Alison Robertson, Ph.D.

Senior Marine Scientist II, Dauphin Island Sea Lab

Associate Professor of Marine Sciences, University of South Alabama

Publications

Bio

Alison Robertson is a Senior Marine Scientist at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab and Associate Professor in Marine Sciences and Graduate Coordinator for the Environmental Toxicology program in the School of Marine and Environmental Sciences at the University of South Alabama.

She completed her doctorate at James Cook University in Australia and completed her postdoctoral training at the Institute for Marine Biosciences, National Research Council of Canada, and the NOAA NMFS Northwest Fisheries Science Center in Seattle, Washington.

Before coming back to academia Robertson also led research on emerging chemical hazards and seafood safety with the U.S., Food and Drug Administration.

Alison works on harmful algal blooms (pelagic, benthic, and cyanobacterial) and seeks to understand the biological role and effects of algal secondary metabolites and toxins at multiple levels of organization (bio-molecular, cellular, organismal, population, community, and ecosystem).

Research Highlights:

Understanding the chemical ecology and mechanisms of toxin production in pelagic and benthic phytoplankton
Biomolecular mechanisms and impacts of phycotoxin exposure in marine biota and humans
Evaluating ecological risk of cyanotoxins, ciguatoxins, and other phycotoxins on local, regional, and global scales

Recently Funded and Active Grants

Alabama Gulf Coast Recovery Council: Water and Sediment Quality Baseline Monitoring in Coastal Alabama
Alabama Center of Excellence: Using optical and metabolomic approaches to predict the nutritional quality of plankton communities for shellfish consumption under multi-stressor climate conditions
NOAA NCCOS Ecology and Oceanography of Harmful Algal Blooms: CIGUATOX: A study of Gambierdiscus “super bugs” and ciguatoxin fate in coral reef food webs
NSF (OISE 1743802) Partnerships in International Research and Education (PIRE): CIGUAPIRE: Linking the chemical and biological diversity of epiphytic dinoflagellates in tropical oceans: Advancing global understanding on the origin of ciguatera.
NSF (OCE 1841811) Greater Caribbean Center for Ciguatera Research (GCCCR)
NIEHS (P01ES028949) Center for Oceans and Human Health (CIGUACOHH)
NIEHS (R21ES032119) Impacts of Hurricanes on Coastal Seafood Resources and Seafood Safety

Who We Are

Molly Miller, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, CiguaPIRE Education and Outreach Coordinator Focus area: Chemical Ecology of Algal Secondary Metabolites

Andy I. Selwood

Visiting Scholar: Research Specialist
Home Institution: Cawthron Institute, Nelson, New Zealand
Focus Area: Chemical Diversity of Benthic Algal Toxins in Marine Biota

Alex Elizabeth (Liz) Murphy, BSc.

Biotechnologist IV
Focus area: Prevalence, Distribution, and Environmental Drivers of Natural Toxins in Fish

Students

Jonna Boyda, Ph.D. Student, Environmental Sciences (Fall 2024-current)
Bachelor of Science: Marine Sciences (2018) University of Florida
Master of Science: Ecotoxicology & Environmental Health (2020) Duke University
Research Toxicologist at U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (2020-Current)

Ashley Dalleske, MS Student, (Fall 2024-current)
Bachelor of Science (Spring 2024) Coastal Carolina University

Elyssa Clendinin, MS Student, (Fall 2024-current)
Bachelor of Science (2023) University of Southern Mississippi

John Roman, MS Student, (Fall 2024-current)
Bachelor of Science (2023) Pensacola Christian College

Clay Bennett, Ph.D. Student, Marine Sciences, (Current)
B.S. 2008, Troy University
2008 - 2012, Fisheries Observer, NOAA
Dissertation: Toxicokinetics of Caribbean ciguatoxin in mid-trophic level fish.

Sean Collins, MS Student, Marine Sciences (Current)
B.S. Biology (2019), University of South Alabama
Thesis: Effects of Phycotoxins on Endocrine Nuclear Receptor Response in Gulf Killifish (Fundulus grandis)

Alexander Leynse, Ph.D. Candidate, Marine Sciences (Graduated Spring 2024)
MS (2016), Florida Gulf Coast University
Dissertation: The Meta-metabolome of the epibenthic dinoflagellate Coolia

Jessica Gwinn, Ph.D. Graduate, Marine Sciences (Graduated Fall 2023)
B.S. in Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences, Texas A & M University
Dissertation: Linking the Metabolic and Ecological Fate of Caribbean Ciguatoxins in reef Herbivores

