&EPA
MED in Review
www.epa.gov
EPA/600/N 07/004
Fall 2007
United States Environmental
Protection Agency
Office of Research and
Development
National Health and
Environmental Effects
Research Laboratory
Mid-Continent Ecology
Division, Duluth,
Minnesota
In this Issue:
From the Director
Research Events
Featured Research
Current Events
New Publications
MED Seminars
Awards
People
MED in Review Editor
Mary Ann Starus
(218)529-5075
starus.maryann@epa.gov
MED in Review Design
FAIR II Contract
WO68-W-01-032
From the Director, Carl Richards
Welcome to MED in Review. This is the first edition of a new publication designed to
highlight recent and ongoing research activities at the Mid-Continent Ecology Division of the
National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory of ORD. Our aim is to
provide a snapshot of interesting developments in MED's research portfolio in a friendly
format that both informs on the scope of our activities and encourages more in-depth
communications with our staff. We believe that you will find these editions useful over time
and hope you will give us any thoughtful suggestions on how we might improve the
functionality of this newsletter for your needs. Please feel free to contact us at any time; that's
why we're here.
Research Events
PEER REVIEW OF THE MID-CONTINENT
ECOLOGY DIVISION
On April 17-20, EPA's National Health and
Environmental Effects Research Laboratory
held a peer review of the Division's research
program. A panel of senior scientists was
convened to review the Division's research
programs and accomplishments for the
period 2002-2007. Panel members included
Dr. Tom Burton (Michigan State
University), Dr. Patricia Chow-Fraser
(McMaster University), Dr. Joel Coats (Iowa
State University), Dr. Alan Covich
(University of Georgia), Dr. Peter Hodson
(Queen's University), Dr. Barry Lesht
(Argonne National Laboratory), and
Dr. Charles Pittinger (ARCADIS US, Inc).
During the review week, Division Branch
Chiefs and Senior Scientists provided
overviews of the research conducted under
ORD's multi-year plans. Each briefing also
included a poster session that involved most
of the Division's science staff; over 50
posters were presented. The panel returned
a very helpful and constructive report. The
Division is in the process of providing a
response and series of action items.
Contact: Janet Keough (218) 529-5025.
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA DULUTH
COOPERATIVE TRAINING AGREEMENT
In February, the Division formalized a
cooperative training agreement with the
University of Minnesota after a competitive
proposal process involving several other
large universities. Through this agreement,
EPA will provide funds to the University to
recruit and train both undergraduate and
graduate students as well as postdoctoral
scientists in environmental sciences. The
opportunity to work with senior scientists at
one of EPA's premier environmental
laboratories will enhance the educational
experience of students as they strive to
become leaders within the scientific
community.
The University of Minnesota Duluth campus
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COOPERATIVE TRAINING AGREEMENT -
CONTINUED
While EPA provides funding and the University
administers the actual recruitment, use of the
funds, and the program overall, EPA scientists will
have a direct involvement with U of M faculty in
selecting successful candidates and providing
mentoring both on and off MED's facilities. Much
of the students' work will take place at MED. This
is yet another tool, like the Student Services
Contract program and summer internships, to train
and mentor future scientists for their careers -
perhaps even in the public service field. MED
scientists are urged to investigate this opportunity
whenever they have the potential to provide funds
toward student training and assistance.
This effort was the brainchild of Dr. Janet Keough
who served as the project writer and coordinator
until proposals were received. At that point, the
Project Officer responsibilities were turned over to
Roger Parsons, who will remain in that capacity,
and can be contacted at (218) 529-5030.
NORTHLAND CHAPTER OF THE SOT, SPRING MEETING
Society of
Toxicology
The spring meeting of the Northland Chapter of the Society of Toxicology
was held May 3 in MED's conference center. Titled "Down the Drain and
Out of Our Minds," the meeting focused on contemporary issues in
wastewater management, with an emphasis on Pharmaceuticals and "personal
care" products. Invited speakers gave four presentations:
Medaka: A good fish model for assessing hazards associated -with
waterborne contaminants: Dr. Rodney Johnson, EPA/MED;
The evolving landscape of-waste-water regulation over the last 35 years:
Tim Scherkenbach, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency;
Photochemical cycling oftriclosan: Degradation and the formation of
toxic products: Dr. Doug Latch, Seattle University;
Exposures, effects, and risks of agricultural pharmaceuticals in surface
waters and soil: Dr. Keith Solomon, University of Guelph.
