Dr. Ashley Parks
Dr. Ashley Parks is a toxicologist who specializes in determining the environmental fate and effects of contaminants in the marine environment. Her current research focuses on sediment contaminant bioaccumulation as well as the effects of multiple stressors (i.e., sediment contaminants and ocean acidification conditions) in marine systems. Her experience includes organism culture (benthic invertebrates, algae, and fungus), toxicity and bioaccumulation testing, radioisotope techniques, field sampling, analytical method development, and chemical analyses. Prior to joining SCCWRP, her research focused on the environmental fate and effects of nanocopper from pressure-treated lumber in aqueous systems, as well as contaminant interactions and biological effects of single-walled carbon nanotubes in benthic estuarine systems.
She received her B.A. in biochemistry from the University of San Diego in 2008 and Ph.D. in environment from Duke University in 2013. She joined SCCWRP in July 2016.
Education
Ph.D., environment, Duke University, 2013
B.A., biochemistry, University of San Diego, 2008
Professional Experience
Scientist, Southern California Coastal Water Research Project. Costa Mesa, CA. 2016-present
National Research Council Postdoctoral Research Associate, U.S. EPA Atlantic Ecology Division. Narragansett, RI. 2013-2016
Graduate Research Assistant, Duke University. Durham, NC. 2009-2013
Student Service Contractor, U.S. EPA Atlantic Ecology Division. Narragansett, RI. 2009-2012
Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of South Carolina. Columbia, SC. 2008
Professional Appointments
Board Member, Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), Southern California Chapter. 2019-present
Founding Co-Chair, SETAC Early Career Committee.
Reviewer for Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Environmental Science: Nano, Chemosphere, Marine Pollution Bulletin and Natural Environment Research Council-NERC
Honors and Awards
Student Travel Award, International Conference on the Environmental Effects of Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials. 2010, 2012
Student Platform Presentation Award, 3rd place, International Conference on the Environmental Effects of Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials. 2010
Student Travel Award, Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 2009
The Explorers Club Exploration Fund Grant. 2009
Outstanding Research Award, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of San Diego. 2008
Professional Societies and Certifications
Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
American Chemical Society
Integrated Toxicology and Environmental Health Certificate, Duke University
PADI Advanced Open Water and Nitrox Diver Certifications
Selected Presentations and Conference Proceedings
Parks A.N., D.J. Greenstein, and S.M. Bay. 2019. Impacts and interaction effects of sediment contamination and ocean acidification in Eohaustorius estuarius. Poster presentation at the SETAC North America Meeting. Toronto, ON, CA.
Parks A.N., W. Lao, E.J. Wenger, K. Maruya, C. Stransky, J. Leather, J. Carilli, and S.M. Bay. 2019. Influence of dissolved organochlorines on bioaccumulation in San Diego Bay, California. Poster presentation at the SETAC North America Meeting. Toronto, ON, CA.
Parks A.N. 2019. Influence of dissolved organochlorines on bioaccumulation in San Diego Bay, California. Invited speaker at the University of San Diego, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Summer Research Symposium. San Diego, CA.
Parks A.N. and S.M. Bay. 2019. Site-specific water quality objectives: Applications of water-effect ratios. Invited speaker at the Southern California SETAC Meeting. San Diego, CA.
Parks A.N., S.M. Bay. 2017. Assessment of sediment contaminant contribution to human health risk via bioaccumulation modeling. Platform presentation at the SETAC North America Meeting. Minneapolis, MN.
Parks A.N., M.A. Cashman, S. Fogg, M.G. Cantwell, D.R. Katz, K.T. Ho, and R.M. Burgess. 2016. Form and toxicity of copper released into marine systems from nano-sized copper treated lumber. Poster presentation at the SETAC North America Meeting. Orlando, FL.
Parks A.N., M.A. Cashman, M.G. Cantwell, D.R. Katz, K.T. Ho, and R.M. Burgess. 2015. Form and toxicity of copper released into aquatic systems from conventionally and nano-sized copper treated lumber. Poster presentation at the SETAC North America Meeting. Salt Lake City, UT.
Parks A.N., M.A. Cashman, M.G. Cantwell, D.R. Katz, K.T. Ho, and R.M. Burgess. 2015. Concentration and form of copper released into aquatic systems from commercial liquid and micronized pressure treated lumber. Platform presentation at the SETAC Europe Meeting. Barcelona, Spain.
Parks A.N., M.A. Cashman, M.G. Cantwell, D.R. Katz, K.T. Ho, and R.M. Burgess. 2014. Optimizing an experimental system for assessing the copper released into aquatic systems from commercial liquid and micronized pressure treated lumber. Poster presentation at the SETAC North America Meeting. Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Parks A.N., K. Liu, and P.L. Ferguson. 2013. Biodegradability of 14C-SWNT by pure and mixed microbial cultures. Poster presented at the SETAC North America Meeting. Nashville, TN.
