Paula Henry is a research physiologist at the Eastern Ecological Science Center in Laurel, MD.
Her areas of research focus on sublethal and endocrine effects of environmental contaminant exposure on avian, amphibian and reptilian physiology and behaviors, and on anthropogenic factors affecting wildlife populations within estuarine and wetland habitats. Her work seeks to integrate laboratory, pen, and field studies for evaluating relative sensitivities of wildlife exposed to environmental pollutants including metals, pesticides, agricultural additives, and industrial chemicals. Paula lead a multi-year USGS field survey and research study investigating declining terrapin populations in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, and continues to monitor box turtles on the Patuxent Wildlife Refuge.as part of a historical and long term population study
Education/Training:
- Ph.D. in Marine Estuarine Environmental Science(Endpoint measurements for endocrine disrupting contaminant effects on wildlife)
- M.S. in Zoology and Endocrinology (Effects of sublethal dietary levels of EPN (0-ethyl,0-4-nitrophenylphenylphosphonothioate) on growing mallard ducklings, Anas platyrhynchos), from the University of Maryland, College Park
- B.A. (Le matin apres la mescaline) from Reed College in Portland Oregon.
Awards
- USGS Special Act Service Award, Time off Awards and Star Awards: 1998, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2012, 2013
- Scientific Achievement Award: Coauthor on Publication of Significance 1997.
- NBS Certificate of Appreciation, Quality Service Award, and Performance Award. 1994, 1995, 1996
- Chesapeake and Potomac Regional Chapter, SETAC. Graduate Student Research Award 1996.
- USFWS Special Achievement Award and Quality Performance Award. 1989, 1991
- USUHS – DoD Certificate of Outstanding Performance. 1986
- USFWS and US EPA Graduate Student Research Assistantship 1982.
Advisory Committees:
- Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative Methods, DOI alternate: 2015
- DOI One Health, USGS Contaminant representative: 2015
- SETAC Chesapeake Potomac Regional Committee, Member: 1996-1998; 2000-present; Board of Directors 2012-2015; Vice-President 2015-present.
- Diamondback Terrapin Working Group. Member: 2004-present; Chair for the Mid Atlantic Region: 2004-2007.
- NE Partners in Amphibians and Reptiles Conservation Task Team, Amphibian and Reptile Diseases (Rana virus), Member: 2011-present.
- Inter County Connector (ICC) Box Turtle Advisory Committee. Member: 2007-2009.
- Strategic Environmental Research Program /Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (SERP/ESTP): USGS Science Representative: 2007-2008.
- USGS PWRC Animal Care and Use Committee. Research representative: 1991-1993;2003-2005; Chair: 2005-2008.
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 14
Bird Hatchling Development Following Exposure to Environmentally Relevant Levels of Brominated Flame Retardants
Scientists performed laboratory studies with American kestrels and zebra finch to determine the effects of brominated flame retardant exposure on hatchlings. They found evidence that exposure while in the egg disrupted thyroid function in female American kestrel hatchlings and affected nestling body condition in zebra finch hatchlings, but no other effects were detected.
Effects of Short Chain Chlorinated Paraffins (SCCPs) on developing birds
The Challenge: Short-Chain Chlorinated Paraffins (SCCPs) are complex technical mixtures of polychlorinated n-alkanes used in lubricants and coolants in metalworking, as flame retardants, and in paints, adhesives, sealants, textiles and polymeric materials, plastics and rubber. SCCPs are of concern because they are globally transported, bioaccumulate in wildlife and humans, and are environmentally...
Terrestrial wildlife and legacy oil mining on National Wildlife Refuges
Amphibian surveys are being conducted on select National Wildlife Refuges with active and/or legacy oil mining to determine species relative distribution and their risk to short- and long-term effects from exposure to crude oil and its byproducts.
Produced water from Marcellus Shale and amphibians
Research biologists at the USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center at the Patuxent Research Refuge are conducting a series of scientific studies on the potential effects of wastewater from hydraulic fracturing activities on terrestrial wildlife. Findings will help in assessing proposals for managing recycling and distribution of large volumes of flowback and produced waters generated by methods of...
Contaminant-related Activities in Support of Client Agencies in the Department of the Interior
We undertake many research activities in support of the mission of the Department of the Interior. One such activity is to evaluate the potential hazard and risk of environmental contaminants to natural resources.
Genomic and Behavioral Effects of the Neonicotinoid Imidacloprid in Birds Exposed Through Pesticide-Coated Seeds
The Challenge: Neonicotinoid pesticides act as agonists of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) and are designed to be lethal to insects while theoretically posing little to no threat to vertebrates. The perceived safety of neonicotinoids has led to a sharp increase in their use in the United States and globally, since they were first introduced in 1994. The use of the neonicotinoid...
Assessing Toxicogenomics Effects of a Synthetic Androgen on Japanese Quail and the Development of an Avian Vitellogenesis Model
The Challenge: Endocrine active chemicals (EAC) are known to interfere with hormonally regulated physiological processes, thereby affecting signaling in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal-liver (HPGL) axis and commonly resulting in reproductive dysfunction. Computational models that relate hormonal and genomic biomarkers within the HPGL axis to the reproductive cycle and ecologically relevant...
The Role of Japanese Quail in Ecotoxicology
The Challenge: Wild birds are exposed throughout their lives to natural and synthetic chemicals that are present in the environment, many of which interfere with the animal’s physiological and developmental systems. Relative concentrations, routes, frequency, and the environment in which chemical exposure occurs will determine to a large extent the bird’s response. Well-designed avian field...
