ruth m. sofield (harper), professorfaculty.wwu.edu/~harperr3/documents/rmhcv.pdf · maki bc, hodges...
TRANSCRIPT
Ruth M. Sofield (Harper)
Ruth M. Sofield (Harper), Professor Department of Environmental Sciences
Huxley College of the Environment
Western Washington University MS 9181 (360) 650-2181 office
Bellingham, WA 98225 [email protected] (360) 650-2496 lab
EDUCATION
Doctorate of Philosophy in Environmental Science and Engineering with a Minor in Management,
May 2002
Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO
Dissertation Title: Genetically Based Tolerance to Chemical Exposure in the Grass Shrimp,
Palaemonetes pugio.
Research Advisor: Dr. Philippe Ross, Colorado School of Mines
Master of Science in Environmental Science and Engineering, December 1999
Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO
Master of Science in Environmental Science, May 1995
McNeese State University, Lake Charles, LA
Bachelor of Arts in Biology, May 1993
West Virginia University, Morgantown, WVU
SELECTED WORK EXPERIENCE
Professor, Department of Environmental Sciences, Huxley College of the Environment, Western
Washington University, 2015
Associate Professor, Department of Environmental Sciences, Huxley College of the Environment,
Western Washington University, 2009 – 2015
Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Sciences, Huxley College of the Environment,
Western Washington University, 2003 – 2009
Marine and Estuarine Science Program Faculty, Shannon Point Marine Center, 2004 – present
Post-doctoral Fellow, under the guidance of Dr. Bruce Honeyman, Colorado School of Mines, 2002 –
2003
Field Biologist, Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research, Marine
Ecotoxicology Branch, National Ocean Service, NOAA, Charleston, SC, 1999 – 2002
Marine Ecotoxicology Teaching Assistant, June 2001 – July 2001
The Bermuda Biological Station for Research, Inc.
Toxicology Investigator, July 2000 – May 2002
Investigation of acute toxicity of mine tailings leachate to Daphnia magna, Vibrio fischeri, and Lactuca
sativa using standard testing procedures, including ASTM and Microtox protocols.
Ruth M. Sofield
SELECTED RESEARCH - PERSONAL
Environmental Chemistry and Toxicity of Silver Nanoparticles, Visiting Researcher, Work
conducted at Environmental Toxicology Department at EAWAG in Dübendorf, Switzerland. September
2010 – August 2011.
Effects of Environmental Ligands on Plutonium and Uranium Mobility in the Subsurface
Environment: Radionuclide Chemistry Post-doctoral Research, June 2002 – September 2003
Funded under NABIR by Department of Energy.
Investigation of how increasingly complex environmental ligands affect stability of Plutonium and
Uranium in the vadose and non-vadose zone. Work done in collaboration with Brookhaven National
Laboratory and Texas A&M at Galveston. End goal is to apply knowledge to possible bioremediation of
radionuclide contaminated areas.
Genetically Based Tolerance to Chemical Exposure in the Grass Shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio,
Ph.D. Dissertation Research, January 1999 – May 2002
Primarily funded by the National Ocean Service, NOAA, Charleston, SC.
Investigation of whether P. pugio (grass shrimp) that are tolerant to chemical (endosulfan, chromium, and
fluoranthene) exposure have different allozyme frequencies than grass shrimp that are not tolerant to
chemical exposure.
Research included "Time to Death" tests of adult P. pugio, hatchability and development of P. pugio
embryos, allozyme analysis, and computer modeling of effects to P. pugio populations.
Hydrologic and Geochemical Functions of Southern Rocky Mountain Wetlands,
May 1997 – May 1999
Funded by Colorado Geologic Survey and Colorado Scientific Society.
Investigated wetland functions; involved characterization of wetland hydrology and wetland
biogeochemistry.
RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS (WWU student authors underlined)
Selected Works Available at https://works.bepress.com/ruth-sofield/
Bannerman BG, Bodensteiner LR, Sofield RM, Rawhouser AK. 2019. The Chemistry of Sub-Alpine
Streams in Mined Regions of the North Cascades Range. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution. 230(7):143
DOI 10.1007/s11270-019-4195-9
Maki BC, Hodges KR, Ford SC, Sofield RM. 2017. The Influence of Hydrous Ferric Oxide,
Earthworms, and a Hypertolerant Plant on Arsenic and Iron Bioavailability, Fate, and Transport in
Soils. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 24(36): 27710-27723. DOI: 10.1007/s11356-
016-7852-1. Epub 2016 Oct 24.
Sofield RM, Collier TK. 2017. Recent Advances in Toxicity Assessment Across Taxa. Environmental
Science and Pollution Research. 24(36): 27631-27633. DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-0730-7. Epub
2016 Oct 24.
Diedrich, DJ, Sofield RM, Ranville JF, Hoff DJ, Wall VD, Brinkman SF. 2015. The Effects of
Chronological Age and Size on Toxicity of Zinc to Juvenile Brown Trout. Archives of Environmental
Contamination and Toxicology. 69(1):123-131. DOI: 10.1007/s00244-015-0151-x
Smith K, Ranville J, Lesher E, Diedrich D, McKnight D, Sofield R. 2014. Fractionation of Dissolved
Organic Matter by Iron and Aluminum Oxides—Influence on Copper Toxicity to Ceriodaphnia
dubia. Environmental Science and Technology.48:11934-11943. DOI: 10.1021/es502243m
Sofield RM, Tinnacher RM, Eckard SM. 2013. Ecotoxicology: Plutonium. In Scott Elias (Ed.),
Encyclopedia of Ecology, 2nd Edition, Elsevier B.V., Oxford.
Ruth M. Sofield
Sofield RM, Kantar C. 2013. Ecotoxicology: Uranium. In Scott Elias (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Ecology,
2nd Edition, Elsevier B.V., Oxford.
Stiles J, Sofield RM. 2013. Fish and Shellfish Consumption: Traditions, Regulations, and a Cleaner
Environment in the US Pacific Northwest. Learned Discourse: Integrated Environmental Assessment
and Management. 9(3):539-540.
Sofield RM. 2013. A Pilot Investigation of the Pollution and Toxicity of Snowpack Collected from
Snowmobile Recreation Areas in Washington and Wyoming. Final Report: Submitted to Winter
Wildlands Association.
Fortner JC, Sofield RM. 2009. Phototoxicity of Contaminated Groundwater. Final Report: Submitted to
Washington Department of Ecology. http://www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/0909045.html
Martins M, Bollinger C, Harper R, Ribeiro R. 2009. Effects of Acid Mine Drainage on the Genetic
Diversity and Structure of a Natural Population of Daphnia longispina. Aquatic Toxicology. 92:104-
112.
Sofield RM and Bollinger C. 2009. Trans-Boundary Metal Pollution in the Okanagan Regions of British
Columbia and Washington State: An Assessment of Metal Toxicity and Speciation in the Columbia
River. Final Report: Submitted to the Border Policy Research Institute, Western Washington
University. www.wwu.edu/bpri/files/2009_Jun_Report_No_7_Columbia_Metals.pdf
Harper RM, Kantar C, and Honeyman BD. 2008. Binding of Pu (IV) to Galacturonic Acid and
Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS) from Shewanella putrefaciens, Clostridium sp., and
Pseudomonas fluorescens. Radiochimica acta. 96:753-762.
Harper RM, Tinnacher R. 2008. Ecotoxicology: Plutonium. Sven Erik Jorgensen & Brian D. Fath
(Eds.), Encyclopedia of Ecology, 1st Edition, Elsevier B.V., Oxford, pp 2845- 2850.
