Heather Olins
Associate Professor of the Practice
Heather Olins
Ph.D.
Contact
Higgins Hall 444A
Telephone: 617-552-2890
Email: heather.olins@bc.edu
ORCID
Education
- B.A., Wesleyan University
- M.A., Wesleyan University
- Ph.D., Harvard University
Courses
Ecology & Evolution, Deep Sea Biology and Microbiomes
Research Interests
microbial ecology, marine microbiology, chemosynthesis, geobiology, biogeochemistry
Department
Research
We live on a microbial planet, and the roles that microbes play in everything from global biogeochemical cycles to human health are only just beginning to be understood. I am interested in how the inorganic world influences microbial community composition, structure and function; and simultaneously, what impact does chemosynthetic microbial activity have on the surrounding environment and other microbial communities? Using tools such as high throughput genetic sequencing, co-registered听chemical measurements, metabolic rate measurements, microscopy, colonization samplers, and laboratory experiments, I work towards a better understanding of these questions in deep sea hydrothermal vent ecosystems as well as local freshwater wetlands.
I teach the foundational Ecology and Evolution course, upper-level courses related to ecology, microbial ecology, and marine biology as well as an advanced experience lab course where students will gain research experience in these fields.
Selected Publications
- 听HC Olins听- Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education 23 (3), e00108-22, 2022
- Olins H, Rogers D, Preston C, Ussler W, Pargett D, Jensen S, Roman B, et al. (2017). . Frontiers in Microbiology 8: 1042.
- Gartman A, Picard A,听Olins H, Sarode N, Clark D, Girguis P (2017). . ACS Earth and Space Chemistry. DOI: 10.1021/acsearthspacechem.7b00042
- Olins H, Rogers D, Frank K, Vidoudez C, Girguis, P. (2013). . Geobiology, 11: 279-293.
- Frank K, Rogers D,听Olins H, Vidoudez C, Girguis P. (2013). . ISME Journal, 7(7): 1391-1401.