Dr. Kristin Nielsen

Biography

Kristin Nielsen is an aquatic toxicologist whose research focuses on developmental toxicity due to ubiquitous environmental contaminants affecting aquatic biota. She is particularly interested in heavy metal-induced developmental neurotoxicity in fish and photo-enhanced toxicity of oil on early life stage marine organisms, as well as the effects of chronic exposure to commonly found pharmaceuticals on non-target aquatic organisms. Prior to her role as an Assistant Professor at the University of Texas Marine Science Institute, Nielsen served as a human health and ecological risk assessor, where she evaluated risks at sites impacted by a variety of environmental contaminants. Her experience includes a significant tenure as State Toxicologist and Environmental Public Health Program Manager in the State of Alaska, where she dealt extensively with contamination issues related to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in rural communities. She possesses considerable expertise in risk communication and public outreach, emphasizing environmental justice and community engagement. Her research employs a systems approach to better understand the developmental and reproductive toxicity of anthropogenic stressors on freshwater and marine organisms, seeking to link molecular initiating events caused by contaminants to higher-level adverse effects using fish models from an ecotoxicological perspective.

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