Sebastian Heilpern

Sebastian Heilpern serves as Acting Assistant Professor in Stanford University's Department of Earth System Science, transitioning to Assistant Professor in January 2026. An ecologist and sustainability scientist, he investigates biodiversity change in aquatic ecosystems—particularly the Amazon basin—and its implications for human well-being through food systems, renewable energy, and public health lenses. His research integrates fieldwork, data science, and synthesis across local to global scales.

His educational background includes:

• PhD in Ecology, Evolution & Environmental Biology from Columbia University (2020)
• MS in Ecology & Evolution from the University of Chicago (2015)
• BS in Biological Sciences from Cornell University (2011)

Heilpern's research centers on identifying synergies between biodiversity conservation and societal objectives. His work examines how aquatic biodiversity sustains nutritional security through fisheries, assesses hydropower's socio-ecological tradeoffs, and develops climate-smart planning frameworks. By connecting ecological processes to human outcomes, he advances sustainability science through interdisciplinary approaches that bridge environmental and social domains.

His 2023-2025 publications reveal dominant themes in Amazonian freshwater systems, fisheries nutrition, and renewable energy planning. Key trends include quantifying biodiversity's role in dietary resilience, optimizing hydropower development to minimize ecological harm, and establishing mercury-nutrition linkages in fish consumption. His work consistently emphasizes win-win solutions that align conservation with food/energy security.

Award highlights:

• Eric & Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellowship at Cornell University

As principal investigator of Stanford's Biodiversity Lab, Heilpern leads research reconciling conservation with food, energy, and water security. His team prioritizes equity in science practice while addressing historical inequities. Current projects focus on Amazonian freshwater systems, sustainable aquaculture siting, and climate-resilient energy planning, supported by interdisciplinary collaborations across ecology, data science, and policy domains.

The Biodiversity Lab actively recruits researchers through structured opportunities emphasizing diversity and justice in sustainability science. Laboratory values explicitly center on correcting science's inequitable legacy while advancing stronger ecological understanding through inclusive practices.