Research Themes
1. Developmental Toxicology of Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Toxins
We investigate how toxins produced by harmful algal blooms such as domoic acid, saxitoxin, and anatoxin-a interfere with early development in aquatic organisms. Using zebrafish as a model, we link molecular and cellular responses to behavioral and physiological outcomes. This work helps reveal how toxin exposure during critical windows of development can lead to acute and persistent effects and provides mechanistic insight relevant to ecosystem and human health.
2. Mechanisms of Toxicant Action
Our group studies how diverse environmental toxicants, including persistent organic pollutants and emerging contaminants such as micro- and nanoplastics, disrupt normal cellular function. We integrate cellular, biochemical, physiological and transcriptomic approaches to uncover conserved pathways of toxicity and identify molecular signatures that predict adverse outcomes.
3. Environmental Stressors and Adaptive Responses
We examine how environmental stressors such as hypoxia and ocean acidification shape organismal physiology and influence sensitivity to toxicant exposures. By comparing tolerant and sensitive fish populations, we investigate the molecular and epigenetic mechanisms underlying stress adaptation and resilience, offering insights into how organisms cope with rapid environmental change.
