A) EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
PhD McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada (2013-2017)
Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Department of Natural Resource Sciences
Thesis: Exposure science to investigate factors influencing mercury concentrations in non-piscivorous birds
MS Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA (2004-2007)
College of Agriculture, School of Renewable Natural Resources
Thesis: The use of stable isotopes to determine the ratio of resident to migrant King Rails in southern Louisiana and Texas
BS Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, USA (1998-2002)
College of Science and Technology, Department of Biology
Major: Biology; Minor: Natural Resources
Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Department of Natural Resource Sciences
Thesis: Exposure science to investigate factors influencing mercury concentrations in non-piscivorous birds
MS Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA (2004-2007)
College of Agriculture, School of Renewable Natural Resources
Thesis: The use of stable isotopes to determine the ratio of resident to migrant King Rails in southern Louisiana and Texas
BS Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, USA (1998-2002)
College of Science and Technology, Department of Biology
Major: Biology; Minor: Natural Resources
B) RESEARCH INTERESTS AND CURRENT PROJECTS
My research interests focus on mercury exposure assessments in non-piscivorous birds and how these assessments can be used to evaluate mercury risk within a system. Specifically, my current research aims to better understand the factors that influence mercury concentrations of bird blood and feathers and to develop novel methods to improve large-scale mercury exposure assessments. The components of this research include: 1) Identifying ecological and physiological factors that influence Hg concentrations of bird blood and feathers using a large-scale, multi-species mercury exposure assessment of Arctic-breeding shorebirds; 2) Determining the ease and accuracy of using dried blood spots (DBS) to assess mercury exposure in birds; and 3) Mercury speciation and subcellular distribution in bird liver.
C) HONOURS AND AWARDS
2013-2016
2016 2015 2015 2013-2014 |
Fulbright Canada Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Award
McGill University Graduate Research Enhancement and Travel Award Western Hemisphere Shorebird Group Meeting Student Travel Grant International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant Student Travel Grant Graduate Excellence Award (McGill University) |
D) RESEARCH AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2017-
2012- 2012-2013 2010-2012 2008-2010 2004-2007 |
Postdoctoral Fellow, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
|
E) PUBLICATIONS
Peer-reviewed Manuscripts
Reports and Technical Notes
- Perkins, M. and N. Basu. 2018. Dried blood spots for estimating mercury exposure in birds. Environmental Pollution 236:236-246.
- Basu, N., J.W.L. Eng, M. Perkins, A. Santa Rios, G. Martincevic, K. Carlson, and R. Neitzel. 2017. Development, validation, and application of a novel method to measure methylmercury in newborn dried blood spots from the Michigan BioTrust for Health. Environmental Research 159:276-282.
- Perkins, M., B.D. Barst, J. Hadrava, and N. Basu. 2017. Mercury speciation and subcellular distribution in the liver of experimentally-dosed and wild birds. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 36:3289–3298.
- Srigboh, R.K., N. Basu, J. Stephens, E. Asampong, M. Perkins, R.L. Neitzel, and J. Fobil. 2016. Multiple elemental exposures amongst workers at the Agbogbloshie electronic waste (e-waste) site in Ghana. Chemosphere 164:68-74.
- Perkins, M., L. Ferguson, R.B. Lanctot, I.J. Stenhouse, S. Kendall, S. Brown, J.O. Hall, K. Regan, and D.C. Evers. 2016. Mercury exposure and risk in breeding and staging Alaskan shorebirds. The Condor 118:171-182.
- Fournier, A., A. Sullivan, J. Bump, M. Perkins, M. Shieldcastle, S. King. 2016. Combining citizen science and stable isotope analysis reveals migratory connectivity in a secretive species, the Virginia rail (Rallus limicola). Journal of Applied Ecology, 54: 618-627.
- Evers, D.C., J.A Schmutz, N. Basu, C.R. deSorbo, J.S. Fair, C.E. Gray, J. Paruk, M. Perkins, K. Regan, B.D. Uher-Koch, and K.G. Wright. 2014. Mercury exposure and risk in Yellow-billed Loons breeding in Alaska and Canada. Waterbirds 37:147-159.
- Perkins, M., S.L. King, and J. Linscombe. 2010. Effectiveness of capture techniques for rails in emergent marsh and agricultural wetlands. Waterbirds 33:376-380.
- Perkins, M., S.L. King, S.E. Travis, and J. Linscombe. 2009. Use of morphometric measurements to differentiate between species and sex of King and Clapper Rails. Waterbirds 32:579-584.
- onEarth.org, “Thousands of birds migrate to the Arctic - unfortunately, so does mercury”, Aug. 11, 2016. https://www.nrdc.org/onearth/thousands-birds-migrate-arctic-unfortunately-so-does-mercury
- Audubon, “High mercury levels pose another setback for Arctic birds”, July 22, 2016. http://www.audubon.org/news/high-mercury-levels-pose-another-setback-arctic-birds
- The Wildlife Society, “High levels of mercury found in Alaska’s Arctic shorebirds”, July 18, 2016. http://wildlife.org/high-levels-of-mercury-found-in-alaskas-arctic-shorebirds/
Reports and Technical Notes
- Stenhouse, I.J., J.L. Goyette, K.J. Regan, and M. Perkins. 2014. Quantifying mercury exposure in North American Arctic-breeding shorebirds. Report to U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Wildlife Management Institute. BRI Report #2014-14. Biodiversity Research Institute, Portland, ME. 31 pp.