Contact: John Nichols (218) 529-5160.
INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE FORUM ON COMPUTATIONAL TOXICOLOGY
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AQfcNGY
Two MED researchers participated
in the Forum, held at EPA's Main
Campus in Research Triangle Park,
North Carolina, on May 21-23.
Designed for public, private sector,
and academic researchers active in
the field as well as risk assessors
and risk managers, the Forum
highlighted progress in the use of
modern molecular, biological, and
chemical based tools on the
assessment of exposure, hazard,
and risk of environmental
chemicals. Approximately 50
invited speakers from around the
world presented the latest advances
in computational toxicology.
Plenary sessions led by prominent
keynote speakers examined
development of virtual tissues and
organs, models of ecosystem
function, and gene-environment
interactions. Dan Villeneuve of
MED's Toxic Effects
Characterization
Research Branch co-
chaired the plenary
session "Computational Tools for
Ecological Risk Assessment." He
also presented Mining minnows and
building models: An integrated
systems biology approach to link
mechanism of action to
ecologically-relevant outcomes.
Matthew Etterson, National
Research Council Post-Doc at
MED, presented Toxicology versus
ecology in population-level risk
assessment for-wildlife: What data
does your modeler really need?
Concurrent sessions covering
related topics followed two tracks -
computational models, and tools for
hazard prediction. An evening
poster session featured contributed
research focused on similar themes.
Contacts: Matt Etterson
(218)529-5158 and
Dan Villeneuve (218) 529-5217.
ORD SCIENTISTS PARTICIPATE IN FISH
TOXICOGENOMICS WORKSHOP
The UK National Environment Research Council
(NERC), through the University of Birmingham,
sponsored a workshop entitled "Fish
Toxicogenomics: Advancing Practical
Implementation" May 24-26 in Aveiro, Portugal.
Invited scientists from around the world met to
identify needs and develop experimental projects to
focus NERC funding to support the application of
genomics to ecological risk assessment. Specific
topical areas included bioinformatics,
transcriptomics, metabolomics, and data
interpretation (toxic vs. compensatory responses).
Three ORD scientists, Drs. Gerald Ankley
(NHEERL/MED), Tim Collette (NERL/ERD) and
William H. Benson (NHEERL/GED and Office of
the Science Advisor) were among the
approximately 40 invitees, as were two scientists
receiving funding from EPA, via the STAR
program - Dr. Nancy Denslow (University of
Florida) and via an interagency agreement - Dr.
Ann Miracle (Pacific Northwest Laboratories,
DOE). Contacts: Gerald Ankley (218) 529-5147,
Tim Collette (706) 355-8211, or William Benson
(850)934-9208.
MED in Review
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VISITING EXPERT FROM UNIVERSITY OF UTRECHT
For three months this summer, Division researchers learned a Solid Phase
Microextraction (SPME) technique from Dr. Thomas ter Laak, a scientist
from the University of Utrecht, the Netherlands. SPME measures the free
concentration of a compound in an experimental system, and can be
applied to solutions, tissues, sediments, and other matrices. The resulting
information can be used to estimate sorption coefficients and may
contribute to the interpretation of in vitro and in vivo test data. Specific
applications of the SPME method that are being pursued include the
effect of chemical binding on hepatic metabolism in an isolated perfused
fish liver preparation and determination of free chemical concentrations
in an in vitro estrogen receptor binding assay.
Contact: John Nichols (218) 529-5160.
