Heather Craig Olins

Heather Craig Olins is an Associate Professor of the Practice in the Biology Department at Boston College, with an affiliation in the Environmental Studies Program. Her work bridges cutting-edge microbial research with innovative science education.

Her educational background includes:

• B.A. from Wesleyan University
• M.A. from Wesleyan University
• Ph.D. from Harvard University

Dr. Olins' research focuses on microbial ecology in extreme environments, particularly deep sea hydrothermal vents and freshwater wetlands. She investigates how inorganic factors shape microbial communities and how chemosynthetic activity influences environmental processes. Her expertise spans marine microbiology, geobiology, and biogeochemistry, with growing emphasis on science communication and pedagogical innovation.

Her publication record reveals two distinct trajectories: foundational work on hydrothermal vent microbial ecosystems using integrated geochemical and molecular approaches, and recent expansion into biology education research examining course structure and student learning outcomes.

Dr. Olins teaches the foundational Ecology and Evolution course, upper-level courses in microbial ecology and marine biology, and an advanced research lab course providing hands-on experience. She maintains active engagement with scientific communities through workshops and public outreach initiatives.

Her laboratory employs high-throughput genetic sequencing, co-registered chemical measurements, and specialized colonization samplers to study microbial processes across diverse environments from deep-sea vents to local wetlands.