Holly V. Moeller

Holly V. Moeller is an Associate Professor in the Department of Ecology, Evolution & Marine Biology at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She earned a B.A. in Chemistry and Biology from Rutgers University, a Masters in Biological Oceanography from the MIT/WHOI Joint Program, and a Ph.D. in Terrestrial Ecology from the University of California system. Her research focuses on acquired metabolism—how organisms expand ecological niches by incorporating metabolic pathways from other species, such as chloroplast theft in marine protists or tree-fungal mutualisms. She combines mathematical modeling, field observations, and lab experiments to study these phenomena.

• Education:
  • B.A., Chemistry & Biology, Rutgers University
  • M.S., Biological Oceanography, MIT/WHOI Joint Program
  • Ph.D., Terrestrial Ecology, University of California

Moeller’s work spans diverse systems, including Mesodinium ciliates (studying how chloroplast theft stabilizes microbial communities), tree-ectomycorrhizal fungal networks (exploring biodiversity’s role in mutualism), and mixotrophs under climate change (modeling evolutionary tradeoffs). Her lab emphasizes eco-evolutionary theory and bioenergetic frameworks to predict ecological outcomes.

She has received funding from the National Science Foundation (including the CAREER award), Simons Foundation, and Army Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies. Her research also explores epigenetic mechanisms in coral bioenergetics and optimal control theory in biological systems.

Scientific Awards:

• NSF CAREER Award