Aquatic Environmental Assessment: Professional Profile


*Qualifications Summary* More than 15 years experience in environmental toxicology. Designed and conducted numerous programs evaluating the acute and chronic toxicity of agricultural and industrial chemicals to surrogate aquatic, sediment-dwelling, and terrestrial organisms. Participated in programs designed to evaluate the effects of xenobiotics to environmental communities, with comparison to data generated during traditional single species testing. These studies allowed for evaluation of effects with consideration of species repopulation, migration, and reentry. Participated in the development of a product stewardship testing program, designed to implement the initiatives of the Product Stewardship Code adopted by the Chemical Manufacturers Association member companies.	Maura K. Surprenant, B.S. Environmental Toxicologist Professional Affiliations Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Fields of Expertise Aquatic Toxicology Terrestrial Toxicology Microbial Pest Control Agent Monitoring Effluent Monitoring Project Management Higher Education B.S., Biology-Suffolk University (1986) Employment History 1999-Present Woods Hole Group, Inc. 1986-1999 Springborn Laboratories, Inc. 1983-1986 Battelle Ocean Sciences
Key Projects Ecological Assessment for a Major Utility Company, Confidential Client, Utility Company, Task Leader. Risk assessment involving the analysis, fate and transport of organic pollutants from major industries into a riverine/estuary system. Ecological Effects Assessment in Alaska at the site of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill, Confidential Client, Oil Company, Principal Investigator. Evaluated the acute toxicity of aqueous samples collected in Alaska in response to the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Included the acute exposures of marine fish, invertebrates and algae. Environmental Fate and Effects Assessment, Confidential Client, Specialty Chemical Company, Study Director. Designed a program to assess the environmental fate and effects of products proposed for use as substitutes for traditional airplane de-icers. Program included biodegradation studies as well as acute and chronic exposures of freshwater and marine fish and invertebrates. Ecological Effects Assessment of Agricultural Chemicals, Agricultural Chemical Companies, Principal Investigator. Participated in programs designed to evaluate the effects of xenobiotics to environmental communities, with comparison to data generated during traditional single species testing. These studies allowed for evaluation of effects with consideration of species repopulation, migration, and reentry. Benthic Survey in the Atlantic Ocean, Minerals Management Service, Polychaete Taxonomist. Participated in the evaluation of U.S. North, Mid, and South Atlantic slope and rise survey. Toxicological Evaluation of Lubricant Components, Oil Company, Project Manager. Designed and implemented a series of acute toxicity tests with aquatic species to evaluate the ecological effects of lubricant components. Data were used as a predictive tool to assess the toxicity of whole products through evaluation of data collected on product components. Toxicological Evaluation of a Microbial Pest Control Agent, Agricultural Chemical Company, Project Manager. Designed and implemented a study to evaluate the effects of feeding treated target insects to non-target aquatic species. Toxicological Evaluation of the Synergistic Effects of Two Agricultural Chemicals, Agricultural Chemical Company, Study Director. In support of on-going litigation, conducted testing to evaluate the synergistic effects of two agricultural chemicals to a marine species. Aqueous and sediment exposures were conducted concurrently. Endpoints were mortality assessments and histological evaluation of organism tissue. Evaluation of the Ecological Effects of Pharmaceutical Products, Project Manager. Evaluated the ecological effects of pharmaceuticals to freshwater and marine fish and invertebrates and non-target terrestrial organisms. Environmental Monitoring of Industrial Effluents, Utility Companies, Project Manager. Conducted routine ecological monitoring programs to meet NPDES compliance. Designed and implemented programs to evaluate the effects of transgenically modified plant materials to terrestrial organisms. Toxicological Evaluation of Genetically Modified Plant Materials to Terrestrial Organisms, Agricultural Chemical Companies, Project Manager. Designed and implemented a program to evaluate the chronic effects of transgenically modified plant materials to terrestrial organisms. Toxicological Evaluation of the Effects of Polydimethylsiloxane to Terrestrial Organisms, Silicones Heath Council, Study Director. Designed and implemented a program assessing the chronic effects of polydimethylsiloxane to a terrestrial organism. Development of a Test System for the Exposure of Beneficial Organisms, Agricultural Chemical Company, Principal Scientist. Developed EPA-approved specialized test system for the long-term exposure of honey bees to microbial pest control agents. Product Stewardship Program, Agricultural and Specialty Chemical Companies, Project Manager. Participated in the development of a product stewardship testing program, designed to implement the initiatives of the Product Stewardship Code adopted by the Chemical Manufacturers Association member companies. Development and Implementation of Innovative Approaches to Evaluate Effects of Microbial Pest Control Agents to Aquatic and Terrestrial Organisms, Agricultural and Specialty Chemical Companies, Project Manager. Generated substantial baseline data on the toxicity of Bacillus thuringiensis to freshwater invertebrates for agriculturial chemical companies. Evaluation of this baseline data set has enabled the Environmental Protection Agency to reassess and modify standard testing requirements. Publications and Presentations Effects of Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) on Soil-dwelling Organisms. Presented at the 1996 Annual Meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), Washington, DC, 17-21 November 1996. Novel Honey Bee Exposure System. Presented at the 1994 Annual Meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), Denver, Colorado, November 1994.

