Susan L. Anderson, Ph.D.

Research

Project Details

The primary goal of Anderson's fellowship was to promote the use of genetic biomarkers to determine whether pollutants are causing distinct changes that affect the integrity of ecosystems, leading to the decline of certain species over multiple generations. To promote a merging of the disciplines of ecotoxicology and population genetics, she organized the 1993 Napa Conference on Genetic and Molecular Ecotoxicology which brought together various disciplines to discuss the effects of environmental pollution on genetic diversity.

Anderson also conducted interdisciplinary research showing that increased ultraviolet-B (UV-B) light can cause distinguishable effects and genetic damage in aquatic and marine populations. At stations in Alaska and Antarctica, she studied sea urchin embryos and the effects of UV-B exposure on their development. She also supervised a study examining patterns of genetic variation in river otters in the San Francisco Bay/Delta region.

Finally, Anderson promoted this new paradigm for genetic ecotoxicology through magazine and journal articles and presentations around the world. One significant indicator of her success in reaching a broad audience is the invitation she received from the Canadian government to aid them in using genetic biomarkers to manage the polluted St. Lawrence River system and to address effects from mining activities in that country. Anderson was also tapped by the U.S. EPA to oversee a study on UV contamination to coral reefs in the Caribbean.

For more information, please visit the USDA UVB Monitoring and Research Program website.

Biography

Susan Anderson is one of the few researchers studying the effects of genotoxic substances on ecosystems and she is a champion of the use of biomarkers to provide precise measurements of genetic damage caused by contamination, including radiation and pollution from pesticides, herbicides, oil spills, pulp mill discharges and mining activities. Anderson utilizes an interdisciplinary approach in her research based on a unique blending of cytogenic (biochemical) methods and molecular techniques taken from the fields of medical and conservation genetics. She couples her research with problem-solving projects, policy development and communications activities. Her work has ranged from examining chromosomal damage in Antarctic zooplankton exposed to increasing ultraviolet light (UV-B) as a consequence of ozone depletion, to relating aquatic toxicology to habitat impairment in the San Francisco Bay, to assessing whether coral bleaching may be a result of genetic changes caused by global warming.

Her postdoctoral research on ocean disposal of low-level radioactive wastes resulted in proposed revisions to the Marine Protection Resources and Sanctuary Act and Anderson has developed a nationally-recognized program to assess the toxicity of effluents discharged into San Francisco Bay. She initially launched a research program at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory to assess genotoxic effects of environmental contamination. The program has now moved to the Bodega Marine Laboratory at the University of California at Davis.

In addition to overseeing the program, Anderson consults internationally on the use of genotoxic biomarkers to determine environmental damage and develop appropriate science-based management practices. She also leads several large-scale research initiatives to test advanced genetic biomarker techniques and to reveal linkages between toxicology and marine conservation biology.

CV

EDUCATION

Ph.D., University of California
1983: Ecology, Davis, California, USA

Bachelor of Arts, Occidental College
1976: Marine Biology, California, USA

KEY LEADERSHIP POSITIONS

USEPA, Superfund Ecological Assessment Group
Member

EPA San Francisco Estuary Project, Technical Advisory Committee
Chair

KEY AWARDS & HONORS

Marine Fellow
1992: Pew Fellows Program in Marine Conservation

ASSOCIATIONS

Environmental Mutagen Society

Genetic and Environmental Toxicology Association

Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

SELECT PUBLICATIONS

• Anderson, S.L. 1996. Unnatural evolution. New Scientist
• Anderson, S.L. 1994. Global ecotoxicology: Management and science. Industrial Ecology and Global Change 261-27
• Anderson, S.L. and G.C. Wild. 1994. Linking genotoxic responses and reproductive success in ecotoxicology. Environmental Health Perspectives 102, Suppliment 12:3--8
• Anderson, S.L., J. Hoffman, G. Wild, I. Bosch and D. Karentz. 1993. Cytogenic, cellular and developmental responses in Antarctic sea urchins following laboratory ultraviolet-B and ambient solar radiation exposures. Antarctic Journal 115-116
• Anderson, S.L., G.C. Wild, and A. Papp. 1992. Mutagenesis in the nematode C. elegans as an assay for genotoxic effects in the environment
• Anderson, S., and T.J. Norberg. 1991. Editorial: Precision of short-term chronic toxicity tests in the real world. (143-145 pp)
• Anderson, S.L. 1991. A Well-Rounded Worm
• Anderson, S., E. Hoffmann, D. Steward and J. Harte. 1990. Ambient toxicity characterization of San Francisco Bay and adjacent wetland ecosystems. LBL Report 29579
• Anderson, S., F. Harrison, G. Chan and D.H. Moore. 1990. Comparison of whole animal and cellular bioassays in the prediction of radiation effects on marine organisms. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 19:164-174