K. David Hambright

K. David Hambright is a Regents’ Professor in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Oklahoma. His research focuses on limnology, plankton ecology, and harmful algal blooms (HABs), with a particular emphasis on understanding the ecological interactions within freshwater systems. He leads the Plankton Ecology and Limnology Laboratory (PEL Lab), which employs field and laboratory experiments alongside genomic and remote sensing technologies.

Dr. Hambright holds a PhD from Cornell University. His work examines the roles of planktonic microbes in nutrient cycling, the genetic basis of toxin production in HAB species like Prymnesium parvum, and the global patterns of cyanobacterial diversity. Recent studies include the impact of climate change on lake thermal regimes and the development of remote sensing for monitoring water quality.

His research publications span topics from microbial community dynamics to the ecological consequences of invasive species. He actively mentors graduate and undergraduate students in aquatic ecology and evolutionary biology. Dr. Hambright’s contributions include groundbreaking analyses of Microcystis pangenomes and the global Microcystis interactome.