Max Taylor

Dr. Max Taylor is Professor Emeritus of Oceanography at the University of British Columbia, specializing in marine phytoplankton ecology and harmful algal blooms. His pioneering research examines dinoflagellate biology, toxic red tides, and marine symbiosis.

Research conducted globally includes:

• Station Zoologique, Villefranche-sur-Mer
• Phuket Marine Biological Center
• Bellairs Research Institute
• Friday Harbor Laboratories

Research focuses on dinoflagellate taxonomy, physiology, and ecological dynamics, particularly species causing paralytic shellfish poisoning and ciguatera. Investigations combine electron microscopy, enzyme electrophoresis, and field ecology to study bloom formation mechanisms.

As founding Director of the North East Pacific Culture Collection (NEPCC), he established a vital resource of 300+ marine phytoplankton strains for global researchers.

Honors include Fellowship in the Royal Society of Canada and presidency of the International Society for Evolutionary Protistology.