Providing compassionate, inclusive learning experiences for future healthcare workers, Earth stewards, leaders and makers

As an assistant professor at the University of Maine - Ft. Kent, I teach undergraduate courses in chemistry and environmental studies, study how environmental change affects plants and insects, and work diligently to support the well-being and empowerment of our students and community. Prior to moving to Aroostook County (ME), I worked as a researcher, science and outdoor educator in the Great Lakes Region, serving dual appointments at Madison College and the University of Wisconsin - Madison.

Current Interests

Teaching: Chemistry, environmental science, and adventure sports

General Chemistry I and II with lab (fall and spring): As one of the first courses taken by many UMFK students, General Chemistry I (CHY-100) introduces foundational science, chemistry and laboratory principles, with topics including: the metric system, problem solving, use of the periodic table, chemical reactions, chemical equilibrium, acids/bases, pH, gas laws, and solutions. Chemistry II (CHY-100) builds on these concepts through in-depth exploration of chemical kinetics, rate laws, molecular geometries, and brief introductions to nuclear, organic, and biological chemistry.

Organic Chemistry I and II with lab (fall in even years, spring in odd years): Focusing on principles, terminology and laboratory methods relating to the reactions of carbon-based chemical compounds, Organic Chemistry I (CHY-310) examines the interrelationship between chemical structure and bonding, explains the system of naming and drawing structures of organic compounds, and introduces students to common reactions in organic chemistry at the level of electron tracking. Organic Chemistry II (CHY-311) builds on these concepts, introducing students to more sophisticated reactions used to synthesize organic molecules such as pharmaceuticals and pesticides, and reactions that take place in biological systems.

Biochemistry with lab (spring in even years): This course delves into concepts and principles relating to the structure and function of enzymes, proteins and carbohydrates; kinetics and regulation of enzyme function; bioenergetics including photosynthesis and chemosynthesis, metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins; structure and function of informational macromolecules such as DNA and RNA; cellular communication; and ecotoxicology. Broadly, this course encourages development of strong analytical reasoning and writing skills by relating course topics to current issues in human and environmental health.

Limnology (fall in odd years): Taught from ecological, management, and global change perspectives, this course (BIO-380) examines the physical, chemical, and biological factors that affect the productivity of freshwater systems, in pristine and human-altered environments. Weekly field and laboratory activities reinforce concepts discussed in lecture, and familiarize students with important methodologies for studying lentic, lotic, and wetland environments.

Soil science (fall in odd years): This course (ENV-XXX), taught from an agricultural and resource management perspective, uses a variety of hands-on field and laboratory approaches to explain the mapping, taxonomy, chemical, physiological and biological roles of soils.

Independent study/research opportunities in chemical ecology and plant science. Please inquire.

Whitewater kayaking and Nordic skiing: I formerly instructed and guided kayaking and Nordic skiing activities with Wisconsin Hoofers. I am not a Registered Maine Guide or currently certified as an instructor, but am happy to provide informal instruction upon request.

Scholarship: Understanding and managing global change impacts

New research on forest health assessment: Using remotely-sensed hyperspectral data to predict visible, physiological and phytochemical indicators of forest health ($279,617, supported by grants from the Maine Economic Improvement Fund and Small Campus Innovation programs, in collaboration with Peter R. Nelson [Schoodic Institute] and Michael Knopp [University of Maine at Presque Isle])

Proposed research on environmental education, pedagogy, and strategic partnerships: Acadian-Wabanaki Future Forest Ecology Connections through Technology (AWFFECT): National Science Foundation Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers. In review. If funded, the initiative will bring together high school students, university scholars, pre-service and in-service teachers, and other stakeholders in rural Maine to learn about the interrelationship between humans, forests, land use, global change and sustainability. Our leadership team will, together with our strategic partners in Maine and Colorado: (A) create an innovative education-based citizen science platform and app, CitSciEd, as a technological tool to facilitate K-12 teacher and student engagement in science, and (B) develop an intentional learning community (ILC) that in the broadest sense will build the science knowledge, interest and literacy of participating teachers and students, and inspire a diverse pool of students to aim for STEM career pathways.

