Katie Barott

Katie Barott is an Associate Professor of Biology at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Arts & Sciences. Her research focuses on coral-microbial symbiosis, coral reef resilience, and the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems. She leads a lab investigating ion transport, acid-base regulation, and metabolic responses in corals under environmental stressors like temperature and ocean acidification. Her work integrates cell biology, physiology, and field experiments to understand holobiont dynamics.

Education:

• B.S., Michigan State University, 2006
• Ph.D., San Diego State University/UC San Diego, 2012
• Postdoc, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, 2012-2015
• Postdoc, Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, 2015-2017

Research Interests: Dr. Barott examines how symbiotic relationships between corals and microbes influence ecosystem health. Her lab explores physiological adaptations to stress, including pH sensing mechanisms, calcification pathways, and symbiont dynamics. Recent work emphasizes environmental memory effects and acclimatization potential in corals exposed to recurring heatwaves and acidification.

Publications: Over 30 peer-reviewed articles highlight her lab’s contributions to coral symbiosis, stress physiology, and ecosystem resilience. Recent studies reveal how diel pCO2 variability enhances coral acid-base homeostasis, and how heatwave history shapes recovery trajectories. Her work bridges molecular mechanisms with ecosystem-scale observations.

Labs/Teams: The Barott Lab at UPenn focuses on integrative approaches to coral physiology and climate adaptation. Collaborations span institutions like NOAA, the World Wildlife Fund, and international marine observatories to advance conservation strategies.