Natalie Karouna-Renier, Ph.D.
Natalie is a Research Ecologist and leader of the Molecular Toxicology Laboratory at Eastern Ecological Science Center in Laurel, MD. Natalie's expertise is in molecular toxicology with a focus on understanding, detecting, and predicting the effects of environmental stressors on wildlife.
Natalie's laboratory uses genomic, transcriptomic, metabolomic, microbiomic, endocrine, and biochemical tools to develop novel biomarkers and assessment tools and applies these in collaborative field and laboratory studies that investigate regional, national, and international environmental health questions. Current projects in her lab fall under the broad scope of ecotoxicology, focusing on immune system and disease susceptibility, endocrine disruption, genotoxicity, and health status of birds and other wildlife. Hazards and toxicity of contemporary contaminants, such as perfluorinated compounds (PFAS), flame retardants and neonicotinoid pesticides are of particular interest. The data are used for forecasting effects on individuals and populations, identifying wildlife that are potentially being harmed, assessing damage to trust resources, and otherwise informing natural resource management decisions.
Professional Experience
Post-Doctoral Research Associate, University of West Florida, Pensacola, FL. August 2003 to December 2005. Studied pollution effects on community health in northwest Florida.
Graduate Research Associate, University of West Florida, Pensacola, FL, October 2000 to June 2002. Doctoral research investigating genomic biomarkers of metal exposure in aquatic invertebrates.
Visiting Researcher, Environmental Molecular Physiology, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Japan. September 1999 to April 2000. Investigated induction of stress proteins by pollutants in midge larvae.
Selected Fellow, National Science Foundation, Summer Institute in Japan, Tsukuba, Japan. July 1999 to August 1999. Examined effects of copper on gene expression in yeast.
Graduate Assistant, USGS NY WSC, Troy, NY. August 1995 to July 1997. Collected and analyzed water quality and macroinvertebrate data for a study of forest harvesting effects on streams.
Biological Technician, Wildlife Toxicology Group, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD. September 1991 to October 1994. Evaluated toxicity of stormwater treatment pond contaminants on macroinvertebrates
Research Assistant, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, Washington, DC. June 1990 to March 1993. Analyzed and interpreted water quality and biomonitoring data for the Anacostia River.
Education and Certifications
PhD in Biology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY
MS in Toxicology from the University of Maryland
BS in Biology from Colgate University, Hamilton, NY
Science and Products
Chesapeake Bay fish–osprey (Pandion haliaetus) food chain: Evaluation of contaminant exposure and genetic damage
Decadal re-evaluation of contaminant exposure and productivity of ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) nesting in Chesapeake Bay Regions of Concern
Chromosomal damage and EROD induction in tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) along the Upper Mississippi River, Minnesota, USA
Investigating endocrine and physiological parameters of captive American kestrels exposed by diet to selected organophosphate flame retardants
Changes in thyroid parameters of hatchling American kestrels (Falco sparverius) following embryonic exposure to technical short chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs; C10-13, 55.5% CL)
Assessment of mitochondrial DNA damage in little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus) collected near a mercury-contaminated river
Comparative embryotoxicity of a pentabrominated diphenyl ether mixture to common terns (Sterna hirundo) and American kestrels (Falco sparverius)
Gene expression, glutathione status and indicators of hepatic oxidative stress in laughing gull (Larus atricilla) hatchlings exposed to methylmercury
Effect of 17β-trenbolone on male and female reproduction in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)
Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and striped mullet (Mugil cephalus) as vectors of contaminants to human consumers in northwest Florida
A noninvasive, direct real-time PCR method for sex determination in multiple avian species
Associations between dioxins/furans and dioxin-like PCBs in estuarine sediment and blue crab
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Chesapeake Bay fish–osprey (Pandion haliaetus) food chain: Evaluation of contaminant exposure and genetic damage
From 2011 to 2013, a large-scale ecotoxicological study was conducted in several Chesapeake Bay (USA) tributaries (Susquehanna River and flats, the Back, Baltimore Harbor/Patapsco Rivers, Anacostia/ middle Potomac, Elizabeth and James Rivers) and Poplar Island as a mid-Bay reference site. Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) diet and the transfer of contaminants from fish to osprey eggs were evaluated. TheAuthorsRebecca S. Lazarus, Barnett A. Rattner, Peter C. McGowan, Robert C. Hale, Natalie K. Karouna-Reiner, Richard A. Erickson, Mary Ann OttingerDecadal re-evaluation of contaminant exposure and productivity of ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) nesting in Chesapeake Bay Regions of Concern
The last large-scale ecotoxicological study of ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) in Chesapeake Bay was conducted in 2000-2001 and focused on U.S. EPA-designated Regions of Concern (ROCs; Baltimore Harbor/Patapsco, Anacostia/middle Potomac, and Elizabeth Rivers). In 2011-2012, ROCs were re-evaluated to determine spatial and temporal trends in productivity and contaminants. Concentrations of p,p'-DDE wereAuthorsRebecca S. Lazarus, Barnett A. Rattner, Peter C. McGowan, Robert C. Hale, Sandra L. Schultz, Natalie K. Karouna-Renier, Mary Ann OttingerChromosomal damage and EROD induction in tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) along the Upper Mississippi River, Minnesota, USA