Ecological Assessment for a Major Utility Company, Confidential Client, Utility Company, Task Leader.

Ecological Effects Assessment in Alaska at the site of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill, Confidential Client, Oil Company, Principal Investigator.
Evaluated the acute toxicity of aqueous samples collected in Alaska in response to the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Included the acute exposures of marine fish, invertebrates and algae.

Environmental Fate and Effects Assessment, Confidential Client, Specialty Chemical Company, Study Director.
Designed a program to assess the environmental fate and effects of products proposed for use as substitutes for traditional airplane de-icers. Program included biodegradation studies as well as acute and chronic exposures of freshwater and marine fish and invertebrates.

Ecological Effects Assessment of Agricultural Chemicals, Agricultural Chemical Companies, Principal Investigator.
Participated in programs designed to evaluate the effects of xenobiotics to environmental communities, with comparison to data generated during traditional single species testing. These studies allowed for evaluation of effects with consideration of species repopulation, migration, and reentry.

Benthic Survey in the Atlantic Ocean, Minerals Management Service, Polychaete Taxonomist.
Participated in the evaluation of U.S. North, Mid, and South Atlantic slope and rise survey.

Toxicological Evaluation of Lubricant Components, Oil Company, Project Manager.

Designed and implemented a series of acute toxicity tests with aquatic species to evaluate the ecological effects of lubricant components. Data were used as a predictive tool to assess the toxicity of whole products through evaluation of data collected on product components.

Toxicological Evaluation of a Microbial Pest Control Agent, Agricultural Chemical Company, Project Manager.
Designed and implemented a study to evaluate the effects of feeding treated target insects to non-target aquatic species.

Toxicological Evaluation of the Synergistic Effects of Two Agricultural Chemicals, Agricultural Chemical Company, Study Director.
In support of on-going litigation, conducted testing to evaluate the synergistic effects of two agricultural chemicals to a marine species. Aqueous and sediment exposures were conducted concurrently. Endpoints were mortality assessments and histological evaluation of organism tissue.

Evaluation of the Ecological Effects of Pharmaceutical Products, Project Manager.

Evaluated the ecological effects of pharmaceuticals to freshwater and marine fish and invertebrates and non-target terrestrial organisms.

Environmental Monitoring of Industrial Effluents, Utility Companies, Project Manager.
Conducted routine ecological monitoring programs to meet NPDES compliance. Designed and implemented programs to evaluate the effects of transgenically modified plant materials to terrestrial organisms.

Toxicological Evaluation of Genetically Modified Plant Materials to Terrestrial Organisms, Agricultural Chemical Companies, Project Manager.
Designed and implemented a program to evaluate the chronic effects of transgenically modified plant materials to terrestrial organisms.

Toxicological Evaluation of the Effects of Polydimethylsiloxane to Terrestrial Organisms, Silicones Heath Council, Study Director.
Designed and implemented a program assessing the chronic effects of polydimethylsiloxane to a terrestrial organism.

Development of a Test System for the Exposure of Beneficial Organisms, Agricultural Chemical Company, Principal Scientist.
Developed EPA-approved specialized test system for the long-term exposure of honey bees to microbial pest control agents.

Product Stewardship Program, Agricultural and Specialty Chemical Companies, Project Manager.
Participated in the development of a product stewardship testing program, designed to implement the initiatives of the Product Stewardship Code adopted by the Chemical Manufacturers Association member companies.

Development and Implementation of Innovative Approaches to Evaluate Effects of Microbial Pest Control Agents to Aquatic and Terrestrial Organisms, Agricultural and Specialty Chemical Companies, Project Manager.
Generated substantial baseline data on the toxicity of Bacillus thuringiensis to freshwater invertebrates for agriculturial chemical companies. Evaluation of this baseline data set has enabled the Environmental Protection Agency to reassess and modify standard testing requirements.

Effects of Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) on Soil-dwelling Organisms. Presented at the 1996 Annual Meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), Washington, DC, 17-21 November 1996.

Novel Honey Bee Exposure System. Presented at the 1994 Annual Meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), Denver, Colorado, November 1994.

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Coastal Sciences, Engineering & Planning
Aquatic Environmental Assessment
Oceanography & Measurement Systems