Heather Galindo
Hopkins Marine Station
Stanford University
Oceanview Blvd
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
Tel: (831) 655-6210
Fax: (831) 655-6215
Email:
Education
Ph.D. Candidate, Biological Sciences, Stanford University
B.S. Oceanography, University of Washington, 2000
B.A. English, University of Washington, 2000
Heather Galindo’s research focuses on developing new ways to use population genetics to measure the biological connections via larval dispersal among marine populations. By applying genetic tools in an ecological framework, it is possible to gain information that is useful for stakeholders, policy-makers, and scientists. As part of the Bahamas Biocomplexity Project, Heather collaborated with her Ph.D. advisor Stephen Palumbi and Don Olson to use information about ocean currents to predict genetic patterns in Caribbean corals. The coupling of oceanographic and population genetic simulation models allows for the prediction of broad-scale genetic patterns that can be easily compared against empirical datasets. At the other end of the scale of using genetics to measure dispersal, Heather’s research also involves using multi-locus genetic assignment tests to get an individual-based view of larval dispersal in an intertidal barnacle over several settlement seasons. In addition to this research, Heather is also working on a project investigating effective ways to communicate the concept of biological connectivity to non-scientists.