L-R: Ruth Harper and Mark Bussel (WWU Chemistry) at Muroran Institute of Technology, Japan, 2007; Ruth Harper field sampling in Idaho, 2005. Harper and Ranville (CSM) research group dinner at 26th Annual SETAC North America Meeting, Baltimore, MD 2005; Mine tailings in Idaho; Toxicology research students finishing an exposure.
Ruth M. Harper
(Dr. Harper)
Assistant Professor
Environmental
Toxicology and Chemistry
Department of
Environmental Sciences
Huxley College
of the Environment
Curriculum
Vitae
ruth.harper@wwu.edu
(360) 650-2181
Dr. Harper home
Education:
PhD in Environmental
Science and Engineering with a minor in Management, May 2002
Colorado School of Mines,
Golden, CO
MS in Environmental
Science and Engineering, December 1999
Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO
MS in Environmental
Science, May 1995
McNeese State University, Lake Charles, LA
BA in Biology,
May 1993
West Virginia University, Morgantown,
WV
Research
Interests:
The focus of my work
is to assess basic science questions associated with environmental contaminants
and the potential effects of those contaminants on exposed organisms. I am
currently interested in 1) the bioavailability of metals in the environment;
2) contaminant induced changes in genetic diversity in field and lab exposed organisms; and 3) phototoxicity of PAHs.
Current Projects include:
- Phototoxicity of PAH contaminated groundwater. Jason Fortner, WWU MS student research.
- An assessment of the Biotic Ligand Model in the Columbia River, BC and WA. Catherine Bollinger, WWU MS student research.
- Development of DNA
markers in contaminant exposed populations of benthic macroinvertebrates collected from the Couer D'Alene River basin. Andrew Ryan, WWU BS student research.
- Analysis of metals in San Juan County, Washington surface water samples. James Plante, WWU BS student research.
Other research I have
been involved with:
Courses:
ESCI 333: Introduction
to Environmental Toxicology (Spring quarter)
ESCI 455/555: Environmental
Toxicology I (Fall quarter)
ESCI 457/557: Environmental
Toxicology I Lab (Fall quarter)
ESCI 459: Aquatic Toxicology
(Spring quarter)
ESCI 460: Contaminant
Movement in the Environment (Winter quarter)
Other
Information:
Pictures
Information
for potential graduate students interested in working with Dr. Harper
Information for Huxley Students Looking for Internships
Links:
Huxley
College of the Environment
Institute
of Environmental Toxicology
Marine
and Estuarine Science Program
Shannon
Point Marine Center
Western
Washington University Home
Dr. Harper
at Gregor Mendel's monastery in Brno, Czech Republic.
Last Updated
Dec 3, 2007