Abstract:
Elements and energy are the building blocks required to create organisms, populations, communities, and ecosystems. Since elements are conserved between the abiotic and biotic environment, they can be used to track changes from the sub-cellular to ecosystem scales. In this seminar, Dr. Wagner will explore how anthropogenic nutrient enrichment and the imbalance of nitrogen to phosphorus ratios affects the eco-physiology and cyanotoxin concentration and quotas in cyanobacteria bloom-forming genera. This topic will be explored at different scales from manipulative controlled laboratory experiments to whole ecosystem high-frequency monitoring.

Brief Biography:
Nicole completed her BS (2007), MS (2009), and Ph.D. (2015) at Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. Her doctoral research focused on identifying physiological traits in zooplankton that are indicative of nutritional stress. After her Ph.D, she worked as a postdoctoral associate at the University of Toronto, Canada, Cornell University NY, and Baylor University TX. In the fall of 2022, Nicole joined the Biological Sciences Department at Oakland University as an Assistant Professor. Much of her research interests revolve around how anthropogenic stress affects organisms and ecosystems.