PELLSTON WORKSHOP
EPA scientists from NHEERL (Russ Erickson and Dave Mount, MED
and Mace Barren, GED) and OPP (Keith Sappington, EFED)
participated in a Pellston Workshop of the Society of Environmental
Toxicology on the "Tissue Residue Approach to Ecotoxicity
Assessment." The workshop, held June 7-12 in Leaven worth,
Washington, included invited experts in ecotoxicology and environmental
chemistry from North America, Europe, and Asia. Participants examined
the theory and practice of using organism-based dose metrics (e.g.,
whole-body, organ, tissues) to assess ecological risks, and to
conceptualize methods to translate residue-response data into regulatory
guidelines for tissue, sediment, and water quality. Individual working
groups focused on scientific underpinnings of the approach,
mixtures/mechanisms, metals and metal compounds, organic compounds,
and application to risk assessment. Contacts: Russ Erickson
(218) 529-5157 and Dave Mount (218) 529-5169.
MED HOSTS DISCUSSIONS ON WATER QUALITY
CRITERIA FOR EDCs
On July 23-26,
MED hosted
meetings with
managers and
staff from the
Office of Water's
Office of Science
and Technology (OW/OST). On July 23, senior
managers from OW/OST met with MED senior staff
to discuss research across all GPRA goals with
relevance to OW science priorities, including
endocrine disruption, Pharmaceuticals and other
emerging contaminants, techniques for toxicological
extrapolation across species and chemicals, "omics"
techniques, biological condition assessment and
diagnosis, and nutrient and habitat effects on
ecological condition. On July 24-26, there were
technical meetings of OW/OST and ORD scientists
which focused on developing supplemental methods
and guidance for deriving water quality criteria
(WQC) for endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs)
and other chemicals with properties that are more
difficult to properly assess using existing WQC
derivation approaches. This meeting is a step in a
larger ongoing technical assistance effort. Scientists
from NERL-Cincinnati specializing in detection and
analysis of EDC chemicals are also part of the
workgroup and attended this meeting. Division
attendees were Gary Ankley, Rick Bennett,
Russ Erickson, Dale Hoff, Dave Mount,
Chris Russom, Chuck Stephan, and Joe Tietge.
Contact: Dale Hoff (218) 529-5386.
Rod Booth (MED Facilities Mgr.), Carl
Richards (MED Director), & Hal Zenick
NHEERL DIRECTOR, DR. HAL ZENICK, VISITS THE DIVISION
This August 27 - 28 visit proved to be an excellent opportunity to brief Dr. Zenick on MED's
research programs, since he had been unable to attend our peer review in April. We always
appreciate visits from the NHEERL "Mother Ship," and Hal shared his perspectives on
programmatic futures within the Laboratory and ORD. The Division held a "potluck and brats"
luncheon, followed by an all-hands briefing by Dr. Zenick and discussion with the staff. Several
awards were presented.
2007 McKiM CONFERENCE ON PREDICTIVE TOXICOLOGY
The Division participated in the "McKim Conference on
Predictive Toxicology" held in Duluth on September 25-27'.
The Conference was organized by the International QSAR
Foundation and convened about 80 scientists to develop the
science needed for hypothesis-driven testing strategies. The
Conference was inspired by and named in honor of the late
James M. McKim III, long-time MED employee, whose
pioneering contributions in the field of aquatic toxicology
International
The McKim Conferences-
provided the science necessary to develop sound ecological risk
assessment principles. The McKim Conference is not a forum
for the presentation of individual scientific research, but rather a
forum for discussion of specific issues which are framed by
invited speakers.
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McKiM CONFERENCE - CONTINUED
Last year, the McKim Conference discussed the paradigm shift
occurring in numerous regulatory agencies, and outlined three
major areas where science currently limits a more strategic
paradigm in safety assessment. The 2006 conferees urged that
future meetings be focused on specific gaps in predictive
toxicology and chemistry that limited extrapolation of existing
data across chemicals, species, and test endpoints. Important
gaps included the models and dose metrics used for chronic
non-cancer endpoints including reproductive and developmental
impairment. Accordingly, the organizers of the 2007 Conference
invited speakers who gave thought-starter papers in systems
biology for the brain-pituitary-gonad axis and illustrated how
these studies guide the development of specific reproductive
models for different toxicity pathways. The conferees discussed
methods of incorporating these models into different chemical
categories to fill data gaps within specific regulatory domains.