Assessing Adverse Outcomes Associated with Exposure of Birds to Flame Retardants
The Challenge: The use of flame retardants (FRs) as additives in a variety of consumer use products, including plastics, textiles, and electronics, is projected to continue and increase for the foreseeable future. Because of unanticipated environmental problems, some FRs have either been banned, restricted, or are being phased-out and replaced by other new and presumably safer FRs. Regrettably...
Do Neonicotinoid Pesticide Seed Coatings Pose a Hazard to Seed-eating Birds?
Treating or “dressing” of seeds with pesticides is a commonly used method to enhance crop yield in agriculture. Regrettably, such treated seeds can be ingested by wildlife, and depending on the extent of exposure, can cause adverse effects.
Toxicity of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers and Other Flame Retardants to Wildlife
Flame retardants are a class of commonly used household and industrial products. Because of widespread use, there is concern that their presence in the environment can potentially pose a hazard and risk to wildlife.
Poisoning of Migratory Birds at Contaminated Sites
The Challenge: The Department of the Interior (DOI) and the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration are trustees for a wide variety natural resources that belong to all Americans. Additional natural resources are overseen by Native American tribes, states, and other federal agencies. Migratory birds are an example of a trust species for DOI, under the US Fish and Wildlife Service. When wild...
Science and Products
- Science
Filter Total Items: 14
Bird Hatchling Development Following Exposure to Environmentally Relevant Levels of Brominated Flame Retardants
Scientists performed laboratory studies with American kestrels and zebra finch to determine the effects of brominated flame retardant exposure on hatchlings. They found evidence that exposure while in the egg disrupted thyroid function in female American kestrel hatchlings and affected nestling body condition in zebra finch hatchlings, but no other effects were detected.Effects of Short Chain Chlorinated Paraffins (SCCPs) on developing birds
The Challenge: Short-Chain Chlorinated Paraffins (SCCPs) are complex technical mixtures of polychlorinated n-alkanes used in lubricants and coolants in metalworking, as flame retardants, and in paints, adhesives, sealants, textiles and polymeric materials, plastics and rubber. SCCPs are of concern because they are globally transported, bioaccumulate in wildlife and humans, and are environmentally...Terrestrial wildlife and legacy oil mining on National Wildlife Refuges
Amphibian surveys are being conducted on select National Wildlife Refuges with active and/or legacy oil mining to determine species relative distribution and their risk to short- and long-term effects from exposure to crude oil and its byproducts.Produced water from Marcellus Shale and amphibians
Research biologists at the USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center at the Patuxent Research Refuge are conducting a series of scientific studies on the potential effects of wastewater from hydraulic fracturing activities on terrestrial wildlife. Findings will help in assessing proposals for managing recycling and distribution of large volumes of flowback and produced waters generated by methods of...Contaminant-related Activities in Support of Client Agencies in the Department of the Interior
We undertake many research activities in support of the mission of the Department of the Interior. One such activity is to evaluate the potential hazard and risk of environmental contaminants to natural resources.Genomic and Behavioral Effects of the Neonicotinoid Imidacloprid in Birds Exposed Through Pesticide-Coated Seeds
The Challenge: Neonicotinoid pesticides act as agonists of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) and are designed to be lethal to insects while theoretically posing little to no threat to vertebrates. The perceived safety of neonicotinoids has led to a sharp increase in their use in the United States and globally, since they were first introduced in 1994. The use of the neonicotinoid...Assessing Toxicogenomics Effects of a Synthetic Androgen on Japanese Quail and the Development of an Avian Vitellogenesis Model
The Challenge: Endocrine active chemicals (EAC) are known to interfere with hormonally regulated physiological processes, thereby affecting signaling in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal-liver (HPGL) axis and commonly resulting in reproductive dysfunction. Computational models that relate hormonal and genomic biomarkers within the HPGL axis to the reproductive cycle and ecologically relevant...The Role of Japanese Quail in Ecotoxicology
The Challenge: Wild birds are exposed throughout their lives to natural and synthetic chemicals that are present in the environment, many of which interfere with the animal’s physiological and developmental systems. Relative concentrations, routes, frequency, and the environment in which chemical exposure occurs will determine to a large extent the bird’s response. Well-designed avian field...Assessing Adverse Outcomes Associated with Exposure of Birds to Flame Retardants
The Challenge: The use of flame retardants (FRs) as additives in a variety of consumer use products, including plastics, textiles, and electronics, is projected to continue and increase for the foreseeable future. Because of unanticipated environmental problems, some FRs have either been banned, restricted, or are being phased-out and replaced by other new and presumably safer FRs. Regrettably...Do Neonicotinoid Pesticide Seed Coatings Pose a Hazard to Seed-eating Birds?
Treating or “dressing” of seeds with pesticides is a commonly used method to enhance crop yield in agriculture. Regrettably, such treated seeds can be ingested by wildlife, and depending on the extent of exposure, can cause adverse effects.Toxicity of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers and Other Flame Retardants to Wildlife
Flame retardants are a class of commonly used household and industrial products. Because of widespread use, there is concern that their presence in the environment can potentially pose a hazard and risk to wildlife.Poisoning of Migratory Birds at Contaminated Sites
The Challenge: The Department of the Interior (DOI) and the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration are trustees for a wide variety natural resources that belong to all Americans. Additional natural resources are overseen by Native American tribes, states, and other federal agencies. Migratory birds are an example of a trust species for DOI, under the US Fish and Wildlife Service. When wild... - Data
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