MALCOLM A. BARNARD

Malcolm is a doctoral student in the Department of Chemistry at University of Texas at Austin in the Brodbelt Research Group focusing on mass spectrometry instrumentation development. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Ecology from the University of Georgia in 2017, a Master of Science degree in Marine Sciences from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2021, and a Master of Science degree in Biology from the Baylor University in 2024.

His previous research focused on harmful algal blooms. Harmful algal blooms (HABs) and harmful cyanobacterial blooms (HCBs) are increasing in magnitude and prevalence globally. They can cause major human and environmental health detriments, shut down public water supplies, and lead to death of dogs and livestock. Malcolm's primary research focuses on investigating biogeochemical drivers of HABs and HCBs at the molecular, community, ecosystem, and watershed scales. He studies these scales using analytical chemistry, sensor, and remote sensing techniques to investigate macro-nutritional and vitamin geochemical influences on HABs and HCBs. Illuminating and understanding the biogeochemical drivers of HABs and HCBs is crucial to be able to combat the deleterious effects of the blooms.