Harper RM, Kantar C. 2008. Ecotoxicology: Uranium. Sven Erik Jorgensen & Brian D. Fath (Eds.),
Encyclopedia of Ecology, 1st Edition, Elsevier B.V., Oxford, pp 3662-3665.
Martins N, Lopes I, Harper R, Ross P, and Ribeiro R. 2007. Differential Resistance to Copper and
Mine Drainage in Daphnia longispina: Relationship with Allozyme Genotypes. Environmental
Toxicology and Chemistry. 26(9):1904-1909.
Kantar C, Gillow JG, Harper-Arabie RM, Honeyman BD, and Francis AJ. 2005. Determination of
Stability Constants of U(VI)-Fe(III)-Citrate Complexes. Environmental Science and Technology.
39(7): 2161-2168.
Harper-Arabie RM, Wirth EF, Fulton MF, Scott GI, and Ross PE. 2004. Protective Effects of
Allozyme Genotype During Chemical Exposure in the Grass Shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio. Aquatic
Toxicology. 70(1): 41-54.
Harper-Arabie RM, and Kolm KE. An Integrated Approach to Wetlands Characterization in
Determining Hydrologic Functions. In: The First International Symposium on Integrated Technical
Approached to Site Characterization, Argonne National Laboratory, Illinois, 1998.
Kolm KE, Harper-Arabie RM, and Emerick JC. 1998. Chapter In Final Report: Characterization and
Functional Assessment of Reference Wetlands in Colorado; A Preliminary Investigation of
Hydrogeomorphic (HGM) Classification and Functions for Colorado's Wetlands. Colorado
Department of Natural Resources and U.S. EPA, Region VIII, Denver, CO.
BOOKS
Landis WG, Sofield RM, and Yu MH. 2017. Introduction to Environmental Toxicology: Impacts of
Chemicals Upon Ecological Systems. 5th Edition
Landis WG, Sofield RM, and Yu MH. 2010. Introduction to Environmental Toxicology: Impacts of
Chemicals Upon Ecological Systems. 4th Edition.
Ruth M. Sofield
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Chair of revisions for Standard Methods 8050: Bacterial Bioluminescence Test, 23rd Edition.
Chair of revisions for Standard Methods 8711: Daphnia, 23rd Edition.
Chair of revisions for Standard Methods 8050: Bacterial Bioluminescence Test, 22nd Edition.
Chair of revisions for Standard Methods 8711: Daphnia, 22nd Edition.
SELECTED PRESENTATIONS (WWU student authors underlined; * represents award
winning presentations)
Sofield RM, Brown E, Bonnard J, Johnson A. 2019. Assessment of metal mixtures and water quality on
passive samplers. ISTA19, Thessalonki, Greece.
Kirby J, Brown E, Johnson A, Norris T, Booth JW, Miller J, Sanchez M, Pratt J, Sofield RM. 2019.
Stabilized Liquid Membrane Device Chelation Rates for Metals of Differing Valencies. SETAC
North American Meeting, Sacramento, CA.
Johnson A, Norris T, Kirby J, Brown E, Booth JW, Miller J, Pratt J, Sanchez M, Sofield RM. 2019.
Testing the effectiveness of stabilized liquid membrane device (SLMD) passive samplers at varying
water hardnesses. SETAC North American Meeting, Sacramento, CA.
Guddal TG, Miller J, Johnson AM, and Sofield RM. 2018. EDS Mapping of Particles as a Component of
Lichen Biomonitoring in Seattle, Washington. SETAC Europe Annual Meeting, Rome, Italy.
Guddal TG, and Sofield RM. 2018. Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy Mapping of Particles as a
Component of Lichen Biomonitoring in Seattle, Washington. Pacific Northwest SETAC Annual
Meeting, Corvallis, OR.
Miller J*, Johnson AM, Guddal TG, and Sofield RM. 2018. Bioaccumulation of Copper and Zinc in the
Fruticose Lichen Ramalina farinacea Analyzed by Sequential Extraction and SEM. Pacific Northwest
SETAC Annual Meeting, Corvallis, OR.
Moran I*, Charlton C., Coverdale AM., Kramarevsky EJ., Lawrence EJ., Sofield RM. 2018.
Bioavailability and Toxicity of Metal Mixtures Using the Tissue Residue Approach. Pacific
Northwest SETAC Annual Meeting, Corvallis, OR.
Walli C*, Sofield RM. 2018. Impacts of Major Freshwater Ions on the Acute Toxicity of Silver
Nanoparticles to Daphnia magna. Pacific Northwest SETAC Annual Meeting, Corvallis, OR.
Aiken M*, Sofield RM. 2016. Sediment Quality Triad Analysis at a Model Toxics Control Act Site in
Anacortes, Washington. Pacific Northwest SETAC Annual Meeting, Bellingham, WA.
Maki B.*, Ford S., Sofield RM. 2016. Arsenic Mobility and Bioavailability in Washington State Soils:
An Investigation into the Influence of Hydrous Ferric Oxide, Earthworms, and the Arsenic Hyper -
Tolerant Brassica juncea on the Fate of Arsenic in Soils. Pacific Northwest SETAC Annual Meeting,
Bellingham, WA.
Guddal TG, Cade HT, Sofield RM. 2016. Lichen as a Biomonitoring Tool: Analysis of Train
Emissions with SEM Imaging and Sequential Extractions. Pacific Northwest SETAC Annual
Meeting, Bellingham, WA.
Sofield RM. 2016. Environmental Toxicology and Active Learning – The Trials and Tribulations of
Trying New Approaches in a Learning Environment. SETAC North American Meeting, Salt Lake
City, UT.
Sofield RM. 2016. Scientific Communication in the Environmental Sciences – It is a Different World.
SETAC North American Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT.
Hahn JH, Sofield RM, Ylitalo GM, Poppenga RH, West JE, Hollenhorst SJ, Van Alstyne KL, and
Gaydos JK. 2016. Seaweed Superfood or Contaminated product? Cross-Border Pilot Study on Salish
Seaweed Contamination. Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference, Vancouver, BC.
Ruth M. Sofield
Wallis LK, Schmitt CG, Matthews RA, Sofield RM. 2016. Determination of Source, Spatial, and
Temporal Trends of Black Carbon Deposition on Peruvian Glaciers. Young Environmental Science
(YES) Meeting, Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Gainsville, FL.
Meyer JE, Dewitt R, Sofield RM. 2015. A Consequence of Train-Based Transportation: Exposure and
Effects of Rail Traffic on Lichens During a Five-Month Exposure. SETAC North American Meeting,
Salt Lake City, UT.
Sofield RM. 2015. A Synthesis of Knowledge on Silver Nanoparticle and NOM Interactions: Toxicity
and Chemistry in Aquatic Environments. ISTA17, Bellingham, WA.
DeWitt R, Meyer JE, Sofield RM. 2015. Chemical, Biological, and Visual Analysis of Train-Sourced
Air Pollution near Bellingham, Washington. ISTA17, Bellingham, WA.
Sofield RM and Paci-Green R. 2015. Communicating Details of Complex Site Remediation in
Washington State to Non-technical and Technical Audiences. Pacific Northwest SETAC Annual
Meeting, Portland, OR. Interactive poster session.
Guddal TG, Bellefeuille B and Sarhan RS. 2015. An Assessment of the Long-term Efficacy of Activated
Carbon When Ingested By Marine Worms. Pacific Northwest SETAC Annual Meeting, Portland,
OR. Interactive poster session.
Abernathy MJ*, Dionisio AB, Ford SC, and Maki BC. 2015. Phytoremediation of Arsenic and
Petroleum-Hydrocarbon Contaminated Soils using Mustard Plants: An Examination of Remediation
Potential in the Presence of Annelids. Pacific Northwest SETAC Annual Meeting, Portland, OR.
