Brief Biography

Dr. Kennedy “Ned” Rubert-Nason is chemical ecologist with a Ph.D. in Molecular and Environmental Toxicology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2008) and a B.S. in Environmental Chemistry from the University of Virginia (2002). He co-founded the Inclusion section of the Ecological Society of America, served as a Howard Hughes Teaching Fellow, is a consistently published author, and loves doing all things outdoors. He uses a critical pedagogical approach to empower future healthcare workers, Earth stewards, leaders and makers through collaborative hands-on learning experiences.

Scholarship: Understanding and managing global change impacts

Dr. Rubert-Nason engages teams of undergraduate students in cutting-edge research and service learning relating to global change ecology through paid and volunteer opportunities. Recent sponsors include the Maine Economic Improvement Fund ($163,000, 2024-2026) and U.S. National Science Foundation (OIA-2412131, $99,180; OIA-2416915, $80,000; 2024-2028).

Recent Courses Taught

  • General chemistry I and II (CHY 100 & 101), Organic chemistry (CHY 310 & 311), Biochemistry (CHY 300), Liquid chromatography (CHY 330), Limnology (BIO 380), Botany (BIO 202), Special topics

Selected Publications and Presentations

  • Thapa, S.; Li, L.; Rubert-Nason, K.; Wang, J.; Mirtes, C.; Brown, T.; Pelletier, E.; Zhang, Y-J. Wood moisture content determination by handheld near-infrared reflectance spectrometer. Wood and Fiber Science. 2024, 56, 197-206.

  • Lind-Riehl, J.; Cole, C.; Morrow, C.; Barker, H.; Bernhardsson, C.; Rubert-Nason, K.; Ingvarsson, P.; Lindroth, R. Genomic and transcriptomic analyses reveal polygenic architecture for ecologically important traits in aspen (Populus tremuloides). Ecology and Evolution. 2023, https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.10541.

  • Rubert-Nason, K.F.; Yang, P.; Morrow, C.J.; Lindroth, R.L. Environment and genotype influence quantitative and qualitative variation in condensed tannins in aspen. Journal of Chemical Ecology. 2023, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-023-01430-5.

  • Rubert-Nason, K.F.; Casper,A.M.A.; Jurjonas, M.; Mandeville, C.P.; Potter, R.; Schwarz, K. Ecologist-community partnerships: An imperative for building resilience to global change threats. Rethinking Ecology. 2021, 6, 65-92.

  • Rubert-Nason, K.F.; Lindroth, R.L. Causes and consequences of condensed tannin variation in Populus: A molecules to ecosystems perspective. In: Recent Advances in Polyphenol Research, Vol. 7. Wiley-Blackwell. 2021.

  • Rubert-Nason, K.F.; Lindroth, R.L. Analysis of condensed tannins in Populus spp. using reversed phase UPLC‐PDA‐(−)esi‐MS following thiolytic depolymerisation. Phytochemical Analysis. 2019, 30, 257-267.

  • Couture, J.J.; Meehan, T.D.; Rubert-Nason, K.F.; Lindroth, R.L. Effects of elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide and tropospheric ozone on phytochemical composition of trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) and paper birch (Betula papyrifera). Journal of Chemical Ecology. 2017, 43, 26-38.

  • Rubert-Nason, K.F.; Couture, J.J.; Gryzmala, E.A.; Townsend, P.A.; Lindroth, R.L. Vernal freeze damage and genetic variation alter tree growth, chemistry, and insect interactions. Plant, Cell and Environment. 2017, 40, 2743–2753.

  • Couture, J.J.; Meehan, T.D.; Rubert-Nason, K.F.; Lindroth, R.L. Effects of elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide and tropospheric ozone on phytochemical composition of trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) and paper birch (Betula papyrifera). Journal of Chemical Ecology.2017, 43, 26-38.