You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

Dr. Nicole Rhody headshot

Dr. Nicole Rhody

Senior Scientist & Program Manager

Marine & Freshwater Aquaculture Research Program

Today's Research for Tomorrow's Oceans
View All Staff

Contact:

nrhody@mote.org

941-388-4541, ext126

Biography:

Dr. Rhody received her Ph.D. from the University of Stirling in Scotland and has over 25 years of professional experience in aquatic science. She currently serves as the Program Manager of Marine and Freshwater Aquaculture Research at Mote Marine Laboratory. Based at the institution’s 200-acre Mote Aquaculture Research Park, Dr. Rhody leads a multidisciplinary team of scientists advancing innovative research in the conservation, reproduction, and sustainable cultivation of marine and freshwater fishes, bivalves, crustaceans, and aquatic plants. The research integrates fundamental and applied science to address critical challenges in aquaculture and aquatic resource conservation. She specializes in fish physiology and reproductive biology, advancing broodstock management and larval rearing practices to improve productivity and sustainability in aquaculture systems. Through translational research and industry partnerships, she works to develop science-based solutions that enhance production efficiency, support species restoration, and promote environmentally responsible aquaculture practices.

Education:

Ph.D. Fish Reproductive Physiology, Reproduction & Genetics Group, Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, UK

M.S. Aquaculture, Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, UK

B.S. Biology, Florida Southern College, FL, USA

Featured Publications

Walsh, C. J., Sherwood, T. A., Tarnecki, A. M., Rhody, N. R., Main, K. L., & Restivo, J. (2025). Challenges in cellular agriculture: lessons from Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology - Animal. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11626-024-01011-0
Walsh, Catherine J; Rhody, Nicole; Main, Kevan L; Restivo, Jessica; Tarnecki, Andrea M (2024). Advances in development of long-term embryonic stem cell-like cultures from a marine fish, Sciaenops ocellatus. Current Research in Food Science , 9, 100841. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crfs.2024.100841
Victor Blanco, Cortney Ohs, Nicole Rhody, and Ronald Hans (2022). Candidate Species for Florida Aquaculture: Almaco Jack, Seriola rivoliana. University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension Data Information Source (EDIS), FA249. https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-FA249-2022
Rhody, N.R., Stacy, N. I., Hernandez, J. A., Patrick, G., Resley, M. J., Yanong, R. P. (2021). Blood Analyte Changes of Wild-Caught Adult Almaco Jack in Response to Acclimation to Recirculating Aquaculture Systems and Hyposalinity Treatment. Journal of Aquatic Animal Health, 33(2.0), 77-83. https://doi.org/10.1002/aah.10121
Patrick, G., Tarnecki, A.M., Rhody, N., Schloesser, R., Main, K., Yanong, R., Francis-Floyd, R. (2019). Disinfection of almaco jack (Seriola rivoliana Valenciennes) eggs: Evaluation of three chemicals. Aquaculture Research, 50, 3793-3801. https://doi.org/10.1111/are.14342
Tarnecki, A.M., Wafapoor, M., Phillips, R.N., Rhody, N.R. (2019). Benefits of a Bacillus probiotic to larval fish survival and transport stress resistance. Scientific Reports, 9.0, 4892. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-39316-w
Tarnecki, A.M., Rhody, N.R., Walsh, C.J. (2018). Health Characteristics and Blood Bacterial Assemblages of Healthy Captive Red Drum: Implications for Aquaculture and Fish Health Management. Journal of Aquatic Animal Health, 30(4.0), 339-353. https://doi.org/10.1002/aah.10047
Tarnecki, A.M., Brennan, N.P., Schloesser, R.W., Rhody, N.R. (2018). Shifts in the Skin-Associated Microbiota of Hatchery-Reared Common Snook Centropomus undecimalis During Acclimation to the Wild. Microbial Ecology, 77, 770-781. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-018-1252-7
Yanes-Roca, C., Toledo-Cuevas, ME., Sanchez, LJ., Born-Torrijos, A., Rhody, N., Main, K.L. (2018). Digestive Enzyme Activity during Larval Development of Black Snook, Centropomus nigrescens. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society, 49.0(3), 612-624. https://doi.org/10.1111/jwas.12466
Ma, Q., Seyoum, S., Tringali, M.D., Resley, M.J., Rhody, N.R., Main, K.L., & Leber, K.M. (2017). Evaluating spawning performance among captive Florida pompano Trachinotus carolinus broodstock using microsatellite-based parentage assignment. Aquaculture Research, 48(11), 5506-5516. https://doi.org/10.1111/are.13369
Tarnecki, A.M. & Rhody, N.R. (2017). Microbiota of common snook Centropomus undecimalis larvae exhibiting high mortality. Aquaculture Research, 48(11), 5693-5698. https://doi.org/10.1111/are.13377

Additional Publications

Rhody NR, Stacy NI, Hernandez JA, Patrick G, Resley MJ, Yanong RP. Blood Analyte Changes of Wild-Caught Adult Almaco Jack in Response to Acclimation to Recirculating Aquaculture Systems and Hyposalinity Treatment. J Aquat Anim Health. 2021 Jun;33(2) 77-83. doi:10.1002/aah.10121. PMID: 33783879.

