MALCOLM A. BARNARD

Limnetic Phycologist, Limnetic and Coastal Ecosystem Ecologist, Aquatic (Bio)geochemist, and Inventor

I am a Powers Lab data assistant in the Department of Biology and Center for Reservoir and Aquatic Systems Research at Baylor University, who will be starting a PhD program in the Department of Biology at Baylor University in Fall 2022 co-advised by Drs. Steve Powers and Thad Scott. I received a Bachelor of Science degree in Ecology from the University of Georgia in 2017 and a Master of Science degree in Marine Sciences from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2021.

Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CyanoHABs) are increasing in magnitude and prevalence globally, can cause major human and environmental health detriments, have shut down public water supplies, and have caused death in dogs and livestock. My interest lies in the ecology and geochemistry that influence toxin production in CyanoHABs. My primary research focuses on investigating ecological factors, such as grazing pressures, and biogeochemical factors, such as nutrient and vitamin geochemical influences, on CyanoHAB toxin production. To accomplish this, I use bioassays to experimentally manipulate and investigate the factors influencing the CyanoHAB growth and toxin production. It is critical to understand what influences toxicity in CyanoHABs so that steps can be taken to reduce the negative impacts of the blooms.