Heather Coleman

Heather Coleman coordinates the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program within the NOAA Fisheries Office of Habitat Conservation. In this role, she enjoys working with researchers from around the country and translating results for resource managers. Prior to joining NOAA, Heather worked at the National Academy of Sciences, synthesizing best practices for monitoring restoration in the Gulf of Mexico, and at the Pacific Marine Analysis and Research Association, leading a capacity-building program on tools to facilitate marine spatial planning. Her Ph.D. research at the University of California, Santa Barbara, focused on ecological and demographic effects of natural oil seeps on marine invertebrate populations. Her M.A. research covered the history, politics, social dynamics, ecological effects, costs, and benefits of estuarine restoration in Istanbul, Turkey. Heather has also researched shallow-water coral reef community dynamics, ecological effects of marine debris, oceanic biogeochemical cycling, and invasive plant ecology and has led volunteer programs to restore kelp forests and clean the beaches of her home city, Los Angeles, California.