Interactive poster session.
Dewitt R* and Meyer JE. 2015. Spatial and temporal effects of Train-Sourced Air Pollution on Lichen
(Ramalina farinacea) as Measured by Numerous Biomarker Responses and Community-Structure.
Pacific Northwest SETAC Annual Meeting, Portland, OR.
Kelley A, Johnson J, and Sofield RM. 2014. Metal Accumulation and Biomarker Response in Lichens
from the Pacific Northwest Rail Corridor in Bellingham, Washington. SETAC North America
Meeting, Vancouver, BC.
Sofield RM, San C, and Nieman A. 2014. Impacts of Fulvic Acids in Light and Dark Conditions on
Silver Nanoparticle Characteristics. SETAC North America Meeting, Vancouver, BC.
Johnson J*, Kelley A, and Sofield RM. 2014. Lichens as Air Quality Biomonitors Along the Pacific
Northwest Rail Corridor in Bellingham, Washington. Pacific Northwest SETAC Annual Meeting,
Tacoma, WA.
San C*, Fung C, Sofield RM. 2014. Investigation of Silver Nanoparticle Toxicity at Different
Temperatures. Pacific Northwest SETAC Annual Meeting, Tacoma, WA.
Fix JE*, and Sofield RM. 2013. Investigation of Biochemical Responses of Lichens to Air Pollutants
Originating from trains in Northwestern Washington. Pacific Northwest SETAC Annual Meeting,
Spokane, WA.
Sorensen TM, and Sofield RM. 2013. Silver Concentration Detection with modified Environmental
Factors Using Ion Selective Electrodes. Pacific Northwest SETAC Annual Meeting, Spokane, WA.
Eckard SM and Sofield RM. 2013. Analysis of Pollutants in the High Alpine Aquatic Systems of the
Cordillera Blanco Mountain Range of Central Peru. Pacific Northwest SETAC Annual Meeting,
Spokane, WA.
Sofield RM, Wagner B, Sigg L, and Behra R. 2012. Interactions of Humic and Fulvic Acids with Silver
Nanoparticles and the Resultant Toxicity to Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. SETAC North America
Meeting, Long Beach, CA.
Combs R, Murdock C, and Sofield RM. 2012. The Influence of Capping Agent, Ion Concentration, and
Humic Acids on the Toxicity of Silver Engineered Nanoparticles. SETAC North America Meeting,
Long Beach, CA.
Crowell T, Murdock C, Ford J, and Sofield RM. 2012. Modifying Effects of Temperature on Metal
Toxicity to Lemna turionifera. SETAC North America Meeting, Long Beach, CA.
Ruth M. Sofield
Gibson AJ*, and Sofield RM. 2012. Acute and Chronic Toxicity of Ag Nanoparticles to Daphnia
magna through Aquatic and Ingestion Routes of Exposure. SETAC North America Meeting, Long
Beach, CA.
Lowery G*, Patmont E, and Sofield RM. 2012. Modeling Bioaccumulation of Contaminants in Puget
Sound: An Analysis of Site-Specific Parameters. SETAC North America Meeting, Long Beach, CA.
Ragsdale R, Sofield R, Bousquet T, Streblow B, Cook D, Stratton S, Ikoma J, and Finders C. 2012.
Evaluating the Contribution to Toxicity of Weak Black Liquor in Bleached Kraft Pulp Mill Effluents.
SETAC North America Meeting, Long Beach, CA.
Stiles J, and Sofield RM. 2012. An Analysis of the Risks and Benefits of Fish Consumption in the
Pacific Northwest. SETAC North America Meeting, Long Beach, CA.
Sigg L, Piccapietra P, Lindauer U, Odzak N, Sofield R, and Behra R. 2012. Silver Nanoparticle
Dissolution and Ag Speciation as Key Parameters for Toxicity of AgNP to Algae. 6th SETAC
World Congress / SETAC Europe 22nd Annual Meeting, Berlin, Germany.
Combs RD, Murdock CL, and Sofield RM. 2012. Toxicity of Silver Nanoparticles with Three Capping
Agents (PVP, Citrate, and CO3): An Evaluation of Ionic versus Total Silver. Pacific Northwest
SETAC Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC.
Ford JM*, Crowell TM, and Sofield RM. 2012. Influence of Temperature on Heavy Metal Toxicity to
Lemna turionifera. Pacific Northwest SETAC Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC.
Wood D, Bergmann A, Combs RD, Sofield RM, and Church B. 2012. Contamination and Toxicity of
Snowpack Collected from Snowmobile Recreation Areas. Pacific Northwest SETAC Annual
Meeting, Vancouver, BC.
Heimbigner D*, and Sofield RM. 2010. Fungal Growth Inhibition Bioassay Using Silver Nanoparticles.
SETAC North America Annual Meeting, Portland, OR.
Church B, and Sofield RM. 2010. Ability of the white rot fungus Pleurotus ostreatus to degrade
benzo[a]pyrene under variable surfactant amendment regimes. SETAC North America Annual
Meeting, Portland, OR.
Ferguson M, and Sofield RM. 2010. Evaluating the Partitioning of Silver Nanoparticles in Aqueous
Media Using the Freshwater Alage Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata. Pacific Northwest SETAC
Annual Meeting, Port Towsend, WA.
Duncanson E, and Sofield RM. 2010. Community Level Effects on Benthic Macroinvertebrates from
Exposure to Metals in Mine Impacted Creeks in Idaho. Pacific Northwest SETAC Annual Meeting,
Port Towsend, WA.
Smith KS, Ranville JF, Diedrich DJ, McKnight DM, and Sofield RM. 2010. Influence of Organic-
Matter Fractionation by Natural Iron Nanoparticles on Copper Speciation and Aquatic Copper
Toxicity. American Chemical Society Spring 2010 National Meeting and Exposition. San Fancisco,
CA. Abstract Submitted.
Smith KS, Ranville JF, Diedrich DJ, McKnight DM, Sofield RM. 2010. Influence of Dissolved
Organic Matter in Determining Aquatic Copper Toxicity in Iron-Rich Environments. Seventh
National Monitoring Conference National Water Quality Monitoring Council (NWQMC), Denver,
CO. Abstract Submitted.
Smith KS, Ranville JF, Diedrich DJ, McKnight DM, Harper RM. 2009. Consideration of Iron-Organic
Matter Interactions when Predicting Aquatic Toxicity of Copper in Mineralized Areas. 8th ICARD
(International Conference on Acid Rock Drainage), Skellefteå, Sweden.
Honeyman BD, Tinnacher R, Diaz A, Kantar C, Harper R, Gillow J. 2009. Biogeochemistry of Pu
Transport. American Chemical Society Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT.
Plante J, Bollinger C, Lenaker P, Harper RM. 2008. Development of a Benthic Index to Assess Metals
Contamination Associated with Mining Waste in Canyon Creek (Coeur d’ Alene). Pacific Northwest
SETAC Annual Meeting, Corvalis, OR.
Ruth M. Sofield
Fortner JC*, Harper RM, Sternberg D. 2008. Shedding Light on Toxicity Testing – UV Light and
PAH-Contaminated Groundwater. Pacific Northwest SETAC Annual Meeting, Corvalis, OR.
Fortner JC, Harper RM, Sternberg D. 2007. Using WET Test Methods to Detect Phototoxic Effects in
PAH-Contaminated Groundwater. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC)
28th Annual North America Meeting, Milwaukee, WI.
Honeyman B, Harper R, Kantar C, Moran P. 2007. The Complexation of U(Vi), Pu(Iv) and Np(V)
With Natural Organic Ligands Using the Affinity Distribution Approach. Migration 2007, 11th
Conference. Munich, Germany.