Conference topics:
Chemical Categories and Predictive Toxicology
New Reference Points for Hazard Identification
Using Systems Approaches to Strategic Testing
Special QSAR Toolbox Training Session
The QSAR Application Toolbox -was developed by OECD and
the Laboratory of Mathematical Chemistry to facilitate the use
of chemical categories and QSAR in the international hazard
assessment of chemicals.
ORD presentations made at the conference:
Bioinformatics and systems biology - Imran Shah/NCCT
Predicting estrogen receptor binding within categories -
Rick Kolanczyk/MED
Dose-response for neurological effects in narcosis -
Phil Bushnell/NTD
Dose-response for reproductive effects of ER binders -
Pat Schmieder/MED
Systems biology in small fish models - Dan Villeneuve/MED
Bridging from individuals to populations - Matt Etterson/MED
Systems biology in amphibian models - John Nichols/MED
Opportunities for strategic planning using systems models -
Gary Ankley/MED
Defining reproductive or neurological hazards -
Pat Schmieder/MED, Phil Bushnell/NTD
Contact: Pat Schmieder (218) 529-5161.
MED SCIENTIST WORKING WITH NHEERL/ETD, REGION 8, AND OSWER TO SUPPORT EPA's LIBBY ACTION PLAN
NHEERL and OSWER representatives were invited to Libby, Montana, for meetings on September 26-27', to
discuss research addressing the health effects of asbestos contamination in that community. Vermiculite ore
mined for 70 years near the town contained substantial amounts of amphibole asbestos and related mineral
fibers. A research plan written by NHEERL with the assistance of EPA Region 8, ORD NCEA, and OSWER
was developed to improve the scientific basis for the risk assessment in Libby, and is available on the
Region 8 website at http://www.epa.gov/region8/superfund/libby/ amphibole.html.
At the meeting in Libby, Doug Ammon (Chief, Science Policy Branch, Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation,
OSWER) described the role of OSWER. Dr. Linda Birnbaum (Experimental Toxicology Division Director) provided an overview of
NHEERL and its capabilities. Dr. Phil Cook/MED described the NHEERL historical asbestos research database and plans for in vitro
fiber dissolution studies. Dr. Stephen Gavett/ETD discussed plans for in vitro toxicity studies and subchronic inhalation exposure
studies in rats. Dr. Urmila Kodavanti/ETD discussed plans for comparative toxicity and intratracheal instillation studies in rodents.
Annie Jarabek (ORD/NCEA, on detail to NHEERL/ETD) described plans for developing a dosimetry model and its relevance for risk
assessment methodology. Participants also toured the remediation sites, had discussions on future research plans, and attended a
public session to discuss how the science will benefit the public. Contact: Dr. Stephen Gavett (919) 541-2555.
Featured Research
MED AND EPA REGION 5 PARTNERSHIP IN RESEARCH AND REMEDIATION CULMINATES IN TRENTON, MICHIGAN
On June 18, the first Great Lakes Legacy Act remediation site, the Black Lagoon in Trenton,
Michigan, was re-dedicated as Ellias Cove, named after the donor of the adjacent land known as
Meyer-Ellias Park. At the ribbon-cutting on the restored shoreline, an announcement was made that
a long-awaited marina would be developed at the site. The City of Trenton hosted the event with
numerous partners: participating were high-level officials from EPA, represented by
Dr. Carl Richards, MED Director; US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS); US Army Corps of
Engineers (Corps); the Michigan Departments of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) and Natural
Resources; and many political dignitaries.
Continued on next page...
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Mid-Continent Ecology Division Duluth, MN
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ELLIAS COVE, TRENTON, MICHIGAN -
CONTINUED
Other key project partners are:
Metropolitan Affairs Coalition's Greater
Detroit American Heritage River
Initiative, Michigan Sea Grant, Detroit
River Remedial Action Plan, JJR, the
Ellias family, and the Great Lakes Basin
Program for Soil Erosion and Sediment
Control.
The two-acre Black Lagoon lies within
the USFWS Detroit River International
Wildlife Refuge, the first of its kind in
North America. MED, Region 5, and
their partners have had a long history at
this site. In the mid 1980s, EPA's ORD
staff in Grosse He, Michigan (now part of
MED) conducted the primary assessment
of the site under the Upper Great Lakes
Connecting Channels Study and the
Detroit River In-Place Pollutants Study.
