Serendipity played a role in Heather Koopman’s career path, but it was patience that led to her latest discovery in lobster research. Koopman, dean of Kennesaw State University’s College of Science and Mathematics, has been studying the migratory and reproductive habits of lobsters in the Bay of Fundy. In August, her research revealed an unusual finding: a female lobster she had tagged near Grand Manan Island, New Brunswick, was later found in Cape Cod, Massachusetts—about 220 miles away.
According to Koopman, such long-distance travel is uncommon for female lobsters, who typically remain in the same area throughout their lives. She explained that lobsters do not travel in straight lines, suggesting this one likely took a winding route. “When this lobster went from my study area to Cape Cod, I had people asking me why,” Koopman said. “It could be traveling, it could be looking for food, or it could be seeking out a certain water temperature. There are so many factors that could have driven that lobster to go that far.”
Koopman has been affiliated with the Grand Manan Whale and Seabird Research Station for more than 30 years, beginning as an undergraduate at Canada’s University of Guelph. A chance encounter with a professor studying porpoises set her on a path toward marine mammal research and eventually crustaceans. Over time, she became familiar not only with the local waters and wildlife but also with members of the fishing community on Grand Manan.
“I stress the importance of community knowledge and what people see, because they’re the ones on the water every day,” she said. “It’s really evolved into a nice partnership.”
Koopman’s work relies on long-term data collection due to lobsters’ lengthy gestation and development periods. She emphasized that meaningful observations require commitment beyond typical three- to five-year research grants: “In the case of the lobsters, you have to ask if they’re producing fewer eggs or if the copepod body is declining in quality, and you’re only going to see that if you study it for a significant amount of time,” she said. “It really is a commitment.”
Looking ahead, Koopman hopes to involve Kennesaw State students in fieldwork at Grand Manan. She continues to visit the Canadian Maritimes several times each year and shares her findings through seminars.
KSU Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Ivan Pulinkala expressed strong support for Koopman’s ongoing research efforts: “Dr. Koopman’s environmental science research has longitudinal implications within her disciplinary field of study,” Pulinkala said. “Staying actively engaged in research ensures that Dr. Koopman models scholarly practice within the academic community she serves.”
