Kim Bernard

Kim Bernard is a Professor at Oregon State University (OSU), affiliated with the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences (CEOAS). She leads the Bernard Zooplankton Ecology Lab, focusing on how climate change and anthropogenic factors influence polar zooplankton ecology, particularly Antarctic krill. Her work integrates physical oceanography and ecological dynamics to understand ecosystem responses to environmental changes.

Education: BSc(Hons), MSc, and PhD from Rhodes University, South Africa (2001–2007). Her research spans krill physiology, predator-prey interactions, and the role of physical oceanographic features in structuring marine ecosystems. She has pioneered projects like Project SWARM and collaborates on initiatives such as Polar STEAM to enhance public engagement in polar science.

Key research areas include krill reproductive biology, humpback whale-krill relationships, and the impacts of climate change on Antarctic ecosystems. Her work emphasizes the importance of subsurface eddies and Lagrangian coherent structures in sustaining biological hotspots. She actively promotes interdisciplinary approaches, bridging science with education and art.

Grants and projects include collaborative efforts on Antarctic krill recruitment, ecosystem-based management, and the ecological role of invasive species like Pyrosoma atlanticum. Her lab’s outreach efforts aim to broaden participation in polar research through STEAM collaborations with educators and artists.