Dan Rittschof, PhD
Norman L. Christensen Distinguished Professor of Environmental Sciences
Duke University Marine Lab
He/him
Description: Pat McClellan Green was a visionary. In the 1990s Pat introduced me to endocrine disruptors, nanoparticles, plastics including tire components and pollution writ large. That started an experiential journey that took my interests in chemical ecology, chemical sensing, “non-toxic fouling management” and informing policy makers to often uncomfortable places. I like to say, I know just enough to be dangerous and it helps to not recognize disciplinary boundaries. I would love to extend Pat’s inspiration to making a difference. My talk will touch on topics that are ripe for future study.
About the speaker: Dr. Rittschof’s day to day research focus is ecology with emphasis on larval biology, chemical, behavioral, spatial ecology and environmental toxicology. Theoretical contributions are in the origins and evolution of chemical systems. Presently, there are three areas of focus: 1) Ecology and behavioral biology of local macroinvertebrates such as blue crabs and mud snails; 2) Barnacle models as they relate to fouling and the prevention of fouling and bioadhesives; 3. Impacts of xenobiotics on behavior and reproduction. Dr. Rittschof and his students are funded in all three areas with grants to work on a variety of aspects of ecology and reproduction of blue crabs, grants to study families of barnacles with heritable biological adhesive phenotypes and to provide expertise in barnacle biology and to provide living material for the Office of Naval Research Fouling Research program and funding to study impacts of biocide boosters on reproduction and fecundity of target and non target species. He continues to participate in an antifouling program in Singapore which began January 2000. The Singapore program has the goal of using drugs from medicine as environmentally benign antifoulants. He has recently begun collaborative research programs in India and Brazil. Dr. Rittschof earned his MS and PhD at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Thursday, January 23, 2025, 12:00-1:15pm Eastern
Field Auditorium, Room 1112, Grainger Hall (9 Circuit Drive, Durham, NC)
This seminar will also be presented live via Panopto. Click HERE for the livestream.