Katie Sheahan is a Colorado native and marine scientist who grew up exploring the mountains and fell in love with the ocean during family travels. After earning both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Colorado (CU) Boulder, she conducted research on cnidarian symbiosis and coral health in the Florida Keys. Now serving as Science Liaison at The International SeaKeepers Society, Katie has a passion for bridging science and storytelling. By connecting researchers with vessels, developing science programs, and sharing marine discoveries with the public through initiatives like the Voyages of DISCOVERY podcast, she hopes to connect even the most land-locked communities to the ocean on a deep and personal level.
PUBLICATIONS & CONTRIBUTIONS:
- Sheahan, K., Zarate, D., Chalifour, B., & Li, J. (2023). Intraspecific transfer of algal symbionts can occur in photosymbiotic Exaiptasia sea anemones. Symbiosis, 89(1), 139-148.
- Sheahan, K. (2021). Interspecific and Intraspecific Transfer of Symbiodiniaceae in Symbiotic Cnidarian Model Organisms (master’s thesis, University of Colorado Boulder).
- Zarate, D., Sheahan, K., & Li, J. (2024). Effective learning through a remote lab kit in an undergraduate invertebrate biology course. Journal of College Science Teaching, 53(2), 111-120.
- Zarate, D., Sheahan, K., Avila-Magaña, V., Silvester, H. K., Carver, S., & Li, J. (2024). Photosymbiont diversity and acquisition by the sea anemone Exaiptasia spp. in an estuarine habitat of Key Largo, Florida. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 572, 151991.
PROJECTS & CAMPAIGNS:
- Voyages of DISCOVERY Podcast (2024 – Present): Host of SeaKeepers’ official podcast sharing global marine research stories
- SeaKeepers’ Seabed 2030 Project – SeaKeepers CSB (2023 – Present): Leads the United Nations Ocean Decade Project for SeaKeepers’ crowdsourced bathymetry program
- Neuston Net Research Collective (2022 – 2024): Created and led a global citizen science initiative collecting microplastic and biodiversity data
- Seabed 2030 Trusted Node Program (2022 – Present): Guided SeaKeepers’ involvement in the Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 mapping mission
- K-8 Marine Science Summer Programs (2019): Developed and taught hands-on ocean education for landlocked students at Ocean First Institute in Boulder, Colorado
AWARDS & RECOGNITION:
- Colorado Student of the Year (2015): Awarded as recipient for District 12 in Colorado Springs
- Magna Cum Laude, University of Colorado Boulder (2019): Graduated with honors in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
- Outstanding Colorado Student Award (2016–2019): Recognized for academic excellence throughout undergraduate studies
- Research Grant Recipient (2020–2021): Supported independent marine symbiosis research at CU Boulder