Tarnecki, A.M., Wafapoor, M., Phillips, R.N., Rhody, N.R., 2019. Benefits of a Bacillus probiotic to larval fish survival and transport stress resistance. Sci. Rep. 9, 4892. doi:10.1038/s41598-019-39316-w.

Tarnecki, A.M., Brennan, N.P., Schloesser, R.W., Rhody, N.R., 2019. Shifts in the Skin-Associated Microbiota of Hatchery-Reared Common Snook Centropomus undecimalis During Acclimation to the Wild. Microb. Ecol. 77, 770-781. doi:10.1007/s00248-018-1252-7.

Tarnecki, A.M., Rhody, N.R. Walsh, C. (2018). Health Parameters and Blood Bacterial Assemblages of Healthy Captive Red Drum Sciaenops ocellatus: Implications for Aquaculture and Fish Health Management. Journal of Aquatic Animal Health. http:https://doi.org/10.1002/aah.10047

Yanes-Roca, C., Toledo-Cuevas, M.E., Sanchez, L.J., Born-Torrijos, A., Rhody, N., Main, K.L. (2018). Digestive Enzyme Activity during Larval Development of Black Snook, Centropomus nigrescens. J. World Aquacult. Soc., 49(3), 612-624. doi:10.1111/jwas.12466

Tarnecki A.M., Rhody N.R. Microbiota of common snook Centropomus undecimalis larvae exhibiting high mortality. Aquaculture Research. 2017;00:1–6. https://doi.org/10.1111/are.13377.

Yanes-Roca, C., Toledo-Cuevas, M. E., Sánchez, L. J., Born-Torrijos, A., Rhody, N. and Main, K. L. (2017), Digestive Enzyme Activity during Larval Development of Black Snook, Centropomus nigrescens. J World Aquacult Soc. doi:10.1111/jwas.12466.

Ma Q., Seyoum S., Tringali M.D., Resley M.J., Rhody N.R., Main K.L., Leber, K. Evaluating spawning performance among captive Florida pompano Trachinotus carolinus broodstock using microsatellite-based parentage assignment. Aquaculture Research. 2017;00:1–12. https://doi.org/10.1111/are.13369

Rhody, N.R., Davie, A., Zmora, N., Zohar, Y., Main, K.L., Migaud, H., 2015. Influence of tidal cycles on the endocrine control of reproductive activity in common snook (Centropomus undecimalis). General and Comparative Endocrinology. General and Comparative Endocrinology 224, 247-259.

Hauville, M.R., Rhody N., Resley, M.J., Bell, J.G., Main, K.L., Migaud, H., 2015. Comparative study of lipids and fatty acids in the liver, muscle, and eggs of wild and captive common snook broodstock. Aquaculture, 446, pp. 227-235.

Rhody, N.R., Puchulutegui, C., Taggart, J.B., Main, K.L., Migaud, H., 2014. Parental contribution and spawning performance in captive common snook Centropomus undecimalis broodstock. Aquaculture 432, 144-153.

Rhody, N.R., Neidig, C.L., Grier, H.J., Main, K.L., Migaud, H., 2013. Assessing Reproductive Condition in Captive and Wild Common Snook Stocks: A Comparison between the Wet Mount Technique and Histological Preparations. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 142, 979-988.

Barón-Aguilar, C.C., Rhody, N.R., Brennan, N.P., Main, K.L., Peebles, E.B., Muller-Karger, F.E., 2013. Influence of temperature on yolk resorption in common snook Centropomus undecimalis (Bloch, 1792) larvae. Aquaculture Research, 1-9.

Yanes-Roca, C., Rhody, N.R., Nystrom, M., Wittenrich, M.L., Main, K.L., 2012. Embryonic and Early Larval Development in Hatchery-Reared Common Snook. North American Journal of Aquaculture 74, 499-511.

Rhody, N.R., Nassif, N.A., Main, K.L., 2010. Effects of salinity on growth and survival of common snook Centropomus undecimalis (Bloch, 1792) larvae. Aquaculture Research 41, e357-e360.

Wittenrich, M.L., Rhody, N.R., Turingan, R.G., Main, K.L., 2009. Coupling osteological development of the feeding apparatus with feeding performance in common snook, Centropomus undecimalis, larvae: Identifying morphological constraints to feeding. Aquaculture 294, 221-227.

Yanes-Roca, C., Rhody, N., Nystrom, M., Main, K.L., 2009. Effects of fatty acid composition and spawning season patterns on egg quality and larval survival in common snook (Centropomus undecimalis). Aquaculture 287, 335-340.