Michaelah C Wilson
(She/Her/They/Them)Michaelah Wilson is an environmental chemist for the USGS Kansas Water Science Center Organic Geochemistry Research Laboratory in Lawrence, KS.
Michaelah Wilson is an environmental chemist whose career is dedicated to studying the occurrence, transport, and fate of organic contaminants in the environment. She’s worked with a variety of matrices including water, soil, sediment, biosolids, manures, insect & plant tissues, and drill fluids. Michaelah has been with the OGRL since 2013, contributing to both the Water and the Ecosystems Mission Areas, providing crucial data to help assess the impacts of anthropogenic compounds on environmental and human health.
Other career interests: I enjoy working on DEIA and Environmental Justice efforts within the USGS, as well as participating in outreach events that may inspire the next generation of scientists! In the future, I would love to get more involved with studying the impacts of light pollution on environmental & human health.
Education and Certifications
M.S., 2018, Arizona State University, Major: Biomimicry
B.S., 2015, University of Kansas, Major: Chemistry
Certificate, 2009, Wildlife & Forestry Conservation and Management
Science and Products
Antibiotic and Antibiotic Resistance Signatures in Iowa Streams, 2019
Chemical and microbiological results, quality assurance and quality control, site location, and method information for surface water, bed sediment, and wastewater effluent collected from 34 stream locations across Iowa (United States). Environmental samples were analyzed for a suite of 29 antibiotics, plated on selective media for 15 types of bacteria growth, and DNA was extracted from culture gro
Results from U.S. Geological Survey Environmental Health Food Resources Lifecycle Integrated Science Team, Graton Pesticides (GRAPE) Study, in Graton, California, April–May 2021
In the spring of 2021, six households with private wells were selected throughout Graton, California, based on proximity to agriculture (within one mile of agriculture), well depth (i.e., less than 150 feet in depth), and well type (i.e., dug versus drilled). Silicone bands were deployed for 30 days at outdoor locations at each household to passively sample pesticides in ambient air. On May 3, 202
Organic and inorganic constituents in surface water and native and non-native fish and frog health data collected from streams, impoundments and wetlands in the New Jersey Pinelands, 2017-2020 (ver. 1.1, August 2022)
The data presented include concentrations of 122 organic, 23 inorganic constituents, and estrogenicity in water collected from 13 off-stream non-point source sites (natural and created wetlands) and eight on-stream point source sites (streams and impoundments) in the New Jersey Pinelands, 2017-2020. Native and non-native fish health data collected from the on-stream sites as well as native frog da
Water-quality results from a wastewater reuse study: Inorganic and organic compositions of wastewater effluent and select urban and agricultural water types during rain-induced runoff, Chickasha, Oklahoma, 2018-2019
Oklahoma State University South-Central Research Station (SCRS) was used to conduct research to understand the chemical composition of various water types and their potential environmental and human health effects. The study area provided the opportunity to study five water types: (1) receiving surface water (Washita River), (2) urban stormwater, (3) wastewater treatment plant effluent used for ir
Simultaneous stream assessment of antibiotics, bacteria, antibiotic resistant bacteria, and antibiotic resistant genes in an agricultural region of the United States
Antimicrobial resistance is now recognized as a leading global threat to human health. Nevertheless, there currently is a limited understanding of the environment's role in the spread of AMR and antibiotic resistant genes (ARG). In 2019, the U.S. Geological Survey conducted the first statewide assessment of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and ARGs in surface water and bed sediment collected fr
Authors
Carrie E Givens, Dana W. Kolpin, Laura E. Hubbard, Shannon M. Meppelink, David M. Cwiertny, Darrin A. Thompson, Rachael F. Lane, Michaelah C. Wilson
Contaminant exposure and transport from three potential reuse waters within a single watershed
Global demand for safe and sustainable water supplies necessitates a better understanding of contaminant exposures in potential reuse waters. In this study, we compared exposures and load contributions to surface water from the discharge of three reuse waters (wastewater effluent, urban stormwater, and agricultural runoff). Results document substantial and varying organic-chemical contribution to
Authors
Jason R. Masoner, Dana W. Kolpin, Isabelle M. Cozzarelli, Paul M. Bradley, Brian Arnall, Kenneth J. Forshay, James L. Gray, Justin F. Groves, Michelle Hladik, Laura E. Hubbard, Luke R. Iwanowicz, Jeanne B. Jaeschke, Rachael F. Lane, R. Blaine McCleskey, Bridgette F. Polite, David A. Roth, Michael Pettijohn, Michaelah C. Wilson
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Environmental Health Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Colorado Water Science Center, California Water Science Center, Central Midwest Water Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Kansas Water Science Center, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC), Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Reston Biogeochemical Processes in Groundwater Laboratory
Detecting algal toxins and organic contaminants of concern in the environment
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Kansas Water Science Center Organic Geochemistry Research Laboratory (OGRL) was established in 1987. The OGRL is a multidisciplinary program that contributes knowledge about the distribution, fate, transport, and effects of new and understudied organic compounds that may affect human health and (or) ecosystems. The OGRL consists of two units: Algal and Other Envir
Authors
Julie E. Dietze, Rachael F. Lane, Keith A. Loftin, Daniel L. Tush, Michaelah C. Wilson
