Kate Hubbard
Name
Kate Hubbard
Position
Research Scientist
Section
Ecosystem Assessment and Restoration – Harmful Algal Blooms
Education
B.A. Biology, New College of Florida
M.S. Biological Oceanography, University of Washington
Ph.D. Biological Oceanography, University of Washington
Research Interests
Harmful algal bloom ecology; advancing/sustaining ocean observation networks; modeling bloom dynamics; diversity, life cycles, and evolution of marine phytoplankton; ecosystem restoration
Current Activity
Dr. Kate Hubbard leads FWC-FWRI's harmful algal bloom (HAB) monitoring and research program and since 2020, directs FWC’s Center for Red Tide Research. She works closely with a broad network of international, federal, regional, state, county, academic, nonprofit, industry, and citizen partners as well as the IOOS Regional Associations to sustain and advance HAB monitoring. She also prioritizes engaging junior scientists in research and communication. Hubbard works with this broad network to examine biological responses to environmental perturbations across varying spatiotemporal scales. Recent enhancements to Florida’s HAB monitoring network under her direction have focused on new, enhanced, and/or sustained biological, chemical, and physical observation capabilities for Karenia brevis that can be more broadly applied to other regional HABs as well. Her specific expertise in genomics and ecology has helped evaluate drivers of HABs and other species using environmental DNA (eDNA), handheld detection technology, or submersible in situ detection tools such as the Imaging Flow CytoBot. As a Co-Investigator of the NSF/NIEHS-funded Woods Hole Center for Oceans and Human Health at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Hubbard is involved in HAB detection and forecasting projects across the US to better understand and predict blooms and their impacts and is committed to working at the interface of HAB research and management. She has served on the National HAB Committee since 2017.