Krista Nichols, Ph.D.

Background

Krista joined the Conservation Biology division as a Research Molecular Geneticist in January 2012. Krista holds a B.S. in Marine Science from the University of South Carolina, a M.S. degree in Fisheries and Wildlife from Michigan State University, and a Ph.D. in Zoology from Washington State University. After completing her Ph.D., Krista was a National Research Council post-doctoral fellow at the Center from 2003-2005, and from there joined the faculty at Purdue University. Immediately prior to joining the CB division, Krista was an Associate Professor at Purdue University in the Departments of Biological Sciences and Forestry and Natural Resources, with an active research program in ecological genomics and genetics of aquatic organisms. Krista is currently the Program Manager for the Genetics and Evolution Program in the Conservation Biology Division, and she co-leads the NOAA Fisheries Genomics Strategic Initiative. 

Current Research

Krista's research focuses on the genetics and genomics of aquatic organisms, including the genetic basis of adaptation. Current projects include the use of genetic and genomic tools to evaluate population boundaries and adaptation of protected and assessed marine and anadromous species, evaluation of extant genetic diversity through molecular ecology and quantitative genetics studies in anadromous and cultured species, and environmental DNA studies to evaluate marine species distribution and relative abundance.