Parks A.N., L.M. Portis, J.C. Sullivan, R.M. Burgess, K.T. Ho, M.M. Perron, G.T. Chandler, and P.L. Ferguson. 2012. Single-walled carbon nanotubes decrease the toxicity and bioaccumulation of polychlorinated biphenyls in marine benthic invertebrates exposed to contaminated sediment. Poster presented at the SETAC North America Meeting. Long Beach, CA.
Parks A.N., P.A. Schierz, R.M. Burgess, K.T. Ho, L.M. Portis, M.M. Perron, M. Pelletier, K.M. Washburn, G.T. Chandler, and P.L. Ferguson. 2011. Using radiolabels for investigating the bioaccumulation and interaction effects of 14C-SWNT and 3H-Ponasterone A in Leptocheirus plumulosus. Platform presentation at the SETAC North America Meeting. Boston, MA.
Parks A.N., P.A. Schierz, R.M. Burgess, K.T. Ho, M. Pelletier, L.M. Portis, M.M. Perron, G.T. Chandler, and P.L. Ferguson. 2010. Trophic transfer and sublethal effects of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) in an estuarine benthic food chain study. Platform presentation at the SETAC North America Meeting. Portland, OR.
Parks A.N., P.A. Schierz, R.M. Burgess, K.T. Ho, M. Pelletier, L.M. Portis, M.M. Perron, G.T. Chandler, and P.L. Ferguson. 2010. Toxicity and accumulation of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) in an estuarine benthic food chain. Platform presentation at the International Conference on the Environmental Effects of Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials. Clemson, SC.
Parks A.N., P.A. Schierz, R.M. Burgess, K.T. Ho, M. Pelletier, M.M. Perron, G.T. Chandler, and P.L. Ferguson. 2009. Toxicity and accumulation of structurally diverse single-walled carbon nanotubes in Ampelisca abdita and Americamysis bahia. Platform presentation at the SETAC North America Meeting. New Orleans, LA.
Publications
Journal Articles
Ho, K.T., L.M. Portis, A.A. Chariton, M. Pelletier, M.G. Cantwell, D.R. Katz, M.A. Cashman, A.N. Parks, J.G. Baguley, N. Conrad-Forrest, W. Boothman, T. Luxton, S.L. Simpson, S. Fogg, R.M. Burgess. 2017. Effects of micronized and nano-copper azole on marine benthic communities. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. DOI: 10.1002/etc.3954.Joyce, A.S., L.M. Portis, A.N. Parks, and R.M. Burgess. 2016. Evaluating the relationship between equilibrium passive sampler uptake and aquatic organism bioaccumulation. Environmental Science and Technology. 50(21):11437-11451. DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b03273
Parks A.N., G.T. Chandler, K.T. Ho, R.M. Burgess, and P.L. Ferguson. 2015. Environmental biodegradability of [14C] single-walled carbon nanotubes by Trametes versicolor and natural microbial cultures found in New Bedford Harbor sediment and aerated wastewater treatment plant sludge. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 34(2):247-251. DOI: 10.1002/etc.2791
Parks A.N., G.T. Chandler, L.M. Portis, J.C. Sullivan, M.M Perron, M.G. Cantwell, R.M. Burgess, K.T. Ho, and P.L. Ferguson. 2014. Effects of single-walled carbon nanotubes on the bioavailability of PCBs in field-contaminated sediments. Nanotoxicology. 8(S1):111-117. DOI: 10.3109/17435390.2013.858794
Parks A.N., R.M. Burgess, K.T. Ho, and P.L. Ferguson. 2014. On the likelihood of single-walled carbon nanotubes causing adverse marine ecological effects. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management. 10(3):472-474. DOI: 10.1002/ieam.1540
Bisesi J.H., J. Merten, K. Liu, A.N. Parks, ARMN Afrooz, J.B.Glenn, S.J. Klaine, A.S. Kane, N.B. Saleh, P.L. Ferguson, and T. Sabo-Attwood. 2014. Tracking and quantification of single-walled carbon nanotubes in fish using near infrared fluorescence. Environmental Science and Technology. 48(3):1973-1983. DOI: 10.1021/es4046023
Parks A.N., L.M. Portis, P.A. Schierz, K.M. Washburn, M.M. Perron, R.M. Burgess, K.T. Ho, G.T. Chandler, and P.L. Ferguson. 2013. Bioaccumulation and toxicity of single walled carbon nanotubes to benthic organisms at the base of the marine food chain. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 32(6):1270-1277. DOI: 10.1002/etc.2174
Schierz P.A., A.N. Parks, K.M. Washburn, G.T. Chandler, and P.L. Ferguson. 2012. Characterization and quantitative analysis of single-walled carbon nanotubes in the aquatic environment using near infrared fluorescence spectroscopy. Environmental Science and Technology. 46(22):12262-12271. DOI: 10.1021/es301856a
Yang S., A.N. Parks, S.A. Saba, P.L. Ferguson, and J. Liu. 2011. Photoluminescence from inner walls in double walled carbon nanotubes: Some do, some do not. Nano Letters. 11(10):4405-4410. DOI: 10.1021/nl2025745.