A/Prof Brendan Burns

Since returning from a post-doc in Germany, Brendan has led research on modern microbial mats and stromatolites - complex geomicrobial communities that are analogues of the very earliest evidence of life on Earth. Using these ancient life forms as blueprints, Brendan has also consulted with NASA to better focus efforts on the search for signals that may help in the detection of life on other planets. Our work has demonstrated the importance of developing an integrated approach for studying the functional diversity of biological systems, which may be applied to other evolutionary important environments around the world.

Nationally, Brendan’s research has been recognised with the award of the 2005 Eureka Prize for Interdisciplinary Scientific Research, Australia's premier science awards and an extremely prestigious honour. Other awards include Kanagawa Museum of Natural History Award (2003), Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Invitation Fellowship (2004), and an Australia Institute of Political Science Tall Poppy Award (2005). Brendan has also demonstrated a real commitment to communicating science to the general public with numerous radio and print articles, involvement in film projects (a 3D IMAX movie directed by James Cameron), and appearances in court as an expert witness.

Brendan is also Coordinator of the Honours program in the School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences and is also Deputy Director of the Australian Centre for Astrobiology.