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
Molecular ecology, harmful algal bloom dynamics, diversity and evolution of marine phytoplankton
Current Activity
My research on toxic algae incorporates traditional and molecular ecology and taxonomy to consider the varied abiotic and biotic mechanisms that influence the biodiversity, distribution, toxicity and evolution of these organisms in the marine environment. I develop and utilize intraspecific, interspecific and community-based molecular approaches to detect and quantify phytoplankton diversity in both discrete and real-time field applications. I have broadly employed these approaches in my field research in U.S. coastal waters, and have largely focused on the toxic diatom genus Pseudo-nitzschia. Ongoing projects in my lab combine experimental, modeling, field and phylogenetic studies to further investigate the role of interspecific ecological differentiation and toxicity within this and other toxic phytoplankton genera.