Welcome!

Klara K. Nordén

Interests

Interests

Biodiversity

A core theme uniting my research is understanding the diversity of life on Earth. I have explored this in deep time, researching ecosystem turnover in dinosaur ecosystems, as well as in the present, studying the evolution of plumage colors in birds.

Structural color

Some of the most vibrant colors in nature, such as the metallic blue of a peacock, are built with microscopic structures that interact with light to produce color. I study the evolution of structural colors in feathers, using a combination of optics, sensory ecology and evolutionary biology.

Communication

I am passionate about impactful communication and find joy in distilling complex topics into clear and concise insights. I enjoy communicating with a wide range of audiences, from experts to the public. In my free time I produce a science communication podcast about the secret wonders of natural history collections.

About me


I am an experienced researcher with expertise across three fields intersecting biodiversity - evolutionary biology, ecology, and paleontology. I have managed and funded several research projects from start to finish, built interdisciplinary and international collaborations, and developed strong skills in data collection, analysis and presentation. As an interdisciplinary scientist, I am particularly good at distilling complex problems into key insights and communicating it effectively to a broad range of audiences and stakeholders.

Klara Nordén

Publications

A sample of my most recent work

Evolution of brilliant iridescent feather nanostructures

Historical Contingency and Developmental Constraints in Avian Coloration

Melanosome diversity and convergence in the evolution of iridescent avian feathers

Brief CV

  • 2024-present

    Lib4RI
    Zürich, Switzerland

    Project manager in open science
    & data management

  • 2023

    European Commission
    Brussels, Belgium

    Intern at European Research Council Executive Agency

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    2019-2023

    Princeton University
    Princeton, USA

    PhD Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

  • 2013-2017

    University of Bristol
    Bristol, UK

    MSci Palaeontology and Evolution

  • 2010-2012

    Spyken
    Lund, Sweden

    Gymnasium (high school)

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