Nataša Kužat

Nataša Kužat is a Researcher at the Ruđer Bošković Institute (RBI), affiliated with the Center for Marine Research and the Laboratory for Evolutionary Ecology (LEE). Her work focuses on marine phytoplankton ecology, nutrient dynamics, and biodiversity in the Northern Adriatic Sea, with a particular emphasis on diatoms and invasive species. She investigates physiological adaptations of phytoplankton to environmental stressors, such as nutrient limitation, and explores the ecological impacts of invasive organisms like Mnemiopsis leidyi.

Her research integrates experimental approaches with high-throughput sequencing and metabarcoding to study phytoplankton community structure, bloom dynamics, and species interactions. Key areas of interest include the ecological strategies of diatoms (e.g., Chaetoceros, Leptocylindrus, and Skeletonema), the role of winter conditions in annual organic production, and the distribution of dinoflagellate resting cysts in Adriatic ports.

Publications highlight her contributions to understanding nutrient competition, invasive species impacts, and the application of molecular tools in marine ecology. While no formal awards are listed, her work underscores critical insights into Adriatic ecosystem functioning and the implications of environmental change on marine life.