Miles, C. O., Burton, I. W., Lewis, N. I., Robertson, A., Giddings, S. D., McCarron, P., & Mudge, E. M. Isolation of Caribbean Ciguatoxin-5 (C-CTX5) and confirmation of its structure by NMR spectroscopy. Tetrahedron, 162, 134115. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tet.2024.134115
Parsons, M.L., M.L. Richlen, T.B. Smith, D.M. Anderson, A.L. Abram, D.L. Erdner, and A. Robertson. CiguaMOD I: A conceptual model of ciguatoxin loading in the Greater Caribbean Region. Harmful Algae. Vol. 131. 102561. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2023.102561
Mudge, E.M., A. Robertson, S. Uhlig, P. McCarron, and C.O Miles. 3-Epimers of Caribbean ciguatoxins in fish and algae. Toxicon. Vol. 237. 107536. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107536

2023

Gwinn, J.K., A. Robertson, L. Ivanova, C.K. Faeste, F. Kryuchkov, and S. Uhlig. Identification and cross-species comparison of in vitro phase I brevetoxin (BTX-2) metabolites in northern Gulf of Mexico fish and human liver microsomes by UHPLC-HRMS(/MS). Toxicon: X. Vol. 19 100168. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxcx.2023.100168
Logan, J.M., Wozniak, A.S., Varela, J.L. et al. Pre-spawning habitat use of Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) inferred from stable isotope analysis. Mar Biol. 170, 67. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-023-04210-7
Leynse AK, Mudge EM, Turner AD, Maskrey BH, Robertson A. Gambierone and Sodium Channel Specific Bioactivity Are Associated with the Extracellular Metabolite Pool of the Marine Dinoflagellate Coolia palmyrensis. Marine Drugs. 2023; 21(4):244. https://doi.org/10.3390/md21040244
Mudge, E.M., C.O. Miles, L. Ivanova, S. Uhlig, K.S. James, D.L. Erdner, C.K. Faeste, P. McCarron, and A. Robertson. Algal ciguatoxin identified as source of ciguatera poisoning in the Caribbean. Chemosphere. Vol. 330. 138659. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138659
Mudge, E.M., N.I. Lewis, P. McCarron, C.O. Miles, S. Uhlig. f. Kryuchkov, J.K. Gwinn, and A. Robertson. Identification of Caribbean ciguatoxins from benthic dinoflagellates advances knowledge on toxin chemistry and analysis. Harmful Algae News. NO. 73/2023.

2022

Mudge, E.M., A. Robertson, A.K. Leynse, P. McCarron, and C.O. Miles. Selective extraction of gambierone and related metabolites in Gambierdiscus silvae using m-aminophenylboronic acid–agarose gel and liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometric detection. Journal of Chromatography B, Vol. 1188. 123014. 1570-0232. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jchromb.2021.123014
Kryuchkov, F., A. Robertson, E.M. Mudge, C.O. Miles, S.V. Gothem, and S. Uhlig. Reductive Amination for LC–MS Signal Enhancement and Confirmation of the Presence of Caribbean Ciguatoxin-1 in Fish. Toxins 2022, 14(6), 399; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins14060399
Mudge, E.M., J. Meija, S. Uhlig, A. Robertson, P. McCarron, and C.O. Miles. Production and stability of Oxygen-18 labeled Caribbean ciguatoxins and gambierones. Toxicon 2022, 211(11-20). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2022.03.005
Mudge, E.M.; Robertson, A.; McCarron, P.; Miles, C.O. Selective and Efficient Capture and Release of vic-Diol-Containing Pacific and Caribbean Ciguatoxins from Fish Extracts with a Boronate Affinity Polymer. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 2022, 70, 12946-12952, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.2c03789
Kryuchkov, F.; Robertson, A.; Mudge, E.M.; Miles, C.O.; Van Gothem, S.; Uhlig, S. Reductive Amination for LC-MS Signal Enhancement and Confirmation of the Presence of Caribbean Ciguatoxin-1 in Fish. Toxins 2022, 14, 399, https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins14060399
Dahl, K.A.; Fields, A.; Robertson, A.; Portnoy, D.S.; Grieme, A.; Lockridge, G.; Patterson, W.F. Factors affecting DNA barcoding classification accuracy for piscine prey: An experimental assessment with invasive lionfish. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 2022, 547, 151675, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2021.151675

