Courtney Klepac

Courtney Klepac is a Researcher at Stanford University's Hopkins Marine Station, focusing on coral resilience under climate change. She holds a B.S. in Marine Biology from Texas A&M University Galveston, an M.S. in Biology from Florida Atlantic University (Voss Lab), and a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolution from Old Dominion University (Barshis Lab). Her postdoctoral work at More Marine Laboratory examined coral nursery resilience under stressors like temperature and acidification. At Stanford, she collaborates on the NSF-funded 'Super Reefs' project, mapping coral heat resistance across Pacific reefs and training local researchers. Her work integrates environmental factors, physiological plasticity, and genetic adaptation to predict coral responses to climate change and identify resilient strains for conservation.

Research interests emphasize symbiotic associations, coral stress tolerance, and restoration strategies. She employs tools like the Coral Bleaching Automated Stress System (CBASS) and digital twin technology. Courtney actively engages in community science, particularly mentoring students in coral experiments. Beyond academia, she enjoys outdoor activities with her family.

• Education:
• B.S., Marine Biology, Texas A&M University Galveston
• M.S., Biology, Florida Atlantic University
• Ph.D., Ecology and Evolution, Old Dominion University

Her NSF-funded projects underscore her commitment to bridging science and conservation, aiming to provide actionable insights for coral reef management.