A series of toxicity and mutagenicity
tests, benthic invertebrate investigations,
chemical analyses, and mathematical
modeling were conducted. The lagoon
was characterized as one of the most
severely contaminated (by PCBs,
mercury, oil, grease, lead, and zinc) and
impacted sites in the Detroit River and
for all of the Great Lakes. (The name
"Black Lagoon" was coined because
extremely contaminated black sediments
were trapped in this backwater
embayment as they moved downstream
from Detroit-area industries.)
Subsequently, a series of other
characterizations were completed.
In 2004-2005, Region 5's Great Lakes
National Program Office (GLNPO), the
EPA Office of Solid Waste and
Emergency Response, MDEQ, and the
Corps completed dredging at the site
under the Great Lakes Legacy Act. In
total, $9.3 million - EPA 65%, MDEQ
35% - was spent to remove 115,000
cubic yards of sediment and dispose of it
in a special containment cell at the Pointe
Mouillee Confined Disposal Facility.
Since that time, the City of Trenton and
USFWS, in cooperation with the Detroit
River International Wildlife Refuge, have
completed the shoreline restoration
project. The USFWS awarded funds
through the Boating Infrastructure Grant
to the City of Trenton with an appropriate
match, to begin construction of a
much-needed marina to stimulate the
local economy.
Shoreline changes at the cove include
new depth where the sediment was
removed, and boulder and native plant
installation to provide three types of new
habitat for various returning wildlife. At
least seven pairs of bald eagles nest near
the wildlife refuge. Ospreys and peregrine
falcons also enjoy the area, as in the days
before contamination. Fish expected to
return and thrive are whitefish, sturgeon,
salmon, yellowbelly perch, and walleye.
This project is an excellent example of
research, modeling, and remediation
coming together to help restore a portion
of the Detroit River, a region that is
becoming internationally known for its
public-private partnerships for outdoor
recreation, conservation, and quality of
life. The river is one of only 14 in the US
to be honored with an American Heritage
River designation. In 2001, it also
received a Canadian Heritage River
designation, making it the first
international heritage river system in
North America.
This landmark restoration marks a
significant demonstration of the way a
sound science and research foundation
can lead to restoration of ecological
services and economic vitality.
Contact: Russell G. Kreis Jr. (734)
692-7615.
Current Events
MAKING A GREAT LAKE SUPERIOR, OCT. 29-31
Organized by the Lake Superior Binational Program and a large number of federal, state, tribal,
educational, and other organizations within the Lake Superior Basin, "Making a Great Lake Superior" is a
conference on Lake Superior science, management, and education. The conference is being held at the
Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center, and features presentations on the science, management, and
education of topics such as invasive species, human health, Areas of Concern, sources and types of
pollution, economic and environmental sustainability, climate change, water level change, watershed
stewardship, and fisheries and aquatic ecology. The conference features many "green" practices, such as
mass transportation, use of recycled materials, energy conservation, and volunteer activities.
Dr. Carl Richards, MED Director, is giving one of the keynote addresses in a session on "Past and Future
States of Lake Superior." Several MED scientists are making oral and poster presentations. For more
information, go to: http://www.seagrant.umn.edu/superior2007/.
MED in Review
Mid-Continent Ecology Division Duluth, MN
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New Publications since 3/13/2007
Albers, P.H., M.T. Koterba, R. Rossmann, W.A. Link, J.B. French,
R.S. Bennett, and W.C. Bauer. 2007. Effects of methyl mercury
on reproduction in American kestrels. Environmental
Toxicology and Chemistry 26:1856-1866.
Ankley, G.T., K.M. Jensen, M.D. Kahl, E.A. Makynen, L.S. Blake,
K.J. Greene, R.D. Johnson, and D.L. Villeneuve. 2007.
Ketoconazole in the fathead minnow (Pimephalespromelas)'.
Reproductive toxicity and biological compensation.
Environmental Toxicology andChemistry 26:1214-1223.
