral-associated bacteria and symbiotic algae relate to host physiology, immune responses, and evolutionary diversification.

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Selected contributions

2026
A chromosome-level reference genome for Podocoryna americana

Co-first author · G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

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2025
Genome skimming illuminates hidden species diversity and Symbiodiniaceae associations in east Pacific Pocillopora corals

First author · Genome Biology and Evolution

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2024
Unlocking the treasure trove: leveraging dry coral specimens for museum genomics

First author · Coral Reefs

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2023
Antibiotics reduce Pocillopora coral-associated bacteria diversity, decrease holobiont oxygen consumption, and activate immune gene expression

First author · Molecular Ecology

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Methods and research toolkit

Comparative genomicsGenome assembly & annotationPhylogenomicsSingle-cell RNA-seqTranscriptomicsHost–microbe systemsMuseum genomicsBioinformatics workflows

I value collaborative, reproducible research that connects robust computational analyses with biological questions and conservation needs. My work has taken me from molecular laboratories and museum collections to coral reefs in the eastern tropical Pacific.

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