Professional Appointments
(Feb. 2023 - Present) Research Scientist. Northern Gulf Institute and NOAA
(Dec. 2021 -Jan. 2023) Assistant Marine Scientist. South Carolina Dept. of Natural Resources
(July 2019 -Nov. 2021) Postdoctoral Fellow. Auburn University, Supervisor: Dr. Eric Peatman
(April 2019-June 2019) Postdoctoral Fellow. Georgia Institute of Technology, Supervisor: Dr. Annalise Paaby
Education
(2013 - 2019) Ph.D. University of Chicago, Committee on Evolutionary Biology, Advisor: Dr. Catherine Pfister
(2009 - 2013) B.S. in Marine Science/Biology. University of Miami, Research Advisor: Dr. Carla Hurt
(2009 - 2013) B.A. in Music (Tuba). University of Miami, Frost School of Music
Publications
Silliman, K., Spencer, L.H. (co-1st author), White, S.J., W., & Roberts, S.B. (2023) Epigenetic and Genetic Population Structure is Coupled in a Marine Invertebrate. Genome Biology and Evolution. 15(2):evad013 Open Access Link. Github Repo.
Silliman, K., Zhao, H., Justice, M., Thongda, W., Bowen, B, & Peatman, E. (2021) Complex introgression among three diverged largemouth bass lineages. Evolutionary Applications. 14:2815-2830. Open Access Link. Github Repo.
Lewis, M.R., Silliman, K., Sammons, S.M., & Peatman, E.J. (2021) Failure of phenotypic markers to accurately identify black bass species and associated hybrids in Mobile River Basin, Alabama. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. 41:1591–1601. Contact for PDF.
Silliman, K., Indorf, J.L., Knowlton, N., Browne, W.E., & Hurt, C. (2021) Base-substitution mutation rate across the nuclear genome of Alpheus snapping shrimp and the timing of isolation by the Isthmus of Panama. BMC Ecology and Evolution. 21(104). Open Access Link.
Bitter, M.C., Kapsenberg, L., Silliman, K., Gattuso, J.-P., & Pfister, C.A. (2021) Magnitude and predictability of pH fluctuations shape plastic responses to ocean acidification. American Naturalist 197(4):486-501. Link. Manuscript Repo.
Zhao, H., Silliman, K., Lewis, M., Johnson, S., Kratina, G., Rider, S.J., Stepien, C.A., Hallerman, E.M., Beck, B., Fuller, A., Peatman, E. (2020) SNP analyses highlight a unique, imperiled southern walleye (Sander vitreus) in the Mobile River Basin. Canadian J. of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 77(8): 1366-1378. Link.
Silliman, K., (2019) Population structure, genetic connectivity, and adaptation in the Olympia oyster (Ostrea lurida) along the west coast of North America. Evolutionary Applications 12: 923-939. Open Access Link. Manuscript Repo.
Silliman, K., Bowyer, T., & Roberts, S. (2018) Consistent differences in fitness traits across multiple generations of Olympia oysters. Scientific Reports 8:6080. Article Link. Manuscript Repo.
White, S., Vadopalas, B., Silliman, K., & Roberts, S. (2017) Genotype-by-sequencing of three geographically distinct populations of Olympia oysters, Ostrea lurida. Scientific Data 4: 170130. Link.
Hurt, C., Silliman, K., Anker, A., & Knowlton, N. (2013) Ecological speciation in anemone-associated snapping shrimps (Alpheus armatus species complex). Molecular Ecology 22(17): 4532-48.
Select Presentations
Silliman, K., Zhao, H., Justice, M., Thongda, W., Bowen, B., & Peatman, E. Diagnostic SNPs for determining genetic integrity and hybridization among Delta, Largemouth Bass, and Florida Bass. (2021) Southern Division American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting. Virtual. 20 min.
Silliman, K., Lowell, N., Roberts, S., Hauser, L. Comparative transcriptomics of Olympia oysters (Ostrea lurida) and rock scallops (Crassadoma gigantea) in response to ocean acidification. (2019) National Shellfisheries Association meeting. New Orleans, LA. 15 min. Link.
Silliman, K. Variation in gene expression among Olympia oysters from California, Oregon, and British Columbia. (2018) National Shellfisheries Association meeting. Seattle, WA. 15 min. Link.
Silliman, K. Genetic and Phenotypic Differentiation in the Olympia Oyster (Ostrea lurida). (2017) Midwest Population Genetics Conference. East Lansing, MI. Winner of best poster presentation. Link.
Silliman, K., Eernisse, D. Phylogeography and population genomics of the Olympia oyster. (2017) Evolution Meeting. Portland, OR. 15 min. Slides. Video.
Silliman, K., Bower, T., Roberts, S. Phenotypic, genetic, and epigenetic population structure of Olympia oysters in Puget Sound, Washington. (2017) Evolution Meeting. Portland, OR. Poster Presentation. Link.
Silliman, K., Bower, T., Roberts, S. Phenotypic, genetic, and epigenetic population structure of Olympia oysters in Puget Sound, Washington. (2017) National Shellfisheries Association. Knoxville, TN. 15 min. Link.
Silliman, K., Eernisse, D., Walter, R. Population genomics and phylogeography of the Olympia oyster. (2017) Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology. New Orleans, LA. 15 minutes.
Silliman, K., Indorf, J., Hurt, C., Browne, W. Rate of DNA mutations across the genome of Alpheus snapping shrimp. (2017) Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology. New Orleans, LA. Poster Presentation. Link.
Silliman, K., Hench, J., Forward, R., Schultz, T. A transcriptomic approach to circatidal rhythms. (2013) American Society for Limnology and Oceanography annual meeting. New Orleans, LA. Poster Presentation.
