Paula Henry, Ph.D.
Biography
Paula Henry is a research physiologist at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel Maryland. 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
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...
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 Patuxent Wildlife Research Center (PWRC) 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 oil and gas...
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.
Agricultural Activities and Pesticides
Agriculture plays an important role in our economy and many kinds of chemicals are used for the production, transportation, storage, and manufacturing of food. Agricultural areas attract a variety of wildlife and our scientists provide the needed research to understand potential hazards to wildlife from these agricultural chemicals and how unintentionally exposed animals may be affected.
Industrial Chemicals and Processes
Industry, including manufacturing, chemical processing, and energy development and extraction, is a critical part of our nation’s economy. Chemicals such as lubricants, coolants, flame retardants, adhesives and others are widely used in industrial processes. And sometimes these chemicals are encountered by wildlife as spills, wastes, and byproducts in the environment. Our research seeks to...
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.
Diamondback Terrapins in Chesapeake Bay, 2002 Beach Survey
The survey was conducted in summer 2002 to assess the presence of terrapins in the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay. Results are spatial locations of evidence related to nesting.
Endocrine and physiological responses of hatchling American kestrels (Falco sparverius) following embryonic exposure to technical short-chain chlorinated paraffins (C10-13)
Short chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) are complex mixtures of polychlorinated n-alkanes, shown to bioaccumulate but with unknown effects in wild birds. The present study examined development-related effects of SCCPs on captive American kestrels (Falco sparverius) treated in ovo on embryonic day (ED) 5 by injection with technical...
Fernie, Kim J.; Karouna-Renier, Natalie K.; Letcher, R. J.; Schultz, Sandra L.; Peters, L. E.; Palace, V.; Henry, Paula F. P. Minimizing the spread of aquatic herpetofaunal pathogens by decontaminating construction equipment
Some problems have relatively simple solutions compared to the cost of neglect. Preventing the spread of invasive species and harmful pathogens clinging to construction equipment is one such solution. Here we explain how resource managers and contractors can decontaminate construction and field equipment by cleaning, disinfecting, and drying, thus...
Julian, James T.; Henry, Paula F. P.; Drasher, James M.; Michell, Kathy; Smith, Scott A. In ovo exposure to brominated flame retardants Part II: Assessment of effects of TBBPA-BDBPE and BTBPE on hatching success, morphometric and physiological endpoints in American kestrels
Tetrabromobisphenol A bis(2,3-dibromopropyl ether) (TBBPA-BDBPE) and 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)ethane (BTPBE) are both brominated flame retardants (BFRs) that have been detected in birds; however, their potential biological effects are largely unknown. We assessed the effects of embryonic exposure to TBBPA-BDBPE and BTBPE in a model avian...
Eng, Margaret; Karouna-Renier, Natalie K.; Henry, Paula F. P.; Letcher, Robert J.; Schultz, Sandra L.; Bean, Thomas G.; Peters, Lisa E.; Palace, Vince P.; Williams, Tony D.; Elliott, John E.; Fernie, Kim J. In ovo exposure to brominated flame retardants Part I: Assessment of effects of TBBPA-BDBPE on survival, morphometric and physiological endpoints in zebra finches
Tetrabromobisphenol A bis(2,3-dibromopropyl) ether (TBBPA-BDBPE) is an additive flame retardant used in polyolefins and polymers. It has been detected in biota, including in avian eggs, yet little is known of its effects. We assessed the pattern of TBBPA-BDBPE concentrations in songbird eggs over the incubation period, and the effects of embryonic...
Eng, Margaret; Williams, Tony D.; Fernie, Kim J.; Karouna-Renier, Natalie K.; Henry, Paula F. P.; Letcher, Robert J.; Elliott, John E. Toxicokinetics of imidacloprid-coated wheat seeds in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) and an evaluation of hazard
Birds are potentially exposed to neonicotinoid insecticides by ingestion of coated seeds during crop planting. Adult male Japanese quail were orally dosed with wheat seeds coated with an imidacloprid (IMI) formulation at either 0.9 mg/kg body weight (BW) or 2.7 mg/kg BW (~3 and 9% of IMI LD50 for Japanese quail, respectively) for 1 or 10 days....
