Research interests
My principal research interests revolve around plastic marine debris as a vector for toxic compounds in marine and freshwater environments, the factors affecting the generation of microplastic, and the chemical analysis of microplastic-associated persistent organic pollutants.
education
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DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN EARTH SCIENCES SPECIALIZING IN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Earth Sciences University of Toronto (Toronto, ON, Canada) Thesis title: Domestic laundering as a conduit for microfibers and chemical contaminants to enter the outdoor environment MASTER OF SCIENCE IN MARINE SCIENCE College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Biology and Marine Biology University of North Carolina Wilmington (Wilmington, NC, USA) Thesis title: Trophic transfer of microplastics and an associated legacy pollutant from microzooplankton to their predators BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MARINE BIOLOGY WITH INTERDISCIPLINARY HONORS IN MARINE BIOLOGY & CHEMISTRY College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Biology and Marine Biology University of North Carolina Wilmington (Wilmington, NC, USA) Thesis title: Marine plastics as a source of harmful contaminants in loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) |
Honors & Awards
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2014
2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2016 2018 2019 2019 2019 2020 |
CSURF/ETeal SURCA Funding
NC SeaGrant 2014 Minigrant program CSURF/ETeal SURCA Funding Lumina News Person of the Year Skiba Undergraduate Research Fellowship Award CSURF Distinguished Undergraduate Research Scholar Departmental Honors in Marine Biology & Chemistry Plastic Ocean Project Member of the Year Award Advances in Earth Science Research Conference (AESRC) Best Student Poster Presentation The Charles Moore Achievement Award Laurence and Theresa Curtis Scholarship Award Laurence Curtis Teaching Assistant Award |
Professional activities
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Current Memberships
2019-2021 2019-2020 2018-2020 2018-2019 2016-2018 2014-2016 |
Society of Ecotoxicology and Chemistry - Microplastic Interest Group, Laurentian Chapter
International Association of Great Lakes Research American Geophysical Union - Ocean Sciences American Water Works Association Vice President, Association of Graduate Students in Earth Sciences Mental Health & Wellness Coordinator, Association of Graduate Students in Earth Sciences Student Representative and Social Media Coordinator, SETAC Microplastic Interest Group Rockfest Graduate Student Seminar Series Organizer, Association of Graduate Students in Earth Sciences Director of Chapters & Ambassadors, Plastic Ocean Project President, UNC-Wilmington Plastic Ocean Project |
Teaching EXPERIENCE
University Courses
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2015
2016 2016 2017 2017 2018 2018 2018 2018 2019 2019 2019 2019 2020 |
Lecture teaching assistant, one term Biology for Non-Majors, Department of Biology and Marine Biology (UNC- Wilmington)
Course development/Lecture teaching assistant, two terms Cell Biology, Department of Biology and Marine Biology (UNC-Wilmington). Guest lecturer, Cell Biology (UNC- Wilmington), lectures on photosynthesis, cellular respiration and Mendelian genetics. Professor: Dr. Stephan Woditschka Lab tutorials, two terms Cell Biology, Department of Biology and Marine Biology (UNC-Wilmington) Guest lecturer Cell Biology (UNC-Wilmington), lecture on cancer biology. Professor: Dr. Joseph Covi Guest lecturer Introduction to Environmental Science (Cape Fear Community College), lecture on plastic pollution and sustainability. Professor: Abigail Perry Spangel Marking teaching assistant, one term Confronting Global Change, Department of Earth Sciences (University of Toronto) Guest lecturer Biology (Ryerson University), lecture on plastic pollution: sources, solutions and impacts on aquatic ecosystems. Professor: Dr. Maria Arts Guest lecturer Ecosystems and the Human Footprint (University of Toronto) lecture on stream ecology and chemical pollution. Professor: Dr. Chelsea Rochman Guest lecturer Biology (Ryerson University), lecture on plastic pollution: sources, solutions and impacts on aquatic ecosystems. Professor: Dr. Maria Arts Invited speaker, Plastic Free Workshop. Microfiber pollution: Sources and solutions. Georgian Bay Forever and Plastic Free Parry Sound. Marking teaching assistant, one term Public Issues in Geology, Department of Earth Sciences (University of Toronto) Lead Writing Teaching Assistant, two terms Department of Earth Sciences, Writing Integrated Teaching program (University of Toronto) Lead Writing Teaching Assistant, two terms Department of Earth Sciences, Writing Integrated Teaching program (University of Toronto) |
Student Mentoring
I have assisted in the guidance of the following undergraduate students, as they conducted independent research projects (*) and gained experience with research techniques in the lab (+):
Emma Martin*, Katy Nickel*, Brooke Faulkner*, Elizabeth Chason+, Rebekah James+, Siti Muhammed*, Veronica McKelvey+
Emma Martin*, Katy Nickel*, Brooke Faulkner*, Elizabeth Chason+, Rebekah James+, Siti Muhammed*, Veronica McKelvey+
Other Teaching Experience
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2014-2018
2017-2018 |
Marine Science Instructor, UNC-Wilmington Youth Programs MarineQuest
Education Volunteer, North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher |
Publications
Athey, S. N.; Albotra, S. D.; Gordon, C. A.; Monteleone, B.; Seaton, P.; Andrady, A. L.; Taylor, A. R.; Brander, S. M. Trophic Transfer of Microplastics in an Estuarine Food Chain and the Effects of a Sorbed Legacy Pollutant. Limnol. Oceanogr. Lett. 2020, 5 (1), 154–162.
