Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg is a preeminent marine biologist whose pioneering work has fundamentally transformed understanding of coral reef responses to global environmental change. He currently serves as Professor of Marine Studies at the University of Queensland in Brisbane where he previously established and directed the Global Change Institute for over a decade. His distinguished academic career includes deputy directorship of the Centre for Excellence in Coral Reef Studies and an affiliated professorship at the University of Copenhagen since 2016. Following his 1989 PhD from the University of California Los Angeles focusing on coral physiology, he has maintained a leadership trajectory spanning more than three decades that combines rigorous scientific inquiry with institutional innovation. His election to the Australian Academy of Science in 2013 underscores his standing as one of Australia's most significant scientific figures.
Hoegh-Guldberg's groundbreaking research has established him as one of the world's most cited climate change scientists with over 50,000 citations, particularly for his landmark 1999 publication that first systematically predicted widespread coral reef loss by 2050 due to ocean warming and acidification. His discovery of the molecular mechanism behind mass coral bleaching earned him the prestigious Eureka Prize and fundamentally reshaped scientific understanding of reef ecosystem vulnerabilities. As Coordinating Lead Author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, he shaped critical assessments including the Fifth Assessment Report's oceans chapter and the Special Report on 1.5°C warming, providing authoritative scientific foundations for global climate policy. His visionary XL-Catlin Seaview Survey meticulously documented over 1,000 kilometers of coral reefs across 25 countries, generating an unprecedented database of reef health that continues to inform conservation strategies worldwide.
Beyond his research contributions, Hoegh-Guldberg has raised more than 150 million dollars for marine science infrastructure and initiatives, demonstrating exceptional leadership in translating scientific knowledge into actionable conservation frameworks. Ove Hoegh-Guldberg is Chief Scientist of the Great Barrier Reef Foundation while spearheading the international Coral Reef Rescue Initiative with WWF to protect 50 climate-resilient reef sites across seven countries. His commitment to science communication has led to collaborations with renowned environmental filmmakers including Sir David Attenborough, making complex climate science accessible to global audiences. As an influential advisor and communicator, Hoegh-Guldberg continues to bridge the critical gap between scientific understanding and policy implementation, driving innovative solutions to preserve marine biodiversity in the face of accelerating climate change.
