Rachel Leads, Ph.D.
Aquatic Ecotoxicologist
​As an Aquatic Ecotoxicologist, my research characterizes the sources, transport, fate, and effects of contaminants and environmental stressors in human-impacted aquatic ecosystems across spatial, temporal, and biological scales. I study both contaminants of emerging concern (e.g., PFAS and microplastics) and legacy pollutants (e.g., polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) and their interaction with other environmental and climate change stressors such as temperature, pathogens, salinity, dissolved organic carbon, and ultraviolet radiation. I work with both marine and freshwater ecosystems. I received my M.S. in Marine Biology from the College of Charleston and my Ph.D. in Biology from the University of North Texas. I am currently a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Michigan State University.
Research Interests
Water Quality, Global Change Biology, Contaminants of Emerging Concern, Environmental Physiology, Great Lakes Fisheries, Oil Spills, Ecological Risk Assessment
My current research in Dr. Cheryl Murphy's laboratory at Michigan State University investigates the impacts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on native fish in the Great Lakes region. My previous research characterized the toxicity of microplastics and oil spills to marine and freshwater fish and invertebrates. Overall, my work uses both field and laboratory assessments to understand the mechanisms and impacts of contaminants and environmental stressors on aquatic organisms across multiple levels of biological organization, from molecular to whole-organism endpoints.
Contact Me
Please feel free to contact me for additional information or collaborations.