Michael BUNCE

Mike trained in genetics and then used his DNA skills within the fields of ancient and environmental DNA. He spent the last two decades (at Universities in Oxford, Canada and Australia) extracting DNA from a wide variety of biological material – from fossil bones and ice cores through to seawater. Mike is passionate about using DNA tools to listen to nature and enhance decision making. Mike has published over 220 academic papers including ten in Science and Nature. In 2019, Mike left the University system to work as a Chief Science Advisor within Aotearoa, New Zealand in environmental and conservation portfolios. Mike’s current role is the director of OceanOmics and Ecosystem intelligence at the Minderoo Foundation – Australia’s largest philanthropy. His role is to empower communities and decision makers with emerging technologies like environmental DNA (eDNA). Mike’s team at Minderoo runs partnerships with IUCN, UNESCO and Island Conservation. In recent years his focus has been on making eDNA tools accessible to everyone and improving ways in which complex data can drive conservation outcomes.