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Patrick N. Halpin

Professor
Marine Science and Conservation
Box 90328, Durham, NC 27708-0328
A324 Lev Sci Res Ctr, Durham, NC 27708

Overview


Patrick Halpin is a Professor of Marine Geospatial Ecology in the Marine Science and Conservation Division of the Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University. Prof. Halpin leads the Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab with laboratory facilities located at the main campus of Duke University as well as the Duke University Marine Lab. He received his Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences from the University of Virginia in 1995. Prof. Halpin’s research focuses on marine geospatial analysis, ecological applications of geographic information systems and remote sensing; marine conservation and ecosystem-based management. Prof. Halpin sits on a number of international scientific and conservation program steering committees including the Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS), the Global Oceans Biodiversity Initiative (GOBI), the Marine Working Group for the Group on Earth Observations - Biodiversity Observing Networks (GEO-BON) and the Google Oceans Advisory Council.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Professor in the Division of Environmental Sciences and Policy · 2018 - Present Environmental Sciences and Policy, Nicholas School of the Environment

In the News


Published April 17, 2024
Where Have All the Right Whales Gone?
Published January 10, 2024
New Map Shows Scope of Human Activity on the Ocean
Published November 10, 2020
Group Urges Atlantic Seafloor be Labeled a Memorial to Slave Trading

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Recent Publications


Marine megavertebrate migrations connect the global ocean.

Journal Article Nature communications · May 2025 Animal migrations are extensive, ubiquitous, and in decline. To effectively protect migratory species, it is often crucial to identify the interconnected sets of sites they rely upon. Gaps between primary ecological research and synthesised information tha ... Full text Cite

Role of low-impact-factor journals in conservation implementation.

Journal Article Conservation biology : the journal of the Society for Conservation Biology · April 2025 Academic review, promotion, and tenure processes place a premium on frequent publication in high-impact factor (IF) journals. However, conservation often relies on species-specific information that is unlikely to have the broad appeal needed for high-IF jo ... Full text Cite

Leveraging built marine structures to benefit and minimize impacts on natural habitats

Journal Article BioScience · February 1, 2025 Many natural marine habitats are decreasing in extent despite global conservation and restoration efforts. In contrast, built marine structures, such as hardened shorelines, offshore energy and aquaculture infrastructure, and artificial reefs, are increasi ... Full text Cite
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Recent Grants


Marine Species Density Data Gap Assessments and Update for the AFTT Study Area

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Department of the Navy · 2024 - 2030

Cooperative Research Proposal for Near Real-Time North Atlantic Right Whale Density Modeling and Database Support

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Bureau of Ocean Energy Management · 2024 - 2028

IRA-Near Real-Time North Atlantic Right Whale Density Modeling

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration · 2024 - 2028

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Education, Training & Certifications


University of Virginia · 1995 Ph.D.