Rochman, C. M.; Brookson, C.; Bikker, J.; Djuric, N.; Earn, A.; Bucci, K.; Athey, S.; Huntington, A.; McIlwraith, H.; Munno, K.; et al. Rethinking Microplastics as a Diverse Contaminant Suite. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2019, 38 (4), 703–711.
Grbić, J.; Helm, P.; Athey, S.; Rochman, C. Microplastics Entering Northwestern Lake Ontario Are Diverse and Linked to Urban Sources. Water Res. 2020, 174, 115623.
Cowger, W.; Booth, A. M.; Hamilton, B. M.; Thaysen, C.; Primpke, S.; Munno, K.; Lusher, A. L.; Dehaut, A.; Vaz, V. P.; Liboiron, M.; Devriese, L. I.; Hermabessiere, L.; Rochman, C.; Athey, S. N.; et al. Reporting Guidelines to Increase the Reproducibility and Comparability of Research on Microplastics. Appl. Spectrosc. 2020, 000370282093029.
Athey, S. N.; Adams, J. K.; Erdle, L. M.; Jantunen, L. M; Helm, P. A.; Finkelstein, S. A.; Diamond, M. L. The Widespread Environmental Footprint of Indigo Denim Microfibers from Blue Jeans. Environ. Sci. Technol. Lett. 2020.
Adams, J. K.; Dean, B.; Athey, S. N.; Jantunen, L. M; Bernstein, S.; Stern, G.; Diamond, M. L.; Finkelstein, S. A. Anthropogenic particles (including microfibers and microplastics) in marine sediments. Sci. Tot. Environ. In Review. 2020.
Steinbarger, C. D.; Joseph, J.; Athey, S. N.; Monteleone, B.; Andrady, A. L.; Watanabe, W. O.; Seaton, P.; Taylor, A. R.; Brander, S. M. Direct ingestion and trophic transfer of microplastics in early life stages of Centropristis striata, a commercially and recreationally-valuable fishery species. ET&C. In Review. 2020.
Rochman, C. M.; Brookson, C.; Bikker, J.; Djuric, N.; Earn, A.; Bucci, K.; Athey, S.; Huntington, A.; McIlwraith, H.; Munno, K.; et al. Rethinking Microplastics as a Diverse Contaminant Suite. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2019, 38 (4), 703–711.
Grbić, J.; Helm, P.; Athey, S.; Rochman, C. Microplastics Entering Northwestern Lake Ontario Are Diverse and Linked to Urban Sources. Water Res. 2020, 174, 115623.
Cowger, W.; Booth, A. M.; Hamilton, B. M.; Thaysen, C.; Primpke, S.; Munno, K.; Lusher, A. L.; Dehaut, A.; Vaz, V. P.; Liboiron, M.; Devriese, L. I.; Hermabessiere, L.; Rochman, C.; Athey, S. N.; et al. Reporting Guidelines to Increase the Reproducibility and Comparability of Research on Microplastics. Appl. Spectrosc. 2020, 000370282093029.
Athey, S. N.; Adams, J. K.; Erdle, L. M.; Jantunen, L. M; Helm, P. A.; Finkelstein, S. A.; Diamond, M. L. The Widespread Environmental Footprint of Indigo Denim Microfibers from Blue Jeans. Environ. Sci. Technol. Lett. 2020.
Adams, J. K.; Dean, B.; Athey, S. N.; Jantunen, L. M; Bernstein, S.; Stern, G.; Diamond, M. L.; Finkelstein, S. A. Anthropogenic particles (including microfibers and microplastics) in marine sediments. Sci. Tot. Environ. In Review. 2020.
Steinbarger, C. D.; Joseph, J.; Athey, S. N.; Monteleone, B.; Andrady, A. L.; Watanabe, W. O.; Seaton, P.; Taylor, A. R.; Brander, S. M. Direct ingestion and trophic transfer of microplastics in early life stages of Centropristis striata, a commercially and recreationally-valuable fishery species. ET&C. In Review. 2020.
presentations
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2014
2016 2016 2016 2017 2018 2018 2018 2018 2019 2019 2019 2019 2019 2019 2019 2020 |
Athey, S. and Willey, J. The changing amount of precipitation of terrestrial origin in Wilmington, North Carolina [Talk]. Center for Undergraduate Research Symposium, Wilmington, NC. Won undergraduate research distinction.
