Rhona Stuart
About Rhona Stuart
Rhona Stuart is a Staff Scientist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, where she investigates the physiological responses of marine picocyanobacterium Synechococcus to copper stress. Her research integrates various 'omics techniques and focuses on the ecological impacts of photoautotrophs.
Current Role at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Rhona Stuart currently serves as a Staff Scientist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, a position she has held since 2015. In this role, she investigates the physiological responses of marine picocyanobacterium Synechococcus to copper stress. Her research focuses on ecologically and phylogenetically distinct strains, contributing to the understanding of how these organisms adapt to environmental changes.
Previous Experience at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Prior to her current position, Rhona Stuart worked as a Postdoctoral Researcher at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory from 2012 to 2015. During this time, she engaged in advanced research that laid the groundwork for her current investigations into marine microorganisms and their environmental interactions.
Research Background at Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Rhona Stuart's research journey began at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, where she worked as an Undergraduate Research Assistant from 2000 to 2003. She later returned to Scripps as a Doctoral Graduate Student from 2006 to 2012, earning her Ph.D. in marine biology. Her doctoral research included a project examining energy flow in cyanobacterial microbial mats, focusing on the role of extracellular polymeric substances.
Education and Academic Qualifications
Rhona Stuart holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution from UC San Diego, which she completed from 1999 to 2003. She further advanced her education at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, where she earned her Ph.D. in marine biology between 2006 and 2012. Her academic background provides a strong foundation for her research in marine biology and environmental science.
Research Interests and Specializations
Rhona Stuart specializes in integrating data using 'omics techniques, including transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics. Her research interests include studying how photoautotrophs transform their environment and respond to changes, particularly in relation to trace metal clean culturing and advanced analytical techniques such as NanoSIMS, qPCR, microarrays, and RNA-Seq.