The health of tree swallows, Tachycineta bicolor, on the Upper Mississippi River (UMR) was assessed in 2010 and 2011 using biomarkers at six sites downriver of Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN metropolitan area, a tributary into the UMR, and a nearby lake. Chromosomal damage was evaluated in nestling blood by measuring the coefficient of variation of DNA content (DNA CV) using flow cytometry. Cytochrome PAuthorsEmilie Bigorgne, Thomas W. Custer, Paul Dummer, Richard A. Erickson, Natalie K. Karouna-Renier, Sandra L. Schultz, Christine M. Custer, Wayne E. Thogmartin, Cole W. MatsonInvestigating endocrine and physiological parameters of captive American kestrels exposed by diet to selected organophosphate flame retardants
Organophosphate triesters are high production volume additive flame retardants (OPFRs) and plasticizers. Shown to accumulate in abiotic and biotic environmental compartments, little is known about the risks they pose. Captive adult male American kestrels (Falco sparverius) were fed the same dose (22 ng OPFR/g kestrel/d) daily (21 d) of tris(2- butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBOEP), tris(2-chloroethyl) phAuthorsKJ Fernie, V. Palace, L. Peters, Niladri Basu, R.J. Letcher, Natalie K. Karouna-Renier, Sandra L. Schultz, Rebecca S. Lazarus, Barnett A. RattnerChanges in thyroid parameters of hatchling American kestrels (Falco sparverius) following embryonic exposure to technical short chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs; C10-13, 55.5% CL)
Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) are complex mixtures of polychlorinated n-alkanes categorized according to their carbon chain length: short chain (SCCPs, C10 – C13), medium (C14 - C17), and long chain (C>17), chlorinated paraffins. SCCPs are primarily used in metalworking applications, as flame retardants, and in paints, adhesives, sealants, textiles, plastics and rubber (UNEP 2012). In 2012, the UnitAuthorsKimberly J. Fernie, Paula F. P. Henry, Robert J. Letcher, Vince P. Palace, Lisa E. Peters, Barnett A. Rattner, Edward Sverko, Natalie K. Karouna-RenierAssessment of mitochondrial DNA damage in little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus) collected near a mercury-contaminated river
Historical discharges of Hg into the South River near the town of Waynesboro, VA, USA, have resulted in persistently elevated Hg concentrations in sediment, surface water, ground water, soil, and wildlife downstream of the discharge site. In the present study, we examined mercury (Hg) levels in in little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus) from this location and assessed the utility of a non-destructiveAuthorsNatalie K. Karouna-Renier, Carl White, Christopher R. Perkins, John J. Schmerfeld, David YatesComparative embryotoxicity of a pentabrominated diphenyl ether mixture to common terns (Sterna hirundo) and American kestrels (Falco sparverius)
Concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in Forster’s tern (Sterna forsteri) eggs from San Francisco Bay have been reported to range up to 63 μg g−1 lipid weight. This value exceeds the lowest-observed-adverse-effect level (1.8 μg g−1 egg wet weight; ∼32 μg−1 lipid weight) reported in an embryotoxicity study with American kestrels (Falco sparverius). As a surrogate for Forster’s teAuthorsBarnett A. Rattner, Rebecca S. Lazarus, Gary H. Heinz, Natalie K. Karouna-Reiner, Sandra L. Schultz, Robert C. HaleGene expression, glutathione status and indicators of hepatic oxidative stress in laughing gull (Larus atricilla) hatchlings exposed to methylmercury
Despite extensive studies of methylmercury (MeHg) toxicity in birds, molecular effects on birds are poorly characterized. To improve our understanding of toxicity pathways and identify novel indicators of avian exposure to Hg, the authors investigated genomic changes, glutathione status, and oxidative status indicators in liver from laughing gull (Larus atricilla) hatchlings that were exposed inAuthorsKathryn Jenko, Natalie K. Karouna-Renier, David J. HoffmanEffect of 17β-trenbolone on male and female reproduction in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)
The anabolic steroid 17β trenbolone (17β-TB), a known endocrine disrupting chemical, may influence reproductive functions in avian wildlife. We evaluated the effects of dietary exposure to 17β-TB at 5 and 20 ppm on reproductive functional endpoints in Japanese quail during and after sexual maturation. In the male, 5 and 20 ppm treatments revealed no differences in body and testes weight, testes hiAuthorsPaula F.P. Henry, Valorie G. Akuffo, Yu Chen, Natalie K. Karouna-Renier, Daniel T. Sprague, Murray R. BakstLargemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and striped mullet (Mugil cephalus) as vectors of contaminants to human consumers in northwest Florida
The health benefits of regular consumption of fish and seafood have been espoused for many years. However, fish are also a potential source of environmental contaminants that have well known adverse effects on human health. We investigated the consumption risks for largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides; n = 104) and striped mullet (Mugil cephalus; n = 170), two commonly harvested and consumed fisAuthorsNatalie K. Karouna-Renier, Richard A. Snyder, Ted Lange, Suzanne Gibson, Jeffrey G. Allison, Matthew E. Wagner, K. Ranga RaoA noninvasive, direct real-time PCR method for sex determination in multiple avian species
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods to determine the sex of birds are well established and have seen few modifications since they were first introduced in the 1990s. Although these methods allowed for sex determination in species that were previously difficult to analyse, they were not conducive to high-throughput analysis because of the laboriousness of DNA extraction and gel electrophoAuthorsJessica L. Brubaker, Natalie K. Karouna-Renier, Yu Chen, Kathryn Jenko, Daniel T. Sprague, Paula F.P. HenryAssociations between dioxins/furans and dioxin-like PCBs in estuarine sediment and blue crab
The objective of the present study was to evaluate the relationships between the quantity, toxicity, and compositional profile of dioxin/furan compounds (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) in estuarine sediment and in the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus). Sediment and blue crab samples were collected in three small urban estuaries that are in relatively close proximity toAuthorsJ. Liebens, C.J. Mohrherr, Natalie K. Karouna-Renier, R.A. Snyder, K.R. Rao