Dimitri Deheyn

Dimitri Deheyn is a marine biologist and research scientist at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego. His areas of expertise include bioluminescence and biofluorescence—magical signals from nature that are especially prevalent in biodiverse regions such as along the coastline of Central America, where the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans meet. From assessing coral reef health through biofluorescence to identifying technological advantages afforded by bioluminescence, as well as through studying the impact of microplastics, Dimitri’s research raises awareness for a more sustainable future. His experience is also deeply rooted in the field of environmental toxicology, where he uses the change of an organism’s ability to produce light as an early sensor of stress.

Dimitri grew up in Africa and South America, and he completed his PhD in Belgium where he started his academic career as a marine biologist. He has taught coral reef ecology in Panama and conducted research in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and the polar regions. His intercontinental past has shaped his global and cross-disciplinary perspective of scientific research, making him an expert generalist. Much of his work today aims at understanding aspects of biology to describe novel materials and compounds that can support a healthy future for societies. He is a 2017 Fellow National of The Explorers Club.

Language spoken: English and French

Photo credit: Jeff Dillon