Grace Klinges is a molecular and microbial ecologist who conducts both lab- and reef-based studies to investigate the mechanisms behind coral stress resistance and to maximize allelic diversity on restored reefs. Her research centers on the contributions of heritable genetic variations and coral-associated microorganisms to coral stress tolerance. Grace earned her PhD in Microbiology at Oregon State University in 2021. Prior to joining GDCS, Grace was a postdoctoral researcher at Mote Marine Laboratory’s International Center for Coral Reef Research & Restoration in the Florida Keys, focusing on the integration of stress resilience into large-scale reef restoration.
Grace is an Assistant Research Scientist with the ʻĀkoʻaʻkoʻa Reef Restoration Program at the Ridge to Reef Restoration Center (3RC) in Kailua-Kona.