Helen Julia Killeen, Ph.D.
Helen studies the influence of climate change and human activity on the distribution and demographics of marine species. She is passionate about using science to identify and improve promising approaches to conservation that lead to healthy ecosystems and communities. Helen completed her doctorate at the University of California, Davis where she studied the biophysical responses of plankton to natural and human-driven environmental variability in the California Current. During her Ph.D., Helen also collaborated with the Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions, the California Collaborative Fisheries Research Program, and California Sea Grant on projects related to marine protected area design and management in the Pacific Ocean. She also worked with the American Fisheries Society and the White House National Ocean Council to advance policies that protect U.S. marine ecosystems while supporting coastal communities. Helen is a former high school science teacher who prioritizes inclusive teaching, mentorship, and community participation in all aspects of her research and advocacy.
Current projects:
Global analysis of ocean stratification impacts on seabird demographics: this project investigates the relationship between surface ocean stratification driven by climate change and seabird reproductive success across species and ecosystems. Uniting seabird datasets from around the world, oceanographic models and remote sensing data, this study will provide insight on how seabirds are responding to a key climate change process globally.
Selected publications:
Helen Killeen. Applications of environmental DNA (eDNA) use in large ocean state marine protected areas: A review of the limiting and enabling conditions for eDNA use in the Western Pacific. Report for Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions. 2022.
Eliza Oldach, Helen Killeen, et al. 2022. Managed and unmanaged whale mortality in the California Current Ecosystem. Marine Policy. [pdf]
Helen Killeen, Jeffrey Dorman, William Sydeman, Connor Dibble, Steven Morgan. 2021. Effects of a marine heatwave on adult body length of three numerically dominant krill species in the California Current Ecosystem. ICES Journal of Marine Science. [pdf]
Connect:
hkilleen at faralloninstitute.org
helenkilleen.wordpress.com
Twitter: @HelenKilleen