Dr. Maria Maldonado

Biography

Maria T. Maldonado is a Professor at the University of British Columbia, where she has been a faculty member since 2003. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Smith College and a Ph.D. from McGill University. Her postdoctoral studies were completed at prestigious institutions including the University of California, Santa Cruz, Princeton University, and the University of Maine. As a Canada Research Chair II, her work revolves around understanding the physiological mechanisms of trace metal acquisition in marine phytoplankton, the ecological implications of trace metal availability, and the interactions between nitrogen metabolism and iron acquisition in microorganisms. Her research integrates aspects of climate science, environmental science, and oceanography, employing both laboratory and field methodologies to explore microbial physiology and the biogeochemical cycles controlled by marine microorganisms. Through her studies, she aims to elucidate how these factors influence oceanic primary productivity and, by extension, the global carbon cycle, especially in light of past and present climate variations.

Research Interests

Experience