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
The eastern box turtle at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center 1940s to the present: another view
Failure of tetracycline as a biomarker in batch-marking juvenile frogs
Impact of vinclozolin on reproductive behavior and endocrinology in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)
Neuroendocrine and behavioral implications of endocrine disrupting chemicals in quail
Evaluating endocrine endpoints relative to reproductive success in Japanese quail exposed to estrogenic chemicals [poster]
The Japanese Quail as an avian model for testing endocrine disrupting chemicals: endocrine and behavioral end points
Science and Products
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The eastern box turtle at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center 1940s to the present: another view
Several long-term mark recapture studies have been conducted on box turtles (Terrapene c. carolina) providing valuable information on life span, basic demography, home range, and apparent effects of environmental changes on box turtle survival. One of the longest studied populations was first marked in 1942 on the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Maryland, and has been surveyed every 10 yearsAuthorsP.F.P. HenryFailure of tetracycline as a biomarker in batch-marking juvenile frogs
Recent widespread amphibian declines call for better techniques to assess population dynamics. Tetracycline as a biomarker in capture-recapture studies is one technique used successfully in fish, reptiles, and mammals. A two-phase experimental study was conducted to evaluate tetracycline as a biomarker in green frogs (Rana clamitans) and pickerel frogs (Rana palustris). In the first experimental pAuthorsJeffrey S. Hatfield, Paula F.P. Henry, Glenn H. Olsen, M.M. Paul, Richard S. HammerschlagImpact of vinclozolin on reproductive behavior and endocrinology in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)
The impact of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) has been demonstrated in mammalian models, but less research is available for avian species. The effects of vinclozolin (VIN), an antiandrogenic fungicide, on sexual differentiation and maturation were investigated in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). On day 4 of incubation, embryos were exposed to no treatment, oil, or 25, 50, or 100AuthorsS. McGary, P.F.P. Henry, M. A. OttingerNeuroendocrine and behavioral implications of endocrine disrupting chemicals in quail
Studies in our laboratory have focused on endocrine, neuroendocrine, and behavioral components of reproduction in the Japanese quail. These studies considered various stages in the life cycle, including embryonic development, sexual maturation, adult reproductive function, and aging. A major focus of our research has been the role of neuroendocrine systems that appear to synchronize both endocrineAuthorsM. A. Ottinger, M.A. Abdelnabi, P. Henry, S. McGary, N. Thompson, J.M. WuEvaluating endocrine endpoints relative to reproductive success in Japanese quail exposed to estrogenic chemicals [poster]
The standard US EPA guidelines for avian reproductive testing may not be sufficiently sensitive to detect effects of sublethal and chronic exposure to endocrine disrupting toxins. There is a need to evaluate endocrine endpoints as potential markers for contaminant effects, and to determine their effectiveness and sensitivity when applied to wildlife. To this end, a three generational test was coAuthorsP.F.P. Henry, E. Russek-Cohen, C.S. Casey, M.A. Abdelnabi, M. A. OttingerThe Japanese Quail as an avian model for testing endocrine disrupting chemicals: endocrine and behavioral end points
Birds have extremely varied reproductive strategies. As such, the impact of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can greatly differ across avian species. Precocial species, such as Japanese quail appear to be most sensitive to EDC effects during embryonic development, particularly sexual differentiation. A great deal is known about the ontogeny of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) relative to enAuthorsM. A. Ottinger, M.A. Abdelnabi, N. Thompson, J. Wu, K. Henry, E. Humphries, P.F.P. 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