Human activity has profoundly influenced the environment on a global scale. As a result of sustaining our planet’s growing population, we have increased our use of synthetic chemicals and organic contaminants. Due to emerging contaminants like pharmaceuticals, personal care products (PPCPs), and microplastics, aquatic systems are hot spots for pollution. The continued release of these contaminants has resulted in an alteration to biodiversity and ecosystem processes and functions. As urbanization extends into previously unimpacted areas, it is necessary to better understand the ecological consequences of emerging contaminants. Topics my research has focused on span from assessing the acute toxicity of eco-friendly or “green” personal products before and after degradation, microplastic contamination in inland and coastal waters, comparative assessment of microplastic impact on marine and freshwater organisms, and the presence/impact of antibiotics on environmental health. Although research centered around ecotox has been historically categorized or referenced by funding agencies as “applied research” instead of basic science. Institutions must recognize universally that contaminants act as agents of global change, impacting multiple parts of the biosphere.
About the Speaker: Austin Gray hails from Charleston, SC, where he attended The Citadel, Military College of South Carolina for his undergraduate and graduate degree. He then attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro for his Ph.D., becoming the first Black American to receive a doctorate in environmental health sciences. Currently, Gray is an assistant professor at Virginia Tech. Gray’s research priorities are focused on addressing questions related to environmental toxicology, primarily using physiological and ecological approaches to examine the impacts of legacy and emerging contaminants (PAHs, POPs, microplastics, nanoplastics, and pharmaceuticals) from anthropogenic influence and assessing their risk to a variety of freshwater and marine organisms. Since his time as a graduate student, Gray has served in various leadership roles within SETAC North America (SNA). He served as Chair of the North American Student Advisory Council (NASAC), chair of the Career Development Committee (SNA CDC), and currently serves on the SETAC North America Board of Directors. Dr. Gray was a co-founder and co-chair of the SNA Inclusive Diversity Committee (SNA IDC).
Thursday, January 26, 2023, 12:00-1:15 pm Eastern
Field Auditorium Room 1112, Grainger Hall (9 Circuit Dr, Durham, NC)
Masks are optional for in-person attendees. Please stay home if you aren’t feeling well and join us via livestream instead (see below).