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Stephanie Galla

Assistant Professor in Avian Biology , Department of Biological Sciences

Stephanie Galla holding a bird in the field

Email: stephaniegalla@boisestate.edu

Office: Science Building, Room 102A

Lab: Science Building, Room 163

Mailing Address:
Department of Biological Science
Boise State University
1910 University Dr.
Boise, ID 83725-1515

Conservation Genetics Lab logo
Click the image to check out Conservation Genetics lab

About Me

I grew up in northern Illinois, not too far from Chicago. In the summers, my family and I would go to Lake Michigan to climb the sand dunes and swim in the lake. My first ‘spark’ for the natural world started while watching Caspian Terns dart in the sky and dive into the cool waters. Since then, I’ve had the privilege to develop this spark into a career to better understand avian diversity in a changing world.

Research Interests

I am interested in interdisciplinary conservation efforts for birds in decline, and in particular, how genomic technologies can inform management decisions. Using DNA, our team explores the adaptive capacity of birds to be resilient in a changing world. As the PI of the Conservation Genetics Lab at Boise State University and a co-founder of the Kindness In Science Collective, I am excited to build an inclusive research environment where early career researchers have the structure and support they need to achieve their research goals.

Publications

See Dr. Galla’s GoogleScholar Page here for more details.

Academics/ Positions/ Experience

  • 2020-2022: Postdoctoral Researcher, Boise State University
  • 2019-2020: Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Canterbury (New Zealand)
  • 2015-2019: PhD in Evolutionary Biology, University of Canterbury (New Zealand)
  • 2013-2015: Habitat Conservation Coordinator, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
  • 2010-2013: MSc in Biology, University of North Texas
  • 2005-2009: BSc in Wildlife Biology, Murray State University

Current Research

Our lab group—The Conservation Genetics Lab at Boise State University—is co-developing two research projects for Fall 2023. The first will use metabarcoding to better understand diet in Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus) across their range. The second will use whole genome sequencing to understand diversity and immune resilience in Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus).

Teaching

EEB604 (Science and Communication)
BIOL 310 (Genetics)