Blystone, C.R., C.S. Lambright, K.L. Howdeshell, J. Furr,
R.M. Sternberg, B.C. Butterworth, E.J. Durhan, E.A. Makynen,
G.T. Ankley, V.S. Wilson, G.A. LeBlanc, and J.L.E. Gray.
2007. Sensitivity of fetal rat testicular steroidogenesis to
maternal prochloraz exposure and the underlying mechanism of
inhibition. ToxicologicalSciences 97:512-519.
Brazner, J.C., N. Danz, G.J. Niemi, R.R. Regal, A. Trebitz,
R. Howe, J. Hanowski, L. Johnson, J. Ciborowski, C. Johnson,
E. Reavie, V.J. Brady, and G. Sgro. 2007. Evaluation of
geographic, geomorphic and human influences on Great Lakes
wetland indicators: A multi-assemblage approach. Ecological
Indicators 7:610-635.
Breen, M.S., D.L. Villeneuve, M. Breen, G.T. Ankley, and
R.B. Conolly. 2007. Mechanistic computational model of
ovarian steroidogenesis to predict biochemical responses to
endocrine active compounds. Annals ofBiomedical
Engineering 35:970-981.
Danz, N., G.J. Niemi, R.R. Regal, T. Hollenhorst, L. Johnson,
J. Hanowski, R.P. Axler, J. Ciborowski, T. Hrabik, V.J. Brady,
J.R. Kelly, J.A. Morrice, J.C. Brazner, R. Howe, C.A. Johnson,
and G.E. Host. 2007. Integrated measures of anthropogenic
stress in the U.S. Great Lakes Basin. Environmental
Management 39:631-647.
Ekman, D., Q. Teng, K. Jensen, D. Martinovic, D. Villeneuve,
G. Ankley, and T. Collette. 2007. NMR analysis of male fathead
minnow urinary metabolites: A potential approach for studying
impacts of chemical exposures. Aquatic Toxicology
85:104-112.
Erickson, R.J. 2007. Quantification of toxic effects for water
concentration-based aquatic life criteria - Part A. U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, EPA/600/R-07/065.
Etterson, M.A., J.R. Etterson, and F. J. Cuthbert. 2007. A robust
new method for analyzing community change and an example
using 83 years of avian response to forest succession.
Biological Conservation 138:381-389.
Etterson, M.A., L.R. Nagy, and T.R. Robinson. 2007. Partitioning
risk among different causes of nest failure. The Auk
124:432-443.
Etterson, M.A., B. Olsen, and R. Greenberg. 2007. The analysis of
covariates in multi-fate Markov chain nest failure models.
Studies in Avian Biology 34:55-64.
Fitzsimmons, P.N., G.J. Lien, and J.W. Nichols. 2007. A
compilation of in vitro rate and affinity values for xenobiotic
biotransformation in fish, measured under physiological
conditions. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C
145:485-506.
Helbing, C.C., C.M. Bailey, L. Ji, M. Gunderson, F. Zhang,
N. Veldhoen, R.C. Skirrow, R. Mu, M. Lesperance,
G.W. Holcombe, P.A. Kosian, J.E. Tietge, J.J. Korte, and
S.J. Degitz. 2007. Identification of gene expression indicators
for thyroid axis disruption in aXenopus laevis metamorphosis
screening assay. Part 1. Effects on the brain. Aquatic
Toxicology 82:227-241.
Helbing, C.C., L. Ji, C.M. Bailey, N. Veldhoen, F. Zhang,
G.W. Holcombe, P.A. Kosian, J.E. Tietge, J.J. Korte, and
S.J. Degitz. 2007. Identification of gene expression indicators
for thyroid axis disruption in aXenopus laevis metamorphosis
screening assay. Part 2. Effects on the tail and hindlimb.
Aquatic Toxicology 82:215-226.
Hoffman, J.C., D.A. Bronk, and J.E. Olney. 2007. Tracking
nursery habitat use in the York River estuary, Virginia by young
American shad using stable isotopes. Transactions of the
American Fisheries Society 136:1285-1297.