Bean, Thomas G.; Gross, Michael S.; Karouna-Renier, Natalie K.; Henry, Paula F. P.; Schultz, Sandra L.; Hladik, Michelle; Kuivila, Kathryn; Rattner, Barnett A. Sex‐specific responses in neuroanatomy of hatchling American kestrels in response to embryonic exposure to the flame retardants bis(2‐ethylhexyl)‐2,3,4,5‐tetrabromophthalate and 2‐ethylhexyl‐2,3,4,5‐tetrabromobenzoate
Bis(2‐ethylhexyl)‐2,3,4,5‐tetrabromophthalate (BEH‐TEBP) and 2‐ethylhexyl‐2,3,4,5‐tetrabromobenzoate (EH‐TBB), flame retardant components of FireMaster 550® and 600® have been detected in tissues of wild birds. To address the paucity of information regarding potential impacts of flame retardants on the brain, brain volume regions of hatchling...
Guigueno, Mélanie F.; Karouna-Renier, Natalie K.; Henry, Paula F. P.; Peters, Lisa E.; Palace, Vince P.; Letcher, Robert J.; Fernie, Kim J. Female hatchling American kestrels have a larger hippocampus than males: A link with sexual size dimorphism?
The brain and underlying cognition may vary adaptively according to an organism’s ecology. As with all raptor species, adult American kestrels (Falco sparverius) are sexually dimorphic with females being larger than males. Related to this sexual dimorphism, kestrels display sex differences in hunting and migration, with females ranging more widely...
Guigueno, Melanie F.; Karouna-Renier, Natalie K.; Henry, Paula F. P.; Head, Jessica A.; Peters, Lisa E.; Palace, Vince P.; Letcher, Robert J.; Fernie, Kimberly J. Changes in habitat availability for multiple life stages of diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin) in Chesapeake Bay in response to sea level rise
Global sea level rise (SLR) will significantly alter coastal landscapes through inundation and erosion of lowlying areas. Animals that display area fidelity and rely on fringing coastal habitats during multiple life stages, such as diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin Schoepff 1793), are likely to be particularly vulnerable to SLR-induced...
Woodland, Ryan J.; Rowe, Christopher L.; Henry, Paula F. P. Effects on circulating steroid hormones and gene expression along the hypothalamus–pituitary–gonadal axis in adult Japanese quail exposed to 17β-trenbolone across multiple generations
We investigated the effects of the androgenic growth promoter 17β-trenbolone (17βTB) on adult Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) exposed across three generations. The F0 generation was exposed after sexual maturity to 0, 1, 5, 10, 20, and 40 ppm through feed. The F1 generation was exposed in ovo by maternal transfer and through feed at the same...
Karouna-Renier, Natalie K.; Chen, Yu; Henry, Paula F. P.; Maddox, Catherine M.; Sprague, Dan Bioaccessibility tests accurately estimate bioavailability of lead to quail
Hazards of soil-borne Pb to wild birds may be more accurately quantified if the bioavailability of that Pb is known. To better understand the bioavailability of Pb to birds, we measured blood Pb concentrations in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) fed diets containing Pb-contaminated soils. Relative bioavailabilities were expressed by comparison...
Beyer, W. Nelson; Basta, Nicholas T; Chaney, Rufus L.; Henry, Paula F. P.; Mosby, David; Rattner, Barnett A.; Scheckel, Kirk G.; Sprague, Dan; Weber, John Evaluating a portable cylindrical bait trap to capture diamondback terrapins in salt marsh
Diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin) are currently in decline across much of their historical range, and demographic data on a regional scale are needed to identify where their populations are at greatest risk. Because terrapins residing in salt marshes are difficult to capture, we designed a cylindrical bait trap (CBT) that could be...
Henry, Paula F. P.; Haramis, G. Michael; Day, Daniel D. Spatiotemporal analysis of gene flow in Chesapeake Bay Diamondback Terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin)
There is widespread concern regarding the impacts of anthropogenic activities on connectivity among populations of plants and animals, and understanding how contemporary and historical processes shape metapopulation dynamics is crucial for setting appropriate conservation targets. We used genetic data to identify population clusters and quantify...
Converse, Paul E.; Kuchta, Shawn R; Roosenburg, Willem R; Henry, Paula F. P.; Haramis, G. Michael; King, Tim L.