The standard convention in citation is to follow the format:

FI, MI, Last. For instance, if an individual changes their last name from Davidson to Mitchell, the change would manifest as follows:

Suppose an author named Susan Thomas Davidson (S.T. Davidson) decides to change her last name, becoming Susan Thomas Mitchell. The citation would then be updated to (S.T. Mitchell).

This alteration retains the consistent impact as the last name, serving as the clear identifier, undergoes the change."

Most research scientists I know just use their maiden name indefinitely for ‘work’. No one gets confused. Medical Dr’s too.

Not sure about that, the convention is to cite however someone appears on the paper right? That way everything is consistent.