My main interests are in how environmental information gets translated into developmental, behavioral, and reproductive responses and what role the endocrine system plays in the translation. I use amphibians and fish as model systems.
My current research programs involve 1) investigating the effects of man-made chemicals on physiological function and how some of these chemicals can affect the ecosystem services biodiversity provides to agricultural systems, and 2) how exposure to arsenic and uranium influence both wildlife and human health. |
I am interested in understanding how environmental factors effect species assemblages. I plan to be working in Vietnam to evaluate how rice farming practices impacts amphibian physiology and assemblage structure and function across distinct life stages. I will also evaluate where amphibian’s uptake environmental contaminants, there impacts on varying trophic levels and how they transfer nutrients throughout the surrounding environment. My ultimate goals are to develop best farming practices to maintain rice yields while promoting amphibian biodiversity.
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I am interested in understanding how arsenic exposure affects breast cancer growth and development. Estrogen and estrogen receptors play a significant role in the growth and development of certain breast cancers and arsenic has been thought to disrupt these interactions and expressions. I am using both in vitro (using MCF-7 cells) and in vivo (using zebrafish as a model) methods to investigate how arsenic exposure will affect proliferation, metabolism, and gene expression in MCF-7 cells- depending on dose, estradiol presence, and method of disclosure.
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I am studying the effects of arsenic on wound healing and how 17-beta estradiol ameliorates these effects. I am using zebrafish as a model, as these fish are genetically similar to humans and have a fast healing process. I hope to look further into the genomics of the wound healing process and determine how arsenic and estradiol affect this process.
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Shantel HenryI am examining the associated link between pesticides and adverse health outcomes. Environmental exposure to pesticides contributes greatly to the increasing occurrence of health problems in the US. I am interested in how chemical exposure can affect people’s health. Upon graduating, I hope to apply research in Pharmacy school to the field of toxicology to study the impact of environmental toxins on health.
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Shantel Henry
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Recent Lab Alumni |