Harper R, Bollinger C. 2007. Evaluating the Effects of Metal Contamination on Aquatic Environments
using Laboratory Assays, Field Assessments, and Chemical Models. Invited talk to Joint Seminar on
Environmental Science and Disaster Mitigation 2007, Muroran, Hokkaido, Japan.
Fortner JC, Harper RM, Sternberg D. 2007. Phototoxicity in Whole Effluent Toxicity Testing:
Lighting Considerations. Pacific Northwest SETAC Annual Meeting, Port Townsend, WA.
Stoddard JL, Harper RM. 2007. Effects of Multi-Generational Acclimation on the Toxicity of Copper,
Cadmium, and Zinc to Daphnia magna. Pacific Northwest SETAC Annual Meeting, Port Townsend,
WA.
Bollinger C, Harper R. 2007. Metal Speciation and Toxicity in Upper Columbia River and the
Tributaries along the U.S. – Canadian Border using the Biotic Ligand Model and VMINTEQ.
Pacific Northwest SETAC Annual Meeting, Port Townsend, WA.
Bollinger C, Harper R. 2006. Assessment of Metal Speciation and Toxicity in Upper Columbia River
and the Tributaries along the U.S. – Canadian Border using the Biotic Ligand Model and VMINTEQ.
33rd Annual Aquatic Toxicity Workshop, Jasper, AB, Canada.
Bollinger C, Harper R. 2006. Population and Community Level Effects of Macroinvertebrates in
Mining Impacted Streams. SETAC Europe 16th Annual Meeting, The Hague, The Netherlands.
Harper-Arabie, RM. 2005. Environmental Toxicology: Metals, Genes, Enzymes, and Size. Invited
talk presented to the Biology Department, University of Aveiro, Portugal.
Diedrich D, Ranville J, Ross P, Harper-Arabie R, Brinkman S, Hoff D, and Wall D. Zinc toxicity to
Brown Trout of various chronological ages and stages of acclimation. Society of Environmental
Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) 26th Annual North America Meeting, Baltimore, MD 2005.
Bollinger C, Harper-Arabie R. 2005. AFLP analysis of Hyalella azteca collected from metals
contaminated sediments. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) 26th
Annual North America Meeting, Baltimore, MD.
Diedrich DJ, Ranville, JF, Ross PE, Harper-Arabie, RM. 2005. Zinc Toxicity to Brown Trout of
Various Chronological Ages. Pacific Northwest SETAC Annual Meeting, Port Townsend, WA.
Diedrich DJ*, Brinkman S, Ranville,JF, Ross,PE, Harper-Arabie RM, Hoff DJ, Wall DV. 2005. The
Effects of Chronological Age on the Toxicity of Zinc to Brown Trout (Salmo trutta). Rocky
Mountain SETAC Annual Meeting, Leadville, CO.
Harp AM, and Harper-Arabie RM. 2004. Effects of Water Chemistry on Metal- Metal Interaction in
Daphnia magna. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) 25th Annual North
America Meeting, Portland, OR.
Harper-Arabie RM, and Landis WG. 2004. Environmental Toxicology at Western Washington
University. Invited speaker at SETAC 25rd Annual North America Meeting, Portland, OR.
Harper-Arabie RM, Hung CC, Buckley P, and Honeyman BD. 2004. Interactions of Microbial
Exopolysaccharides with Plutonium in the Subsurface Environment. Pacific NorthWest SETAC
Annual Meeting, Port Townsend, WA.
Martins N, Harper-Arabie RM, Lopes I, Ross PE, and Ribeiro R. 2003. Adaptation of Starch Gel
Electrophoresis Techniques for Allozyme Analysis in Two Natural Populations of D. longispina. 5th
Iberian Congress and 2nd Iberoamerican on Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Annual
Meeting, Porto, Portugal.
Ruth M. Sofield
Honeyman BD, Harper-Arabie RM, Francis AJ, Gillow JG, Dodge CJ, Santschi PH, and Hung CC.
Plutonium Organic Complexes in the Environment: Stability and Biodegradation. 2003. Migration
Conference, Korea.
Harper-Arabie R. M., Honeyman B. D. 2003. Effects of Organic Ligands on Uranium Speciation and
Implications to Microbial Stabilization of Uranium. Conference Proceedings. Uranium
Geochemistry 2003 Conference. Nancy, France.
Harper-Arabie RM, Fulton M, Wirth EF, and Ross PE. 2002. Reproductive Effects of Metals
Exposure to Palaemonetes pugio: Influence of Genetics. SETAC 23rd Annual North America
Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT.
Manock JJ, Wells PG, Owen RJ, Depledge ME, and Harper-Arabie RM. 2002. Marine Ecotoxicology
Course at the Bermuda Biological Station for Research (1978-2002). SETAC 23rd Annual North
America Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT.
Smith KS, Harper-Arabie RM, and Ross PE. 2002. Toxicity of Mine-Waste Leachates to Aquatic
Organisms as a Function of pH and Trace-Metal Concentrations. Geological Society of America
Annual Meeting, Denver, CO.
Harper-Arabie RM, Wirth EF, Fulton M, and Ross PE. 2002. Reproductive Effects of In situ
Chromium Exposure to Palaemonetes pugio (grass shrimp). SETAC, Europe 12th Annual Meeting,
Vienna, Austria.
Harper-Arabie RM, Ross PE, and Wirth EF. 2001. Genetic Basis of Tolerance in Palaemonetes pugio
(grass shrimp) exposed to endosulfan, chromium, and fluoranthene. SETAC 22nd Annual North
America Meeting, Baltimore, MD.
Harper-Arabie RM, Smith KS, and Ross PE. 2001. Toxicity of Metal Laden Leachate from Mining
Waste Dumps to Daphnia magna and Vibrio fischeri. SETAC 22nd Annual North America Meeting,
Baltimore, MD.
Harper-Arabie RM, Ross PE, and Wirth EF. 2001. Genetically Based Tolerance to Toxicant Exposure
in Palaemonetes pugio (grass shrimp). Rocky Mountain SETAC Chapter Meeting, Denver, CO.
Harper-Arabie RM, and Kolm KE. 1999. A Hydrologic Analysis of Wetlands in the Southern Rocky
Mountains of Colorado. American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, CA.
Kolm KE, Glover KC, Harper-Arabie RM, and Pavlik MC. 1999. Relating Reduction-Oxidation
Chemistry of Wetlands to Variations in Hydrogeomorphic, Geochemical and Biological Structure,
and Position in the Landscape. American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, CA.
Harper-Arabie RM and Kolm KE. 1998. An Integrated Approach to Wetlands Characterization in
Determining Hydrologic Functions. The First International Symposium on Integrated Technical
Approached to Site Characterization, Argonne National Laboratory, IL.
Glover KC, Kolm KE, Harper-Arabie RM, and Emerick JC. 1998. Determining hydrogeologic
controls on a mountain wetland ecosystem using integrated ground water and water quality
characterization, modeling, and sensitivity analysis. Geological Society of America Abstracts with
Programs, vol. 30 no 7.
Harper-Arabie RM, and Kolm KE. 1998. A stepwise, Integrated Hydrogeomorphic Approach for the
Classification of Wetlands and Assessment of Wetland Hydrological Function in the Southern Rocky
Mountains of Colorado. Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, Toronto, Canada.
Harper-Arabie RM, and Kolm KE. 1997. The Pennsylvanian Mine Wetland: A Case Study Using an
Integrated, Multidisciplinary Approach to Characterize Wetland Ecosystem Structure, Hydrology,
and Biogeochemistry. Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT.