2021

Mudge, E.M., A. Robertson, A. Leynse, P. McCarron, and C.O. Miles. Selective Extraction of Gambierone and Related Metabolites in Gambierdiscus silvae using m-Aminophenylboronic Acid–Agarose Gel and Liquid Chromatography–High-Resolution Mass Spectrometric Detection Journal of Chromatography B 2021, 123014. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jchromb.2021.123014
Gwinn, JK., S. Uhlig, L. Ivanova, C.K.Faest, F. Kryuchkov, A. Robertson. In Vitro Glucuronidation of Caribbean Ciguatoxins in Fish: First Report of Conjugative Ciguatoxin Metabolites. Chemical Research in Toxicology. 34 (8), 1910-1925. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemrestox.1c00181
Liefer, J.D.; M.L. Richlen, T.B. Smith, J.L. DeBose, Y. Xu, D.M. Anderson, A. Robertson. Asynchrony of Gambierdiscus spp. Abundance and Toxicity in the U.S. Virgin Islands: Implications for Monitoring and Management of Ciguatera. Toxins. 13, 413. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins13060413
Hancock, TL., S.L. Blonder, A.A. Bury, R. A. Smolinski, M.L. Parsons, A. Robertson, H. Urakawa. Succession pattern and phylotype analysis of microphytobenthic communities in a simulated oil spill seagrass mesocosm experiment. Science of The Total Environment. 784, 47053. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147053
Dahl, K.A., A. Fields, A. Robertson, D.S. Portnoy, A. Grieme, G. Lockridge, and W.F. Patterson. Factors affecting DNA barcoding classification accuracy for piscine prey: An experimental assessment with invasive lionfish. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. 547. p. 151675. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2021.151675
Bennett, C.T. and A. Robertson. Depuration kinetics and growth dilution of Caribbean CTX in the omnivore Lagodon rhomboides: Implications for trophic transfer and ciguatera risk. Toxins 2021, 13(11).774. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins13110774

2020

Kryuchkov, F., A. Robertson, C.O. Miles, E.M. Mudge, and S. Uhlig. LC–HRMS and Chemical Derivatization Strategies for the Structure Elucidation of Caribbean Ciguatoxins- Identification of C-CTX-3 and -4. Mar. Drugs. 18(4),182. https://doi.org/10.3390/md18040182
FAO-WHO 25 contributing authors listed alphabetically Robertson, A.. Report of the Expert Meeting on Ciguatera Poisoning. Rome, 19–23 November 2018. Rome, Italy. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. 156pp. https://doi.org/10.4060/ca8817en
Curran, M. C. and A. Robertson. Chemistry Made Easy, Teaching Students about the Link Between Marine Chemistry and Coral Reef Biodiversity. Current- The Journal of Marine Education. 34(2). 1-11. http://doi.org/10.5334/cjme.39

2019

Dorgan, K.M., R. Parker, R., W. Ballentine, S.K. Berke, E. Kiskaddon, K. Gadeken, E. Weldin, W.C. Clemo, T. Caffray, S. Budai, A. Robertson, and S. Bell. Sublethal effects of oil exposure on infaunal behavior, bioturbation, and sediment oxygen consumption. Marine Ecology Progress Series. 635(9-24). https://doi.org/10.3354/meps13215
Novoveska, L. and A. Robertson. Brevetoxin-Producing Spherical Cells Present in Karenia brevis Bloom, Evidence of Morphological Plasticity. J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 7(2), 24. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse7020024
Bennett, C.T., A. Robertson, and W.F. Patterson. First record of the non-indigenous Indo-Pacific damselfish, Neopomacentrus cyanomos (Bleeker, 1856) in the northern Gulf of Mexico. BioInvasions Records. 8 (1). 154–166. https://doi.org/10.3391/bir.2019.8.1.17
Lefebvre, K.A., B.J. Yakes, E. Frame, P. Kendrick, S. Shum, N. Isoherranen, B.E. Ferriss, A. Robertson, A. Hendrix, D. J. Marcinek, and L. Grattan. Discovery of a Potential Human Serum Biomarker for Chronic Seafood Toxin Exposure Using an SPR Biosensor. Toxins. 11(5), 293. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins11050293
Gwinn, J. K., A. Robertson and R. P. Kiene. Effect of Salinity on DMSP Production in Gambierdiscus belizeanus (Dinophyceae). Journal of Phycology. 55(6). 1401-1411. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpy.12923

2018

Parsons, M. L., M. L. Richlen and A. Robertson. Harmful Algae: Gambierdiscus. Harmful Algal Blooms, A Compendium Desk Reference: 601-604.
Loeffler, C. R., A. Robertson, H. A. Flores Quintana, M. C. Silander, T. B. Smith and D. Olsen. Ciguatoxin prevalence in four commercial fish species along an oceanic exposure gradient in the US Virgin Islands. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 37(7). 1852-1863. https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.4137