Barbara Block

Barbara Block is the Charles and Elizabeth Prothro Professor of Marine Sciences and Professor of Oceans at Stanford University, with a secondary appointment as a Senior Fellow at the Woods Institute for the Environment. She is affiliated with the Hopkins Marine Station, a leading research facility for marine studies. Her education includes a B.A. in Zoology from the University of Vermont (1980) and a Ph.D. in Zoology from Duke University (1986).

Block's research focuses on marine predator ecology, climate change impacts, and ocean conservation. She pioneered the use of biotelemetry to track species like tuna and sharks, revealing migration patterns and habitat use. Her work integrates technology (e.g., satellite tags, environmental DNA) with ecological modeling to address conservation challenges, fisheries management, and climate adaptation.

Her recent articles emphasize the effects of climate change on marine ecosystems, the behavior of top predators, and the utility of sharks and tuna as ocean observing platforms. She collaborates globally on initiatives like the Tagging of Pacific Pelagics (TOPP) program and advises on large marine protected areas (MPAs). Block leads the Block Lab, which develops innovative methods for studying marine life and informing policy.

Her lab’s work includes projects on the White Shark Café—a critical foraging area for white sharks—and the ecological implications of tuna spawning in the Mediterranean. She advocates for interdisciplinary approaches to ocean sustainability, blending ecology, technology, and policy.