Ruth M. Sofield
FUNDING AWARDED
Science and the Swinomish (project partner). Awarded 2016, renewed in 2018. A goal of the project
is to develop curriculum in K-12 schools that is both scientifically robust and culturally relevant. My role
is to work with teachers in the Concrete and La Conner school districts to ensure the goal is achieved.
USAID, subcontracted through Western Kentucky University. Awarded 2014. Development of a
water quality sampling program for the Huascaran National Park, Peru.
Washington Department of Ecology. Awarded 2011 and Renewed in 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2019.
Development of an Undergraduate Program on Contaminated Sites Cleanup Under MTCA in
Washington State. Title of Program at WWU is Science and Management of Contaminated Sites
(SMoCS).
Winter Wildlands. Awarded 2011 and 2012. Investigation of Snowmobile Pollutants in Snow.
Port of Anacortes, WA. Awarded 2010. Investigation of Remediation Efforts in a Marine System.
Department of Ecology, WA, Research Grant. Awarded 2006. Groundwater Study of R. G. Haley and
Little Squalicum Creek.
Border Policy Research Institute, Research Grant. Awarded 2006. Trans-Boundary Pollution in the
Okanagan Regions of B.C. and the U.S.
Research Advisory Committee, WWU 2005 Summer Research Grant. Awarded 11/10/04, AFLP
Technique Development and Assessment in Genetic Toxicology.
Li-COR Biosciences 4300L DNA Analyzer Equipment Grant. Awarded 8/17/04. Integration of
Genomic Analysis with the Environmental Sciences: Equipment for Experiential Learning at the Huxley
College of the Environment.
Research Advisory Committee, WWU Grant in Aid Request. Awarded 7/23/04. Joint Action of
Metals in the Environment: Toxicity to Daphnia magna.
CURRENT STUDENT/AFFILIATE RESEARCH AT WWU
1. Sage Ince, Kassidy Haluska, Katie Knaub, Madison Pongon, and Sarah Vanlandingham
(Huxley College BS Students) and Yaowalak Pomkhaow and Kamonchanok Pongkhaow (Student
Interns from the Department of Environmental Engineering, Kasetsart University, Thailand),
Measuring Accumulated Microplastics from Marine Water, Freshwater, and Air Using Biota.
2. Finn O’Hea, Spatial Relationship Between Impervious Surfaces and Accumulated Chemicals in
Salish Sea Seaweeds
3. Barbara Cameron, Identification of Macroinvertebrates Collected in High Mountain Streams, Peru.
4. Priya Seetharaman, Huxley College BS Student, SEM Imaging and Elemental Mapping of Snow
Algae.
5. Katie Benoit, Huxley College BS Student, Snow Chemistry from Bagley Lakes, Mt. Baker,
Washington.
6. Allie Johnson, Huxley College MS Student, Microplastic Toxicity to Mysids Using Field Aged
Microplastics.
7. Jeff Pratt, Huxley College MS Student, Meta-analysis of Water Quality in Washington State Lakes.
8. Adam Crispin, Huxley College MS Student (co-advisor, Leo Bodensteiner primary advisor), Use of
Passive Samplers in High Mountain Lakes to Inform Amphibian Developmental Toxicity Testing
Following FETAX Guidelines.
Ruth M. Sofield
COMPLETED STUDENT THESIS RESEARCH AT WWU
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
1. Julien Bonnard and Breanne Dedera, Huxley College BS students, graduated Summer 2019.
Passive Sampler Effectiveness in Freshwater Systems with Copper, Silver and Zinc in the
Presence of NOM.
2. Riley Tauer, Huxley College BS student, graduated Spring 2019. SEM Imaging and Elemental
Mapping of Snow Algae.
3. Nicolette Hernandez-Kaempf, completed Spring 2019. UV-Vis of Silver Nanoparticles in
Different Freshwater Media.
4. Julien Bonnard, Ethan Brown, Ava Gempler, Allie Johnson, Hannah Jones, Josh Kirby,
and William Jensen, Huxley College BS students, graduated Summer 2019, Spring 2019,
current, Spring 2018, Winter 2019, Summer 2018, and Spring 2019. Effects or Water Hardness
on Aluminum, Copper, Silver, and Zinc Sorption to Passive Samplers.
5. Winston Booth and Austin Faccone, Huxley College BS students, graduated Spring 2018 and
Fall 2017. Physical Characteristics of Silver Nanoparticles in Different Freshwater Media.
6. Allie Johnson, Spring 2018. Huxley College BS student. Metals Analysis in Sequential
Extractions of Lichens Deployed in Urban Areas.
7. Jared Miller, Spring 2018. Development of Toxicity Tests with Ramalina farinacea: Test
Procedures and Effects Endpoints.
8. Meredith Bee, Colton Charlton, Eddie Kramarevsky, Eric Lawrence, Ian Moran, Tia
Norris, and Amanda Smith, Huxley College BS students, graduated Summer 2018, Fall 2016,
Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Spring 2018, Summer 2018, and Spring 2017. Effects of Metals
Mixtures on Lactuca sativa Early Growth and Bioaccumulation.
9. Miranda Aiken and Kaitlyn Spellman, Huxley College BS students, graduated Fall 2016 and
Summer 2016. Silver Nanoparticle Toxicity and Characterization.
10. Ben Maki, Huxley College BS student, graduated Fall 2015. Senior Project/Thesis. Effects of
Abiotic and Biotic Factors on Arsenic Bioavailability and Mobility in Soils. Supported by Scott
Ford and Kathryn Hodges (Huxley BS students).
11. Ryan Dewitt and Justin Meyer, Huxley College BS students, graduated Summer 2015 and Fall
2015. Senior Project/Thesis. Lichens as Bioindicators of Air Pollution in a Railway Corridor.
Supported by Daniel Cheney, Jeff Dewitt, Katy Donkers, and Ariana Dionisio (Huxley BS
students).
12. Jordi Johnson and Amber Kelley, Huxley College BS students, graduated Spring 2014. Senior
Project/Thesis: Lichen Response to Air Pollution in a Railway Corridor.
13. Chris San, Huxley College BS student, graduated Spring 2014. Senior Project/Thesis: Acute
Toxicity of Citrate coated Ag Nanoparticles to Algae with Changing Environmental Conditions.
Supported by Courtney Wang, Ethan Tracy (Huxley College BS students) and Keenan
Komoto (Chemistry BS student).
14. Tony Gibson, Huxley College BS student, graduated Spring 2013. Senior Project/Thesis:
Influence of Environmental Conditions on the Acute Toxicity of Silver Nanoparticles to Daphnia
magna.
Ruth M. Sofield
15. Julie Fix, Huxley College BS student, graduated Spring 2013. Senior Project/Thesis:
Investigation of Biochemical Responses of Lichens to Air Pollutants Originating from trains in
Northwestern Washington.
16. Geoff Lowery, Huxley College BS student, graduated Winter 2013. Senior Project/Thesis:
Modeling Bioaccumulation of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Puget Sound: An Analysis of Site-
Specific Parameters.
17. Thea Crowell and Craig Murdock, graduated Summer 2012. Huxley College BS students.
Senior Project/Thesis: Effects of Temperature on Metal Toxicity to Lemna turionifera.
Supported by Jacqui Ford (Huxley College BS).
18. David Wood, Huxley College BS student, graduated Spring 2012. Senior Project/Thesis:
Pollutants and Toxicity in Snow Collected from Snowmobile Recreation Areas. Funded by
Winter Wildlands Alliance.