Honors and Awards
(2020) RCN-ECS Working Group, Funding for Undergraduate Internships [$9,000] [Proposal, co-written with Sam Bogan]
(2016) NSF Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant [$12,697] [Proposal]
(2016) National Geographic Young Explorers Grant [$4,500]
(2015) NSF Graduate Research Fellowship [Personal]
(2015) AFS Berkeley Marine Conservation Award, Runner-Up [$1,000]
(2015) National Shellfisheries Association Carriker Grant [$1,250]
(2015 & 2014) University of Chicago Hinds Fund Research Award [$3,125]
(2013) Dept. of Biology Senior of the Year, University of Miami
(2009-2013) Isaac Singer Merit Scholarship, University of Miami, full tuition
(2016) NSF Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant [$12,697] [Proposal]
(2016) National Geographic Young Explorers Grant [$4,500]
(2015) NSF Graduate Research Fellowship [Personal]
(2015) AFS Berkeley Marine Conservation Award, Runner-Up [$1,000]
(2015) National Shellfisheries Association Carriker Grant [$1,250]
(2015 & 2014) University of Chicago Hinds Fund Research Award [$3,125]
(2013) Dept. of Biology Senior of the Year, University of Miami
(2009-2013) Isaac Singer Merit Scholarship, University of Miami, full tuition
Teaching Experience
(Fall Quarter 2018) Co-instructor: TA Training for Biological Sciences. Prepared and co-taught a 10 week pedagogy course for graduate students in biological sciences.
(Spring Quarter 2018) TA: Desert Ecology for Bio Majors. Primary literature discussion section, 50 min (18).
(Fall Quarter 2017) Co-instructor: TA Training for Biological Sciences.
(Spring Quarter 2017) TA: Biodiversity. Laboratory section 170 min (9), grading, writing exam questions.
(Spring Quarter 2016) Mentorship: Undergraduate assistant, Tynan Bower
(Winter Quarter 2016) TA: Marine Ecology. 80 min lecture, review sessions, grading.
(Spring Semester 2013) TA: Chemical Oceanography. Laboratory section 150 min (10).
(Spring Quarter 2018) TA: Desert Ecology for Bio Majors. Primary literature discussion section, 50 min (18).
(Fall Quarter 2017) Co-instructor: TA Training for Biological Sciences.
(Spring Quarter 2017) TA: Biodiversity. Laboratory section 170 min (9), grading, writing exam questions.
(Spring Quarter 2016) Mentorship: Undergraduate assistant, Tynan Bower
(Winter Quarter 2016) TA: Marine Ecology. 80 min lecture, review sessions, grading.
(Spring Semester 2013) TA: Chemical Oceanography. Laboratory section 150 min (10).
Recent Outreach Activities
(February 2021) Virtual speaker for Students Engaging in the Environment through Discovery and Science (SEEDS) elementary school program at Yorkshire Academy.
(February 2018) KICP Life Long Learning Series speaker, "Beyond Global Warming: Human Impacts on the World's Oceans", Sulzer Regional Library.
(May 2017) KICP Life Long Learning Series speaker, "Beyond Global Warming: Human Impacts on the World's Oceans", Renaissance Court Regional Senior Center. Link.
(Nov 2014- April 2017) Sisters4Science facilitator, Ariel Community School and Orozco Academy, program emphasizing leadership through scientific exploration for middle school girls. Link.
(September 2016) PopUp Science Event, Homewood Science Center, hosted a station demonstrating the effect of water temperature on dissolved oxygen while linking to climate change and local aquatic habitats. Link.
(June 2016) Native Shellfish Hatchery Open House, NOAA Manchester Research Station, talked about shellfish restoration practices and ongoing research (including my own!) into how native shellfish may respond to global change. Link.
(2010-2012) Ocean Kids event workshop leader, designed and led activities demonstrating coral diversity at the University of Miami campus for 200 3rd graders from under-served elementary schools.
(February 2018) KICP Life Long Learning Series speaker, "Beyond Global Warming: Human Impacts on the World's Oceans", Sulzer Regional Library.
(May 2017) KICP Life Long Learning Series speaker, "Beyond Global Warming: Human Impacts on the World's Oceans", Renaissance Court Regional Senior Center. Link.
(Nov 2014- April 2017) Sisters4Science facilitator, Ariel Community School and Orozco Academy, program emphasizing leadership through scientific exploration for middle school girls. Link.
(September 2016) PopUp Science Event, Homewood Science Center, hosted a station demonstrating the effect of water temperature on dissolved oxygen while linking to climate change and local aquatic habitats. Link.
(June 2016) Native Shellfish Hatchery Open House, NOAA Manchester Research Station, talked about shellfish restoration practices and ongoing research (including my own!) into how native shellfish may respond to global change. Link.
(2010-2012) Ocean Kids event workshop leader, designed and led activities demonstrating coral diversity at the University of Miami campus for 200 3rd graders from under-served elementary schools.
Service
- Co-leading a funded working group of 15 faculty, early career researchers, and undergraduates within the RCN for Evolution in Changing Seas to develop a dynamic website resource on reproducibility and best practices in marine genomics research.
- Reviewer for Molecular Ecology, Ecology and Evolution, PeerJ, Genomics, Conservation Biology, Fronteirs in Marine Science, National Geographic, and Sea Grant.
Additional Training
(May 2014) Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS) Course: "Conservation Genetics"
(Fall 2014) Teaching Assistant Training Course, University of Chicago
(Fall 2014) Teaching Assistant Training Course, University of Chicago
