Dr. Stefan Kolle

Stefan is a post-doctoral scholar at CRE Lab at UCSD. His current research efforts focus on the integration of novel coating and treatment technologies to promote coral health, survival and larval settlement in artificial reef systems.
Stefan received his Ph.D. from Harvard University in the field of
Bioengineering. His primary research centered on the development and characterization of novel non-toxic coatings for marine biofouling prevention, with special emphasis on Slippery-liquid-infused porous surfaces (SLIPS) and stable superhydrophobic surfaces for underwater applications.
A graduate of the University of Wales, Bangor with a B.Sc. in Marine Biology/Zoology and a M.Sc. in Marine Environmental Protection, Stefan is about marine conservation and restoration efforts and has previously worked with small-scale fisheries management and conservation in Samos and
Ikaria, Greece and ocean acidification effects on coralline algae at the Natural History Museum London, UK.
As a passionate experimentalist, his primary goal is to explore the potential of applying novel engineering approaches in a conservation context for the purpose of preserving and restoring critical marine ecosystems and their associated benefits for our and future generations. As a strong believer in the scientific and wider benefits of a happy lab environment, Stefan is a seasoned social organizer and Happy Hour host,
trying to create spaces where people can be themselves and freely exchange ideas, academic or otherwise.