19. Nick Galvin, Huxley College BS student, graduated Spring 2011. Senior Project/Thesis:
Quantifying the Activity of Pleurotus ostreatus Ligninolytic Enzymes in the Presence of
Benzo[a]pyrene and Nonionic Surfactants. Funded by the Port of Anacortes.
20. Siobhan Sloan-Evans, Huxley College BS student, graduated Winter 2011. Senior
Project/Thesis: A Sediment Quality Triad Assessment of Remediation at a Model Toxics Control
Act (MTCA) Cleanup Site. Funded by the Port of Anacortes.
21. Brian Church, Huxley College BS student, graduated Fall, 2010. Senior Project/Thesis: Ability
of the white-rot fungus, Pleurotus ostreatus, to degrade benzo[a]pyrene under variable nonionic
surfactant amendment regimes. Funded by the Port of Anacortes.
22. Emily Duncanson, Huxley College BS student, graduated Fall 2010. Senior Project/Thesis:
Community Level Effects on Benthic Macroinvertebrates in Mine Impacted Streams in Coeur
d’Alene, Idaho.
23. Daniel Heimbigner, Huxley College BS student, graduated Fall, 2010. Senior Project/Thesis:
A Novel Fungal Growth Inhibition Bioassay and Effects of Suwannee River Humic Acid on
Nanosilver Toxicity. Funded by Research and Creative Opportunities for Undergraduates grant,
WWU.
24. Kate Foster, Huxley College BS student, graduated Summer, 2010. Senior Project/Thesis: The
Effects of Exposure to Silver Nanoparticles and Humic Acid on Mung Beans (Vigna radiata).
25. James Plante, Huxley College BS student, graduated Summer, 2008. Senior Project/Thesis:
Benthic Invertebrate Metal Exposure and Community-Level Effects Associated with Mining
Waste in Canyon Creek (Coeur d’Alene).
26. Jamey Stoddard, Huxley College BS student, graduated Winter, 2007. Senior Project/Thesis:
Investigation of Adaptation in Daphnia magna Populations Exposed to Metals.
Ruth M. Sofield
GRADUATE STUDENTS
1. Claire Walli, Huxley College MS Student, graduated Spring, 2019. Impacts of Major Freshwater
Ions on the Acute Toxicity and Chemical Behavior of Silver Nanoparticles.
2. Gunnar Guddal, Huxley College MS Student, graduated Fall 2018. Characterization of
Particulate Matter Accumulated on Ramalina farinacea in the Seattle Area Using Semi-
Automated Electron Microscopy.
3. Ed Bain, Huxley College MS Student, graduated Summer 2017. An Investigation of Acid Rock
Drainage in Glacial Streams Through Multivariate Exploratory Analysis and the Biotic Ligand
Model in the Cordillera Blanca, Peru.
4. Lindsay Wallis, Huxley College MS student, graduated Fall 2016. Spatial Variability of Snow
Chemistry of High Altitude Glaciers in the Peruvian Andes.
5. George Burgess, Huxley College MS student, graduated Spring 2015. Effects of Heavy Metals
on Benthic Macroinvertebrates in the Cordillera Blanca, Peru.
6. Renee Ragsdale, Huxley College MS student, graduated Fall 2011. Evaluating the Contribution
to Toxicity of Weak Black Liquor in Pulp Mill Effluents. Funded by NCASI.
7. Matt Ferguson, Huxley College MS student, graduated Fall 2011. The Influence of Humic Acid
and Water Hardness on the Partitioning of Silver Ions and Nanoparticles Between Fresh Water
and Freshwater Algae.
8. Jason Fortner, Huxley College MS, graduated Spring, 2009. Application of Whole Effluent
Toxicity test methods to groundwater in Western Washington. Illuminating Whole Effluent
Toxicity Testing: Ultraviolet Radiation, Phototoxicity, and PAH-Contaminated Groundwater.
Funded by Washington Department of Ecology. http://content.wwu.edu/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/theses&CISOPTR=314&CISOBOX=1&REC
=10
9. Catherine Bollinger, Huxley College MS, graduated Winter, 2008. Modeling Metal Speciation
and Toxicity in the Columbia River and its Tributaries, British Columbia and Washington.
Funded by the Border Policy Research Institute, Western Washington University.
10. Daniel Diedrich, Huxley College MS, graduated Spring, 2007. The Effects of Chronological
Age and Size in Juvenile Brown Trout Exposed to Zinc. Funded by Region VIII USEPA.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
AAAS Communicating Science Workshop, 2017
Western Washington University
Co-organized and attended.
Community Engagement Fellow, 2016 - 2017
Western Washington University, http://www.cefellows.org/#!fellows/c173w
Passive Sampling Short Course, 2015
PNW-SETAC Annual Chapter Meeting
C-Core (Change at the Core), 2014-2015
Western Washington University
Selected to participate in this NSF funded project. C-Core brings together faculty from Western
Washington University, Whatcom Community College, and Skagit Valley College to help
Ruth M. Sofield
transform undergraduate STEM education at our institutions to reflect a more active, student-
centered approach to learning.
SCEWest PNW Nodal Meeting, November 2013
Seattle University
Workshops on learner-centered education techniques.
SENCER (Science Education for New Civic Engagements and Responsibility) Summer Institute,
August 2013
Santa Clara, CA
Pacific Northwest representative. Attended several workshops on learner-centered education.
http://www.sencer.net/About/sencerideals.cfm
SCEWest PNW Nodal Meeting, March 2013
Seattle University
Invited member from WWU. Goal is to bring together faculty in the Pacific Northwest region who
incorporate issues of civic importance into their courses. Inaugural meeting.
http://www.ncsce.net/Initiatives/SCEWestNet.cfm .
2006 International Canadian Studies Institute – Faculty Fellow, July 18 – 30, 2006
Sponsored by the Pacific Northwest Canadian Studies Consortium and Canadian Consulate General,
Seattle.
PEEL Workshop, July 20, 2005
Sponsored by Center for Instructional Innovation, WWU
Incorporating Diversity and Intercultural Awareness into Learner-Centered Practices.
NSF National Dissemination Workshop, June 23 - 27, 2005
Washington State University, Pullman, WA
New Approaches and Techniques for Teaching Science: Addressing Environmental Problems to
Stimulate Undergraduate Learning.
Microsatellite/AFLP course, June 7-9, 2005
Li-Cor Biosciences, Lincoln NE
Round-table Discussion - Faculty Participant, May 17, 2005
Sponsored (and invited) by WWU Writing Center
From Groan to Grin: Cultivating Joyful Engagement in Writing
NSF Regional Grants Conference, April 4-5, 2005
Sponsored by NSF and MESA, Oakland, CA
Fundamentals of College Teaching, 2002
Colorado School of Mines Graduate Level Course.
Course included discussion of learning styles, active learning principles and methods, cooperative
learning principles and methods, and assessment of learning.
PHREEQC Modeling: The Basics, 2002
International Ground Water Modeling Center Short Course, Golden CO.
A computer program for speciation, batch-reaction, one-dimensional transport, and inverse geochemical
calculations.
The Bermuda Biological Station for Research, 2000
Marine Ecotoxicology Summer Course.
Ruth M. Sofield
Conducted an ecological risk assessment of contaminated areas in Bermuda. Course involved sample
collection, chemical analysis of sediment and water, and bioassays such as the sea urchin (Lytechinus
variegatus) embryo toxicity test, and acetylcholine esterase inhibition.
Integrated Watershed Approaches: TMDLs or Tylenol PM, 2000
Annual Symposium.
The Colorado Section of the American Water Resources Association.
Introduction to Pesticide Probabilistic Ecological Risk Assessment, 1999
Short Course.
Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 1999 – present
Society of Wetland Scientists, 1998 – 2004
American Chemical Society, 2002 – present
Society of Women Engineers, 2000 – 2003
Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society, 2004 – 2012
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
Book Proposal Reviews - One or More Reviews for the Following Publishers: College Publishing,
Island Press, Elsevier, John Wiley and Sons.
Funding Reviews
EPA Peer Reviewer, Addressing Environmental Concerns in Vieques, Puerto Rico Through
Community Participatory Research, 2019
EPA STAR Grants Reviewer, 2012
North Pacific Research Board (NPRB) Technical Peer Reviewer, 2012 and 2013
International Science and Technology Center U.S. Civilian Research and Development
Foundation Reviewer, 2005
NSF Biogeosciences Program Proposal Reviewer, 2004
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program Reviewer, 2008, 2009, 2012 and 2013
NSF Population Dynamics Program Proposal Reviewer, 2007
Manuscript Reviews - One or More Reviews for the Following Journals: Air, Soil and Water Research;
Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology; BioMed Research International;
Chemosphere; Environmental & Engineering Geoscience; Environmental Pollution;
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; IEAM (Integrated Environmental Assessment and
Management); Georgia Journal of Science; Journal of Sea Research; Northwest Science; Risk
Analysis; Science of the Total Environment; Soil and Sediment Contamination an International
Journal.
Technical Reviews
Technical Reviewer for Facing the Future: Global Sustainability Curriculum and Teacher PD.
Blowing in the Wind, A Lesson Plan for high school students about the Hanford Nuclear
Reservation with emphasis on bioaccumulation and biomagnification.
Technical Reviewer for PacRim Coal, LP in coordination with the Alaska Department of
Environmental Conservation. A Review for the Methodology Used to Derive Site Specific
Water Quality Criteria for Al, Cu, and Zn in the Chuit River, Alaska. 2014
Technical Reviewer for Teck Cominco Metals, Ltd. Terrestrial risk modeling Level of
Refinement 3, 2006 – 2007
Technical Reviewer for Teck Cominco Metals, Ltd. Aquatic Ecological Risk Assessment, 2008
Ruth M. Sofield
Boards and Advisory Committees
Member of the Stakeholder & Tribal Advisory Group for the Model Toxics Control Act Cleanup
Rule Update, Chapter 173-340 WAC. 2019 - present
Puget Sound Partnership Science Panel. 2018 – present
PNW-SETAC board, Vice-President, President, Past President, 2019-2021
International Coordinating Committee for the19th International Symposium on Toxicity
Assessment 19 (ISTA19), Thessaloniki, Greece.
Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management Editorial Board Member. 2018
International Coordinating Committee for the18th International Symposium on Toxicity
Assessment 18 (ISTA18), Limeira, Brazil.
PNW-SETAC board, Academia At-Large representative, 2011 – 2016
Standard Methods Committee Appointment, 2008 – present
Capital Regional District Marine Monitoring Advisory Group (British Columbia), 2008 – 2010,
2013 - present
SETAC Science Sub-Committee Member and Abstract Review Committee for North America
National Meeting, 2010
Scientific Technical Services University Advisory Committee (WWU), 2005 – 2009
University and College Committees
Environmental Science Department Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee Member (Huxley
College), 2019 – present
Huxley College Director of Watershed Studies Search Committee (Huxley College), 2018-2019
Chair of University Graduate Council (WWU), 2018-2019
Chair of Huxley Environmental Chemistry and Global Change Faculty Search (Huxley College),
2017-2018
Co-Chair of University Graduate Council (WWU), 2017 – 2018
Sub-committee to Graduate Council on Graduate Student Learning Outcomes (WWU), 2015 -
2017
Strategic Planning for Scientific Technical Services Ad-hoc Committee (WWU), 2015 - 2016
Chair of Ad-hoc Committee to Develop Hiring Department Policy for Non-Tenure Track
Research Faculty (Huxley College, Environmental Sciences Department), 2014
Huxley College Graduate/Internship Coordinator Search Committee (Huxley College), 2013-
2014
Chair of Huxley on the Peninsula Environmental Sciences Faculty Search (Huxley College),
2013-2014
Dean of Fairhaven College Search Committee (WWU), 2012-2013
Graduate Council Member (WWU), 2013 – present
Chair of WWU Chemistry Graduate Program Review Committee (WWU), 2013
Undergraduate Student Learning Outcomes Ad-hoc Committee Member (Huxley College,
Environmental Sciences Department), 2012 - 2014
Environmental Sciences Graduate Program Adviser (Huxley College), 2012 - 2018
Environmental Sciences Graduate Program Committee Chair (Huxley College), 2012-2018
Dean of Huxley College Search Committee (WWU), 2012
Chair of Curriculum Committee (Huxley College), 2011 – 2012
Policy Committee (Huxley College), 2011 – 2012
Scholar’s Week University Committee (WWU), 2005 – 2012
Environmental Sciences Chair Nomination Committee (Huxley College), 2012
Community Affairs Committee (Huxley College), 2007 – 2010
Graduate Program Committee (Huxley College) 2005 – 2007
Ruth M. Sofield
Curriculum Committee Member (Huxley College) 2003 – 2005
Meetings/Conferences
Program Committee Co-Chair, Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry North
America Conference, Portland, OR, 2021.
Session Co-Chair, Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference, The Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
of the Salish Sea Ecosystem, Vancouver, BC, 2020.
Session Co-Chair, Novel Methods of Toxicity Assessment, 19th International Symposium on
Toxicity Assessment (ISTA19), Thessaloniki, Greece, 2019.
Session Chair, Contaminants of Concern, PNW-SETAC Annual Meeting, 2019.
Session Chair, Contaminated Sites Technical & Regulatory Sessions, PNWIS AWMA Annual
Meeting, 2016.
Session Co-Chair, The Future Scientists of SETAC: Conveying Scientific Information in the
Classroom, SETAC NA Annual Meeting, 2015.
Organizer and Co-chair of the 17th International Symposium on Toxicity Assessment (ISTA17),
Bellingham WA, 2015.
Discussion Leader on the C.R.E.A.T.E. Method for Teaching Students How to Read Primary
Literature, Pacific Northwest Node of SCEWestNet Meeting, Seattle University 2013
Student Poster and Presentation Organizer, PNW-SETAC Annual Meeting 2013, 2014
Session Chair, Metals Toxicity and Puget Sound Issues, PNW-SETAC Annual Meeting, 2010
Student Poster and Presentation Judge, PNW-SETAC Annual Meeting, 2010
Workshop participant for West Coast Marine Research and Information Plan being developed by
California, Oregon and Washington Sea Grant Program, 2007
Session Chair, Uranium Geochemistry Session, Uranium Geochemistry 2003 Conference, Nancy,
France
Other Professional Service
Issue Editor, Advances in Toxicity Assessment. 2017. Environmental Science and Pollution
Research. 24(36): 1614-7499. External Peer Review for Faculty Promotion Application, Michigan Technological University,
2017
External Peer Review for University of South Florida, St. Petersburg Environmental Science,
Policy and Geography Graduate Program
External Peer Review for Faculty Promotion Application, Towson University, 2013
Huxley College Air and Waste Management Environmental Sciences Faculty Mentor, 2004 –
2010, 2011 - 2014
Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) advisor, Shannon Point Marine Center,
Anacortes, WA, 2006
Sigma Xi National Delegate, WWU Chapter Representative, Seattle, 2005
Sigma Xi: The Scientific Research Society, WWU Chapter President, 2005 – 2006, 2008-2010,
2011 - 2012
Sigma Xi: The Scientific Research Society, WWU Chapter President Elect, 2003 – 2005, 2006 –
2008
TEACHING - COURSES DEVELOPED AND TAUGHT
Scientific Communication Workshop. Invited Instructor at PNW-SETAC Annual Meeting, 2018.