Influence of land use and region on glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid in streams in the USA
Glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide in the United States for agricultural and non-agricultural weed control. Many studies demonstrate possible effects of glyphosate and its degradate AMPA on human and ecological health. Although glyphosate is thought to have limited mobility in soil, it is found year-round in many rivers and streams throughout the world in both agricultural and developed
Authors
Laura Medalie, Nancy T. Baker, Megan E. Shoda, Wesley W. Stone, Michael T. Meyer, Edward G. Stets, Michaelah C. Wilson
Science and Products
Antibiotic and Antibiotic Resistance Signatures in Iowa Streams, 2019
Chemical and microbiological results, quality assurance and quality control, site location, and method information for surface water, bed sediment, and wastewater effluent collected from 34 stream locations across Iowa (United States). Environmental samples were analyzed for a suite of 29 antibiotics, plated on selective media for 15 types of bacteria growth, and DNA was extracted from culture gro
Results from U.S. Geological Survey Environmental Health Food Resources Lifecycle Integrated Science Team, Graton Pesticides (GRAPE) Study, in Graton, California, April–May 2021
In the spring of 2021, six households with private wells were selected throughout Graton, California, based on proximity to agriculture (within one mile of agriculture), well depth (i.e., less than 150 feet in depth), and well type (i.e., dug versus drilled). Silicone bands were deployed for 30 days at outdoor locations at each household to passively sample pesticides in ambient air. On May 3, 202
Organic and inorganic constituents in surface water and native and non-native fish and frog health data collected from streams, impoundments and wetlands in the New Jersey Pinelands, 2017-2020 (ver. 1.1, August 2022)
The data presented include concentrations of 122 organic, 23 inorganic constituents, and estrogenicity in water collected from 13 off-stream non-point source sites (natural and created wetlands) and eight on-stream point source sites (streams and impoundments) in the New Jersey Pinelands, 2017-2020. Native and non-native fish health data collected from the on-stream sites as well as native frog da
Water-quality results from a wastewater reuse study: Inorganic and organic compositions of wastewater effluent and select urban and agricultural water types during rain-induced runoff, Chickasha, Oklahoma, 2018-2019
Oklahoma State University South-Central Research Station (SCRS) was used to conduct research to understand the chemical composition of various water types and their potential environmental and human health effects. The study area provided the opportunity to study five water types: (1) receiving surface water (Washita River), (2) urban stormwater, (3) wastewater treatment plant effluent used for ir
Simultaneous stream assessment of antibiotics, bacteria, antibiotic resistant bacteria, and antibiotic resistant genes in an agricultural region of the United States
Antimicrobial resistance is now recognized as a leading global threat to human health. Nevertheless, there currently is a limited understanding of the environment's role in the spread of AMR and antibiotic resistant genes (ARG). In 2019, the U.S. Geological Survey conducted the first statewide assessment of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and ARGs in surface water and bed sediment collected fr
Authors
Carrie E Givens, Dana W. Kolpin, Laura E. Hubbard, Shannon M. Meppelink, David M. Cwiertny, Darrin A. Thompson, Rachael F. Lane, Michaelah C. Wilson
Contaminant exposure and transport from three potential reuse waters within a single watershed
Global demand for safe and sustainable water supplies necessitates a better understanding of contaminant exposures in potential reuse waters. In this study, we compared exposures and load contributions to surface water from the discharge of three reuse waters (wastewater effluent, urban stormwater, and agricultural runoff). Results document substantial and varying organic-chemical contribution to
Authors
Jason R. Masoner, Dana W. Kolpin, Isabelle M. Cozzarelli, Paul M. Bradley, Brian Arnall, Kenneth J. Forshay, James L. Gray, Justin F. Groves, Michelle Hladik, Laura E. Hubbard, Luke R. Iwanowicz, Jeanne B. Jaeschke, Rachael F. Lane, R. Blaine McCleskey, Bridgette F. Polite, David A. Roth, Michael Pettijohn, Michaelah C. Wilson
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Environmental Health Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Colorado Water Science Center, California Water Science Center, Central Midwest Water Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Kansas Water Science Center, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC), Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Reston Biogeochemical Processes in Groundwater Laboratory
Detecting algal toxins and organic contaminants of concern in the environment
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Kansas Water Science Center Organic Geochemistry Research Laboratory (OGRL) was established in 1987. The OGRL is a multidisciplinary program that contributes knowledge about the distribution, fate, transport, and effects of new and understudied organic compounds that may affect human health and (or) ecosystems. The OGRL consists of two units: Algal and Other Envir
Authors
Julie E. Dietze, Rachael F. Lane, Keith A. Loftin, Daniel L. Tush, Michaelah C. Wilson
Influence of land use and region on glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid in streams in the USA
Glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide in the United States for agricultural and non-agricultural weed control. Many studies demonstrate possible effects of glyphosate and its degradate AMPA on human and ecological health. Although glyphosate is thought to have limited mobility in soil, it is found year-round in many rivers and streams throughout the world in both agricultural and developed
Authors
Laura Medalie, Nancy T. Baker, Megan E. Shoda, Wesley W. Stone, Michael T. Meyer, Edward G. Stets, Michaelah C. Wilson