Chemical ecology of plant-herbivore-environment interactions: Selected publications

*Rubert-Nason, K.F.; Lindroth, R.L. Causes and consequences of condensed tannin variation in Populus: A molecules to ecosystems perspective. In: Recent Advances in Polyphenol Research, Vol. 7. Wiley-Blackwell. 2021.

*Rubert-Nason, K.F.; Lindroth, R.L. Analysis of condensed tannins in Populus spp. using reversed phase UPLC‐PDA‐(−)esi‐MS following thiolytic depolymerisation. Phytochemical Analysis. 2019, 30, 257-267.

*Couture, J.J.; Meehan, T.D.; Rubert-Nason, K.F.; Lindroth, R.L. Effects of elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide and tropospheric ozone on phytochemical composition of trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) and paper birch (Betula papyrifera). Journal of Chemical Ecology. 2017, 43, 26-38.

* Rubert-Nason, K.F.; Couture, J.J.; Gryzmala, E.A.; Townsend, P.A.; Lindroth, R.L. Vernal freeze damage and genetic variation alter tree growth, chemistry, and insect interactions. Plant, Cell and Environment. 2017, 40, 2743–2753.

* Couture, J.J.; Meehan, T.D.; Rubert-Nason, K.F.; Lindroth, R.L. Effects of elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide and tropospheric ozone on phytochemical composition of trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) and paper birch (Betula papyrifera). Journal of Chemical Ecology. 2017, 43, 26-38.

Contaminant ecohydrogeology: Selected publications

* Seyfried, E.E.; Newton, R.J.; Rubert, K.F.; Pedersen, J.A.; McMahon, K.D. Occurrence of tetracycline resistance genes in aquaculture facilities with varying use of oxytetracycline. Microbial Ecology. 2010, 59, 799-807.

* Rubert, K.F.; Hedman, C.J.; Guo, T.; Pedersen, J.A. Influence of MnO2 on the transformation of oxy- and chlortetracycline in pond water. In: Veterinary Pharmaceuticals in the Environment. American Chemical Society Symposium Series 1018. 2009, p. 45-65.

* Rubert, K.F.; Pedersen, J.A. Oxidative transformation of tetracycline antibiotics by a hydrous manganese oxide. Environmental Science and Technology. 2006, 40, 7216-7221.

Opportunities for undergraduate students

Forest health assessment (summer 2021 and 2022): 2-3 paid 12-week internships per summer, available to students at UMFK and UMPI. Duties include sampling, evaluating health status, identifying, and documenting the locations of spruce and poplar trees in the North Maine Woods, as well as laboratory work such as specimen curation, processing, and analysis for chemical indicators of stress. Please inquire.

Fire damage studies in the UMFK greenhouse (winter/spring 2021 and 2022). Evaluate the impacts of fire damage on the morphology, physiology and chemical defenses of poplars and spruces, using cutting-edge technology including the Licor-6800 photosynthesis analyzer and high performance liquid chromatography. These are unpaid opportunities to engage in mentored undergraduate research may be taken as independent study course credits. Please inquire.

Grants and funding

Maine Economic Improvement Fund Small Campus Initiative (MEIF-SCI): $130,000 (2020-2022)

University of Maine System Program Innovation Fund (UMS-PIF): $149,617 (2020-2022)

Way Forward / Bringing Theory to Practice: $7000 shared between UMFK and UMaine (2021)

Collaborators and partners

University of Maine at Presque Isle

Friends of Cross Lake

Wabanaki Center, University of Maine

Maine Youth for Climate Justice

JustME for JustUS

Project LearningTree/Maine TREE Foundation

Allagash Wilderness Waterway Foundation

Schoodic Institute

J.D. Irving