Emma Fehr, Grace Landaverde, Cody Wong, Gabriel Sheck, and Ian Moran (Visiting Assistant Professor) at the Environmental Challenge in Eugene Oregon. First place!
Hello friends of Toxicology and Chemistry at the WWU College of the Environment!
We have exciting news to share. The latest addition to our toxicology team is Visiting Assistant Professor Ian Moran (left in the picture above). An alumnus of the department (BS, 2018), Ian is back on campus in a new capacity, teaching toxicology courses and supporting student research projects. In collaboration with scientists at the Northwest Fishery Science Center (NOAA), students have embarked on a research project to understand sublethal effects of stormwater on juvenile salmonids. Under Ian’s supervision, undergraduate students have conducted experiments exposing fish to 6PPDq, a transformation product of a chemical added to tires which causes pre-spawn mortality in coho salmon. Students use tools like swim tunnels, respirometry, high speed cameras, and machine learning algorithms to describe how exposure affects physiology and behavior. In the last year, five students have worked on this project gaining hands on skills caring for fish, conducting experiments, and collecting data. These transformative experiences open doors for students and complement our course offerings preparing students to tackle emerging societal challenges related to pollution and natural resource management.
The toxicology and chemistry students have always had many opportunities like these to conduct research, go to conferences, and interact with guest lecturers. These are considered high-impact practices that give all students advantages in their professional lives. One of the biggest reasons these students can pursue these activities outside of class is because of alumni donations that make funding the work easier for us to do.
Money raised on Give Day will be used to support our students in doing independent research, presenting their work, and for students who can't do research but want opportunities to participate in professional development activities. We appreciate your support of the continued legacy of student excellence in the toxicology and chemistry emphasis at WWU. Thank you for all you do.
Thanks!
Ruth Sofield and Ian Moran
Thank you for your Give Day gift in support of our students!