Larkin, P., D.L. Villeneuve, I. Knoebl, A.L. Miracle, B.J. Carter,
L. Liu, N.D. Denslow, and G.T. Ankley. 2007. Development and
validation of a 2,000 gene microarray in the fathead minnow
(Pimephales promelas). Environmental Toxicology and
Chemistry 26:1497-1506.
Nichols, J.W., P.N. Fitzsimmons, and L.P. Burkhard. 2007. In
vitro-in vivo extrapolation of quantitative hepatic
biotransformation data for fish. II. Modeled effects on chemical
bioaccumulation. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
26:1304-1319.
Smith, P.N., G.P. Cobb, C. Godard-Codding, D. Hoff,
S.T. McMurry, T.R. Rainwater, and K.D. Reynolds.
Contaminant exposure in terrestrial vertebrates. 2007.
Environmental Pollution doi:W.W16/j.envpo\.2007.06.009.
Trebitz, A.S., J.C. Brazner, V.J. Brady, R.P. Axler, and
D.K. Tanner. 2007. Turbidity tolerances of Great Lakes coastal
wetland fishes. North American Journal of Fisheries
Management 27:619-633.
Villeneuve, D.L., G.T. Ankley, E.A. Makynen, L.S. Blake,
K.J. Greene, E.B. Higley, J.L. Newsted, J.P. Giesy, and
M. Hecker. 2007. Comparison of fathead minnow ovary explant
and H295R cell-based steroidogenesis assays for identifying
endocrine-active chemicals. Ecotoxicology and Environmental
Safety 68:20-32.
Villeneuve, D.L., L.S. Blake, J.D. Brodin, K.J. Greene, I. Knoebl,
A.L. Miracle, D. Martinovic, and G.T. Ankley. 2007.
Transcription of key genes regulating gonadal steroidogenesis in
control and ketoconazole- or vinclozolin-exposed fathead
minnows. Toxicological Sciences 98:395-407.
Watanabe, K.H., K.M. Jensen, E.F. Orlando, and G.T. Ankley.
2007. What is normal? A characterization of the values and
variability in reproductive endpoints of the fathead minnow,
Pimephales promelas. Comparative Biochemistry and
Physiology Part C 146:348-356.
MED in Review
Mid-Continent Ecology Division Duluth, MN
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MED Seminars
RECENT AND UPCOMING SEMINARS
Aug. 27
Ross Lunetta, EPA/National Exposure
Research Lab Landscape Branch
Landscape change detection and
characterization project for the Great
Lakes basin
Sept. 4
Stephen Edwards, EPA National Health
and Environmental Effects Research Lab
Causal gene networks and systems
biology at the EPA
Sept. 12
Marinus L. Otte, North Dakota State
University
Biogeochemistry and metal tolerance in
wetland plants - Implications for the
evolution of metal tolerance in all
plants
Oct. 3
Dr. Jay Austin, UMD Large Lakes
Observatory
Climate change signals from Lake
Superior
Oct. 17
Allen Olmstead, MED
Xenopus Tropicalis reproductive
toxicology
Dec. 12
MED Division-wide poster event
Feb. 6
David Miller, MED
Lower food web ecosystem
productivity modeling applied to Lake
Michigan
Awards
EPA NATIONAL HONOR AWARD
Sulfate Criteria Team, Region 5 - Charles E. Stephan (and Region 5/OW recipients)
For protecting aquatic life by exemplary application of sound science and effective multi-party collaboration to develop and
apply sulfate -water quality criteria for Illinois.
ORD 2006 BRONZE MEDALS
Christine L. Russom
For innovation -within the ECOTOX Knowledge System to improve access and utility of high quality chemical toxicity
information for risk assessment and research.
Richard S. Bennett
Recognizing exceptional efforts to provide consultation and guidance to EPA Program and Regional Offices in the area of
wildlife risk assessment and population modeling techniques.
Anne M. Cotter, Colleen M. Elonen, Brian H. Hill, Terri M. Jicha, John R. Kelly, Michael L. Knuth, John A. Morrice,
Gregory S. Peterson, Michael E. Sierszen, Debra L. Taylor, Jo A. Thompson, Anett S. Trebitz, and Corlis W. West (and
other members of the Nutrients Research Team)
For scientific leadership in research to improve technical guidance for establishing nutrient criteria for estuarine, coastal, and
Great Lakes -waters.
