Stephen R. Palumbi
Stanford University
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Primary Section: 63, Environmental Sciences and Ecology Secondary Section: 27, Evolutionary Biology Membership Type:
Member
(elected 2016)
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Biosketch
Steve teaches and does research in evolution and marine biology at Stanford University, and has long been fascinated by how quickly the world around us changes. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Steve has worked in Washington State, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and California. Work on the genetics of marine organisms tries to focus on basic evolutionary questions but also on practical solutions to questions about how to preserve and protect the diverse life in the sea.
Steve has lectured extensively on human-induced evolutionary change, has used genetic detective work to identify whales for sale in retail markets, and is working on new methods to help find species resistant to climate change. Steve’s latest book for non-scientists is about the amazing species in the sea, written with Steve’s son and novelist Anthony. "The Extreme Life of the Sea" tells you about the fastest species in the sea, and hottest, coldest, oldest etc. Just a few years ago Steve and Carolyn Sotka published an unusual environmental success story called "The Death and Life of Monterey Bay: A Story of Revival." His first science book for non-scientists "The Evolution Explosion" explored how human accelerate evolutionary change in the species around us. Steve helped write, research and also appears in the BBC series "The Future is Wild" and the History Channel's "World Without People." Other recent films appearances include "The End of the Line" and the Canadian Broadcasting series "One Ocean." Major work continues on the microdocumentary project, the "Short Attention Span Science Theater."
Steve holds a PhD from the University of Washington, and a BA from The Johns Hopkins University. He has received numerous awards for research and conservation, including a Pew Fellowship in Marine Conservation. He lives in Pacific Grove, CA with his family and is based at Stanford’s Hopkins Marine Station.
