Dr. Kathleen Daumer Cusick
Tenure-Track
Department of Biological Sciences
College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences
She/Her/Hers/Herself
About
I have a Master's in Marine Biology and PhD in Microbiology. Combining these backgrounds, I use molecular tools to study the microbial ecology of coastal marine systems, with a special emphasis on harmful algal bloom ecology and evolution. My research is interdisciplinary in nature and spans the fields of microbial (including algal) genetics and genomics; molecular biology; environmental microbiology; ecotoxicology; and transcriptomics.Research interests
ecology and evolution of harmful algal blooms; bioluminescence and toxin production in HABs; marine microbial ecology; marine biofilms; copper and antibiotic resistance in marine bacteriaTeaching interests
Microbiology; climate change; harmful algal bloomsEducation
- Postdoc — US Naval Research Laboratory, Chemistry Division (2016)
- Postdoc — University of Tennessee (2013)
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Ph D, Microbiology
— University of Tennessee (2009) Proposed mechanism of action of saxitoxin in aquatic systems via molecular profiling in lower eukaryotes
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MS, Marine Biology
— Florida Institute of Technology/Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (2000) Effects of dinoflagellate bioluminescence on the foraging efficiency of the flamefish Apogon maculatus
- BS, Biology — Dickinson College (1997)