Art and Science of Cheesemaking, 4 credits, WWU, Summer 2015, 2017.
Science Communication (ESCI 499N), 1 credit, WWU, Winter, 2014.
Science and Management of Contaminated Sites (SMoCS), 3 classes (ESCI 497L, ESCI 497M, and ESCI
497N), 5 credits total (1, 1, and 3, respectively), Winter and Spring, 2012 - 2019. Permanent
classes in 2015 with course numbers 452 (1 credit), 453 (3 credits), and 454 (3 credits).
Ruth M. Sofield
Research of a MTCA Clean-Up Site (ESCI 497b), 2 credits, WWU, Spring, 2010.
Environmental Risk Assessment (ESCI 490), 4 credits, WWU, Spring, 2009.
Chronic Effects and Toxicity of Contaminants to Organisms in Aquatic and Marine Systems
Case Studies in Environmental Toxicology (ETOX 420). 1 Day workshop for Northwest
Environmental Training Center, Seattle, WA. July 17, 2008.
Introduction to Aquatic Toxicology (ETOX 410). Two Day Workshop for Northwest Environmental
Training Center, Seattle, WA. Taught multiple times between 2007 and 2015.
Invited instructor for “Metal as Environmental Stressors: Ecotoxicology and Risk Assessment” short
course, University of Coimbra, Portugal May 29 - June 2, 2006.
Introduction to Huxley College (ESCI 306), 1 credit. WWU, Winter 2006.
Pollution in the Environment. Academy for Lifelong Learning, Western Washington University (WWU).
Part 1, Jan 2005 and Part 2, Oct 2005.
Contaminant Movement in the Environment (Fate and Transport) (ESCI 497/ESCI 460), 4 credits.
WWU, Spring 2004 & Winter 2005 - 2010.
Contaminant Movement in the Environment Lab. (ESCI 497G), 1 credit. WWU, Spring, 2004.
Aquatic Toxicology (ESCI 459), 3 credits. WWU, Spring 2005 – 2010, 2012-2016, 2018-2019.
Environmental Toxicology I (ESCI 455/555), 4 credits. WWU, Fall 2003 – 2009, 2011-2016, 2018-
2019.
Environmental Toxicology I Laboratory (ESCI 457/557), 4/3 credits. WWU, Fall 2003 – 2009, 2011-
2016, 2018-2019.
Introduction to Environmental Toxicology (ESCI 397/ESCI 333), 4 credits. WWU, Winter 2004 and
2014-2016, 2018, Spring 2005 – 2010, 2012-2013 & Summer 2009 - 2016.
Environmental Biology (ESGN 301), 3 credits. CSM, Spring, 1996.
Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory, 3 credits. McNeese State University, All semesters Fall 1993-
Spring 1995.
HONORS
Students under my advisement:
Outstanding Graduate Poster, WWU – Scholar’s Week Graduate Symposium, 2018
Outstanding Undergraduate Poster, WWU – All College Scholar’s Week Poster Fair, 2018
Huxley College, Environmental Science Department Outstanding Environmental Applications
Experience Award, 2018
Best Graduate Student Platform Presentation, PNW SETAC, 2018 (1st Place)
Best Undergraduate Poster Presentation, PNW SETAC, 2018 (1st Place)
Best Undergraduate Platform Presentation, PNW SETAC, 2018 (1st place)
Huxley College, Environmental Science Department Outstanding Environmental Applications
Experience Award, 2016
Best Undergraduate Poster Presentation, PNW SETAC, 2015 (1st and 2nd place)
Best Undergraduate Platform Presentation, PNW SETAC, 2016 (1st place)
Outstanding Undergraduate Poster, WWU – All College Scholar’s Week Poster Fair, 2015
Best Undergraduate Poster Presentation, PNW SETAC, 2015 (2nd and 3rd place)
Huxley College, Environmental Science Department Outstanding Environmental Applications
Experience Award, 2014
Outstanding Undergraduate Poster, WWU – Sigma Xi – College of Science and Technology Scholar’s
Week Poster Fair, 2014
Best Undergraduate Poster Presentation, PNW SETAC, 2014 (1st and 2nd place)
Huxley College, Environmental Science Department Outstanding Environmental Applications
Experience Award, 2013
Best Undergraduate Poster Presentation, PNW SETAC, 2013 (1st place)
Ruth M. Sofield
Outstanding Undergraduate Poster, WWU – Sigma Xi – College of Science and Technology Scholar’s
Week Poster Fair, 2013
Best Undergraduate Platform Presentations, SETAC North America, 2012 (1st and 2nd place)
Outstanding Undergraduate Poster, WWU – Sigma Xi – College of Science and Technology Scholar’s
Week Poster Fair, 2012
Research Grant Support Awarded to an Undergraduate, North Cascades Audubon Society
Best Undergraduate Poster (3rd place), PNW SETAC, 2012
Research and Sponsored Programs, Research and Creative Opportunities Grants for Undergraduate
Students, Winter 2012
Best Undergraduate Poster (3rd place), SETAC North America, 2010
Best MS Student Poster, PNW SETAC, 2010
Sigma Xi, Grants-in-Aid of Research, 2008
Best Graduate Presentation, PNW SETAC, 2008
Best Undergraduate Poster, PNW SETAC, 2008
The Environmental Challenge International, Air and Waste Management, Annual Conference and
Exhibition – 1st place (2008, 2009, 2010, 2014) and 5th (2010)
The Environmental Challenge, Air and Waste Management, Pacific Northwest International Section - 2nd
and 3rd place (2004), 1st and 5th place (2005), 1st and 2nd place (2006), 1st and 3rd (2007), 1st and 2nd
(2009), 3rd (2013), 2nd place (2016), and 1st place (2017, 2019).
Honorable mention (undergraduate), WWU – Sigma Xi – College of Science and Technology Scholar’s
Week Poster Fair, 2007
Best graduate student poster, PNW SETAC, 2007
Honorable mention (graduate), WWU Sigma Xi – College of Science and Technology Scholar’s Week
Poster Fair, 2006
Best graduate student presentation, Rocky Mountain SETAC, 2005
Sigma Xi, Grants-in-Aid of Research, 2005
Personal: Debnath Mookherjee Excellence in Teaching Award, Huxley College of the Environment, 2017
Excellence in Teaching Award, Western Washington University, 2014
Best Student Talk, Colorado School of Mines Graduate Research Fair, 2002
Best Student Poster, Colorado School of Mines Graduate Research Fair, 2001
Best Student Presentation, Rocky Mountain Regional SETAC meeting, 2001
Sigma Xi Research Grant, 2001
National Science Foundation Undergraduate and Graduate Scholarship/Research Funds, 2000-2002
C.V. Starr Foundation Scholarship, Bermuda Biological Station for Research, 2000
American Water Resources Association, Colorado Div., Rich Hebert Memorial Scholarship, 1998
Colorado Mountain Club Fellowship, 1998
Colorado Scientific Society, Edwin B. Eckel Memorial Research Grant, 1997
Edna Bailey Sussman Environmental Internship, 1996
Graduate Scholarship, McNeese State University, August 1993 - May 1995
Presidential Scholarship, West Virginia University, August 1989 - May 1993
Golden Key National Honor Society, West Virginia University, October 1991 - May 1993
Arts and Science Scholar, West Virginia University, 1991 and 1992
Beta Beta Beta National Biology Honorary, April 1991 - May 1993
Dean’s List, West Virginia University, 6 semesters
Helvetia Sophomore Honorary, West Virginia University, August 1990 - September 1991