Athey S., Mead, R., Seaton, P. Marine plastics as a source of harmful contaminants in loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta). Oceans Sciences Meeting [Poster], New Orleans, LA. Athey, S. Hope for Hatteras: How to kick-start a movement to protect the ocean [Keynote Address]. Youth Ocean Conservation Summit, Pine Knoll Shores, NC. Athey, S., Albotra, S., Gordon, C., Echevarria, Andrady, A., M., Monteleone, B., Seaton, S., Taylor, A., and Brander, S. Trophic transfer of microplastics and an associated legacy pollutant from microzooplankton to their predators [Talk]. Annual Meeting of the SETAC Carolina Chapter, Charleston, NC. Athey, S., Albotra, S., Gordon, C., Echevarria, Andrady, A., M., Monteleone, B., Seaton, S., Taylor, A., and Brander, S. Trophic transfer of microplastics and an associated legacy pollutant from microzooplankton to their predators [Poster]. SETAC North America, Minneapolis, MN. Won student travel award. Athey, S., Albotra, S., Gordon, C., Echevarria, Andrady, A., M., Monteleone, B., Seaton, S., Taylor, A., and Brander, S. Trophic transfer of microplastics and an associated legacy pollutant from microzooplankton to their predators [Talk]. SETAC North America, Sacramento, CA. Won student travel award. Athey, S., Albotra, S., Gordon, C., Echevarria, Andrady, A., M., Monteleone, B., Seaton, S., Taylor, A., and Brander, S. Trophic transfer of microplastics and an associated legacy pollutant from microzooplankton to their predators [Poster]. 6th International Marine Debris Symposium (San Diego, CA). Brander, S. and S. Athey. Microplastic ingestion by the black sea bass, Centropristic striata: An assessment of potential impacts on health of an Atlantic commercial fish species [Poster]. 6th International Marine Debris Symposium (San Diego, CA). Athey, S., Albotra, S., Gordon, C., Echevarria, Andrady, A., M., Monteleone, B., Seaton, S., Taylor, A., and Brander, S. Trophic transfer of microplastics and an associated legacy pollutant from microzooplankton to their predators [Poster]. International Association of Great Lakes Research IAGLR 61st Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research, Scarborough, ON. Athey, S., Helm, P., De Silva, A., Jantunen, L., Rochman, C., and Diamond, M. Wastewater treatment plants as conduits for microfibers and other contaminants to enter Lake Ontario [Poster]. International Association of Great Lakes Research IAGLR 62nd Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research, Brockport, NY. Athey, S., Adams, J., Erdle, L., Helm, P., Jantunen, L., Rochman, C., Finkelstein, S., and Diamond, M. From your laundry to the lake: Blue jeans as a source of microfibers to the aquatic environment [Poster]. Advances in Earth Science Research Conference, Toronto, ON. Won best student poster award. Athey, S., Adams, J., Erdle, L., Helm, P., Jantunen, L., Rochman, C., Finkelstein, S., and Diamond, M. From your laundry to the lake: Blue jeans as a source of microfibers to the aquatic environment [Poster]. SETAC Europe, Helsinki, Finland. Athey, S., Urik, J., Vrana, B., and Diamond, M. T-shirt in a Sandwich: A novel passive sampling approach for analyzing SVOC release from clothing during laundering [Poster]. SETAC Europe, Helsinki, Finland. Athey, S., Helm, P., De Silva, A., Jantunen, L., Rochman, C., and Diamond, M. Wastewater treatment plants as conduits for microfibers and other contaminants to enter Lake Ontario [Poster]. 9th International Symposium on Flame Retardants, Montreal, QB. Invited presentation. Athey, S. N., Adams, J. K., Erdle, L., Helm, P., Jantunen, L., Rochman, C., Finklestein, S. A., and Diamond, M. (2019) From your laundry to the lake: Blue jeans as a sources of anthropogenic microfibers to the aquatic environment [Poster]. Society of Ecotoxicology and Chemistry 40th Annual North America Meeting, Toronto, ON. Rochman, C. M., Brookson, C., Bikker, J., Djuric, N., Earn, A., Bucci, K., Athey*, S. N., Huntington, A., McIlwraith, H., Munno, K., De Frond, H., Kolomijeca, A., Erdle, L., Grbic, J., Bayoumi, M., Borrelle, S. B., Wu, T., Santoro, S., Werbowski, L. M., Zhu, X., Giles, R. K., Hamilton, B. M., Thaysen, C., Kaura, A., Klasios, N., Ead, L., Kim, J., Sherlock, C., Ho, A., and Hunga, C. Rethinking Microplastics as a Diverse Contaminant Suite [Talk]. Society of Ecotoxicology and Chemistry 40th Annual North America Meeting, Toronto, ON. Athey, S., Adams, J. K., Erdle, L., Helm, P., Jantunen, L., Rochman, C., Finklestein, S. A., and Diamond, M. The global environmental footprint of indigo denim microfibers from blue jeans [Poster Spotlight]. SETAC SciCon. |