Teresa J. Norberg-King (and other members of the ORD Microtox Team)
For exceptional technical assistance efforts by the Microtox Team to ensure that EPA 's -whole effluent toxicity test methods are
appropriately validated.
EPA's SUSTAINABLE FACILITIES PRACTICES BRANCH AWARDS
BTU Buster Award Rodney H. Booth, MED Facilities Manager
In recognition of reduction in energy use by more than 12.5 % in FY 2006, through diligent management of laboratory
operations, including manually resetting cooling and heating set points on the facility's building automation system, as -well as
completing a variable air volume system installation.
First Annual Green Thumb Award - Landscaping Team: Rodney H. Booth, Alex D. Hoffman, Janet R. Keough,
Patricia A. Kosian, Elizabeth A. Makynen, Christine L. Russom, Mary Ann Starus, Debra L. Taylor, and Corlis W. West
For the implementation of on site sustainable landscaping, by planting native grasses,
wild/lowers, and shrubs, reducing mo-wing and -water runoff. Team members also started a
public education campaign, creating an insert for the visitor brochure and a poster in the
building lobby that explain the landscaping project.
MED in Review
Mid-Continent Ecology Division Duluth, MN
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NHEERL QUALITY ASSURANCE AWARD
Anne M. Cotter
In recognition of the implementation of software for sample tracking using bar codes.
NHEERL GOAL 1 AWARD: SUPPORT THE AGENCY'S MISSION
Brian H. Hill, Mary F. Moffett (and other recipients in GED/AED/WED)
In recognition of outstanding efforts in the research and operational support for aquatic monitoring programs.
REGIONAL SETAC BEST POSTER AWARD
Lindsey Blake
Blake, L.S., D.L. Villeneuve, K.M. Jensen, D. Martinovic, M.D. Kahl, J.D. Brodin, E.A. Makynen, E.J. Durban, and G.T. Ankley.
Effects of trilostane on the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas).
Lindsey Blake, former MED Student Contractor Services (SSC), -won the best student poster award at the Mid-west regional
SETAC meeting, March 14-16, at Argonne National Laboratory in Chicago. She presented some of the gene expression -work
she has done on the Small Fish CT project. This -was a joint meeting -with the Chicago Chapter of the Society for Risk Analysis,
so there -was added competition. The award covers the student's travel costs to the national SETAC meeting in Milwaukee in
November. Lindsey is now enrolled in graduate studies at the University of Minnesota Duluth, and Gary Ankley/MED is her
advisor.
People
WELCOME PAULINE!
FRANK MOVES TO HEALTH AND SAFETY
In June, Pauline Davies joined us as a
Senior Environmental Employee
(SEE) receptionist. She is a Duluth
native, and her family includes two
daughters and two Bichons. Pauline
has experience in publishing, and
owns a small manufacturing business.
She plays the violin, cross country
skis at her cabin, and is a fan of UMD
men's hockey.
GREG LIEN AND RITA MARROW RETIRE
After a long and illustrious career,
starting in 1978, Aquatic Biologist
Greg Lien retired on April 30.
After about 20 years in the Air
Force, Rita worked at MED as
General Supply Specialist since
1998, and retired July 21.
Frank Puglisi, retired MED
Analytical/Research Chemist, is the
new SEE Occupational Safety and
Health technician. Frank will also
work with MED researchers on
pesticide metabolism, and will
become another expert on our
chemical inventory database, with
monitor Eric Mead, SHEM Program
Manager.
CRAIG JOHNSON AND MARIE NICHOLS-JOHNSON MOVE TO
NCEA/ClNCINNATI
Craig Johnson was our Acquisition
Manager since 1994. He has taken
a position at the EPA/ORD
National Center for Environmental
i Assessment (NCEA), as a Senior
Program Analyst and Quality
Assurance Coordinator.
Marie Nichols-Johnson came to
MED in 2001, and served as
Program Analyst. She is now a
Contract Support Specialist at
NCEA.
/
MED in Review
Mid-Continent Ecology Division Duluth, MN
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