Scott N. Higgins

Scott N. Higgins is an Associate Professor in the Department of Environment & Geography at the University of Manitoba’s Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources. He holds a Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Waterloo (2005). His research focuses on algal ecology, freshwater ecosystem responses to climate change, and contaminant impacts on aquatic food webs. As a Senior Research Scientist at the IISD Experimental Lakes Area, he manages the Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) program and leads collaborative whole-lake studies on topics like harmful algal blooms, microplastics, antimicrobial agents, and winter limnology. His work integrates experimental lake manipulations with regional and global-scale analyses of lake ice phenology and biogeochemical cycles.

Key research themes include:

• Climate-driven shifts in lake physical/chemical/biological properties
• Trace metal roles in cyanobacterial dynamics
• Contaminant effects on food web structures
• Historical trends in dissolved organic carbon

He has contributed to large-scale studies on oil spill mitigation and lake ice regime changes. While no specific awards are listed, his extensive publication record reflects interdisciplinary collaboration across limnology, climatology, and environmental science.

His advising and grant activities are not detailed in the provided text, but his leadership at the IISD Experimental Lakes Area indicates significant involvement in collaborative research teams. Research infrastructure includes access to the LTER program’s long-term datasets and experimental lake facilities.