Heather M. Stapleton, Assistant Professor of Environmental Chemistry and Civil and Environmental Engineering  


Heather M. Stapleton

Dr. Stapleton's research focuses on understanding the fate and transformation of organic contaminants in aquatic systems and in indoor environments. Her main focus has been on the bioaccumulation and biotransformation of brominated flame retardants, and specifically polybrominated diphenyl ethers,(PBDEs). Her current research projects explore the routes of human exposure to flame retardant chemicals and examine the way these compounds are photodegraded and metabolized using mass spectrometry to identify breakdown products/metabolites. She uses both in vivo techniques iwth fish, and in vitro techniques with cell cultures to examine metabolism of this varied class of chemicals. Also of interest to Dr. Stapleton is the study of the fate of PBDEs in the environment which may lead to bioaccumulation in aquatic systems and examining their bioavailability under different environmental conditions.

Contact Info:
Office Location:  A220 LSRC
Office Phone:  (919) 613-8717
Email Address:   send me a message
Web Page:

Education:

PhD Environmental Chemistry, University of Maryland, 2003
MS Environmental Chemistry, University Maryland, 2000
BS Marine Chemistry, Southampton College, 1997
Curriculum Vitae
Research Interests: the fate and transformation of organic contaminants in aquatic systems and indoor environments. Her research focuses on several types of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and brominated flame retardants, with a focus on polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs).

Specialties:

environmental chemistry
environmental health
environmental toxicology
Awards, Honors, and Distinctions

Editorial Advisory Board Member for Environmental Science & Technology, January, 2011
Science Communications Fellow, Enviornmental Health Sciences
Science Communications Fellow, Environmental Health Sciences, December, 2009
Outstanding New Enviornmental Scientist Award, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, July, 2008
Teaching (Fall 2012):

  • CEE 563.01, CHEM FATE ORG COMPOUNDS Synopsis
    LSRC A155, TuTh 03:05 PM-04:20 PM
Recent Publications   (More Publications)

  1. D. J. Watkins, M.D. Mclean, A. J. Fraser, J. Weinberg, H.M. Stapleton, A. Sjodin, and T.F. Webster, Impact of Dust from Multiple Microenvironments and Diet on PentaBDE Body Burden, Environ Sci & Technol (Accepted, 2012) .
  2. H.M. Stapleton, S.D. Eagle, A. Sjodin, and T.F. Webster, Serum PBDEs in US Toddlers: Associations with Hand Wipes, House Dust and Socioeconomic Variables, Environmental Health Perspectives (Submitted, 2012) .
  3. Alicia J Frasera, Thomas F Webstera, Deborah J Watkinsa, Jessica W Nelsona, Heather M Stapletonb, Antonia M Calafatc, Kayoko Katoc, Mahiba Shoeibd, Verónica M Vieraa, Michael D McClean, Polyfluorinated Compounds in Serum Linked to Indoor Air in Office Environments, Environ Sci & Technol (Accepted, 2012) .
  4. Elizabeth F. Davis, Susan L. Klosterhaus, Heather M. Stapleton, Measurement of Flame Retardants and Triclosan in Municipal Sewage Sludge and Biosolids, Environment International (Accepted, 2012) .
  5. D. J. Watkins, M.D. Mclean, A. J. Fraser, J. Weinberg, H.M. Stapleton, A. Sjodin, and T.F. Webster, Impact of Dust from Multiple Microenvironments and Diet on PentaBDE Body Burden, Environ Sci & Technol (Accepted, 2012) .