Paula Henry, Ph.D.
Paula Henry is a research physiologist at the Eastern Ecological Science Center at the Patuxent Research Refuge in Laurel, MD.
Her areas of research focus on sublethal effects of envionmental contaminant exposure on avian, amphibian and reptilian physiology, endocrine systems and behaviors. 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.
Professional Experience
Research Physiologist, Biologist - Department of the Interior: FWS, NBS, USGS (1987-present)
Biological Technician - Department of Defense; Uniforme Services University of the Health Sciences (1984-1987)
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. in Marine Estuarine Environmental Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
M.S. in Zoology and Endocrinology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
B.A. French Literature and Art Historu, Reed College in Portland Oregon.
Affiliations and Memberships*
Society for Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
Honors and Awards
Scientific Achievement Award: Coauthor on Publication of Significance 1997
Chesapeake and Potomac Regional Chapter, SETAC. Graduate Student Research Award 1996.
USFWS and US EPA Graduate Student Research Assistantship 1982
Science and Products
Endocrine Active Effects on Turtle Embryonic Development
The Eastern Box Turtle at USGS Patuxent Research Refuge, MD
Changes in habitat availability for multiple life stages of diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin) in Chesapeake Bay in response to sea level rise
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
Bioaccessibility tests accurately estimate bioavailability of lead to quail
Evaluating a portable cylindrical bait trap to capture diamondback terrapins in salt marsh
Spatiotemporal analysis of gene flow in Chesapeake Bay Diamondback Terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin)
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)
Toxicity of Pb-contaminated soil to Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) and the use of the blood-dietary Pb slope in risk assessment
Effect of 17β-trenbolone on male and female reproduction in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)
A noninvasive, direct real-time PCR method for sex determination in multiple avian species
Physiological ecology of amphibians and reptiles: Natural history and life history attributes framing chemical exposure in the field
Neuroendocrine and behavioral consequences of embryonic exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals
Long-term population studies at Patuxent Wildlife Research Refuge
Science and Products
- Science
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Endocrine Active Effects on Turtle Embryonic Development
The Challenge: Emerging contaminants may be in part responsible for recent endocrine disruption observed in fish in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Endocrine active compounds implicated in the decline of fish populations may affect other wildlife as well. There are 6 species of turtles and 5 of snakes living within the main-stem and tidal areas of the Bay. As poikilotherms, reptiles are dependent on...The Eastern Box Turtle at USGS Patuxent Research Refuge, MD
Once common to forest and backyard habitats, the eastern box turtle ( Terrapene carolina ) has declined sharply. - Data
- Multimedia
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 30
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 changes. We used a combination of empirical nest survAuthorsRyan J. Woodland, Christopher L. Rowe, Paula F. P. HenryEffects 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 doses as their parents. The F2 generation was exposedAuthorsNatalie K. Karouna-Renier, Yu Chen, Paula F. P. Henry, Catherine M. Maddox, Dan SpragueBioaccessibility 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 with blood Pb concentrations in quail fed a Pb acetaAuthorsW. Nelson Beyer, Nicholas T Basta, Rufus L. Chaney, Paula F. P. Henry, David Mosby, Barnett A. Rattner, Kirk G. Scheckel, Dan Sprague, John WeberEvaluating 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 deployed in shallow tidal waters. From 2003 to 2006, triaAuthorsPaula F. P. Henry, G. Michael Haramis, Daniel D. DaySpatiotemporal 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 gene flow over historical and contemporary time framAuthorsPaul E. Converse, Shawn R Kuchta, Willem R Roosenburg, Paula F. P. Henry, G. Michael Haramis, Tim L. KingChanges 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-RenierToxicity of Pb-contaminated soil to Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) and the use of the blood-dietary Pb slope in risk assessment
This study relates tissue concentrations and toxic effects of Pb in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) to the dietary exposure of soil-borne Pb associated with mining and smelting. From 0% to 12% contaminated soil, by weight, was added to 5 experimental diets (0.12 to 382 mg Pb/kg, dry wt) and fed to the quail for 6 weeks. Benchmark doses associated with a 50% reduction in delta-aminolevulinic aciAuthorsW. Nelson Beyer, Yu Chen, Paula Henry, Thomas May, David Mosby, Barnett A. Rattner, Valerie I. Shearn-Bochsler, Daniel Sprague, John WeberEffect 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. BakstA 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. HenryPhysiological ecology of amphibians and reptiles: Natural history and life history attributes framing chemical exposure in the field
No abstract available.AuthorsGreg Linder, B. Palmer, Edward E. Little, Christopher L. Rowe, Paula F. P. HenryNeuroendocrine and behavioral consequences of embryonic exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals
No abstract available.AuthorsM. A. Ottinger, M.J. Quinn, E. Lavoie, M.A. Abdelnabi, N. Thompson, J. Hazelton, M. McKernan, J. Wu, P. Henry, C. Viglietti-Panzica, G. PanzicaLong-term population studies at Patuxent Wildlife Research Refuge
No abstract available.AuthorsP. Henry - News
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government