- Basu, N., M. Bradley, C. McFeely, and M. Perkins. 2013. Public health and hydraulic fracturing in Michigan. In "Hydraulic Fracturing in the State of Michigan". Peer-reviewed. Graham Environmental Sustainability Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI. 37 pp. [http://graham.umich.edu/publications/hydraulic-fracturing-michigan-technical-report-public-health]
- Evers, D., E.M. Adams, M. Perkins, L. Savoy, C.S. Flegel, M. Duron, A. Gilbert, I. Johnson, and J. McKay. 2011. End-of-study draft summary report: Estimating oiling and mortality of secretive marsh birds from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, NRDA Deepwater Horizon (MC 252) Oil Spill (bird study #3). BRI-NRDA-DWH Report #3.3. Biodiversity Research Institute, Gorham, ME.
- Perkins, M., C. V. Klimas, J. Dunbar, T. Foti, and J. Pagan. 2011. Using General Land Office survey records in ecosystem restoration planning. EBA Technical Notes Collection. ERDC TN-EMRRP-EBA-9. U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, MS. [http://el.erdc.usace.army.mil/emrrp/emrrp.html]
- Wilder, T.C., W.M. Ford, and M.M. Perkins. 2011. A bibliography of selected literature on indirect impacts associated with Clean Water Act Section 404 permits. ERDC/EL TR-11-16. U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, MS.
- Klimas, C.V., T. Foti, J. Dunbar, J. Pagan, and M. Perkins. 2010. Analysis and recommendations for restoration of the Grassy Lake and Lower Little River Bottoms Ecosystem. Report to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers District, Little Rock. U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, MS.
- Perkins, M., S.L. King, and D. Krementz. 2009. Stopover habitat use by King Rails: Evaluation and habitat management implications. Final Report to US Fish & Wildlife Service. Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA.
F) PRESENTATIONS
Oral
Poster
- Perkins, M., B.D. Barst, J. Hadrava, and N. Basu. 2017. Mercury speciation and subcellular distribution in the liver of experimentally-dosed and wild birds. 13th International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.
- Perkins, M., I.J. Stenhouse, N. Basu, J. Bêty, R. Brentzen, D.C. Evers, H.R. Gates, M.-A. Giroux, J.-F. Lamarre, R.B. Lanctot, and N. Lecomte. 2016. Mercury exposure in Arctic-breeding shorebirds. North American Ornithological Conference 6th Annual Meeting, Washington D.C., USA. Invited.
- Perkins, M., I.J. Stenhouse, N. Basu, J. Bêty, R. Brentzen, H.R. Gates, M.-A. Giroux, J.-F. Lamarre, R.B. Lanctot, and N. Lecomte. 2015. Quantifying mercury exposure for multiple shorebird species across the North American Arctic using blood and feather samples. 6th Western Hemisphere Shorebird Group Meeting, Wallops Island, Virginia, USA. Invited.
- Perkins, M., and N. Basu. 2015. Using blood spots to assess mercury exposure in humans and wildlife. 12th International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant, Jeju, Korea.
- Perkins, M., I.J. Stenhouse, N. Basu, J. Bêty, H.R. Gates, M.-A. Giroux, J.-F. Lamarre, R.B. Lanctot, and N. Lecomte. 2014. Quantifying mercury exposure for multiple shorebird species across the North American Arctic using blood and feather samples. National Wildlife Research Centre Seminar Series, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Invited.
- Perkins, M., L. Eggert, R.B. Lanctot, N. Basu, I.J. Stenhouse, J. Bety, JF. Lamarre, R. Gates, and D.C. Evers. 2013. Evaluating blood and feather mercury concentrations for multiple Arctic shorebird species across a large spatial scale. 11th International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant, Edinburgh, Scotland.
- Perkins, M., C.V. Klimas, and J.B. Dunbar. 2009. Characterizing baseline conditions as a fundamental step in establishing ecosystem restoration targets and potential. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Research and Development Conference. Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
- Perkins, M., and S.L. King. 2007. The use of stable isotopes to determine the ratio of resident to migrant King Rails in southwestern Louisiana. Southeast Partners in Flight Annual Meeting. Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
- Perkins, M., and S.L. King. 2006. The use of stable isotopes to determine the ratio of resident to migrant King Rails in southwestern Louisiana. North American Ornithological Conference 4th Annual Meeting. Veracruz, Mexico.
- Perkins, M., and S.L. King. 2006. The use of stable isotopes to determine the ratio of resident to migrant King Rails in southwestern Louisiana. King Rail Conservation Action Plan Workshop. Memphis, Tennessee, USA. Invited.
- Perkins, M., and S.L. King. 2006. The use of stable isotopes to determine the ratio of resident to migrant King Rails in southwestern Louisiana. Louisiana Association of Professional Biologists. Lafayette, Louisiana, USA. Won best student presentation.
Poster
- Perkins, M. and N. Basu. 2016. Using dried blood spots to assess mercury exposure in birds. North American Ornithological Conference 6th Annual Meeting, Washington D.C., USA.
- Perkins, M. and N. Basu. 2016. Using blood spots to assess heavy metal exposure in humans and wildlife. Canadian Newborn and Infant Screening Symposium, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
- Perkins, M., I.J. Stenhouse, N. Basu, J. Bêty, R. Brentzen, H.R. Gates, M.-A. Giroux, J.-F. Lamarre, R.B. Lanctot, N. Lecomte, and D. Ward. 2015. Quantifying mercury exposure for multiple shorebird species across the North American Arctic using blood and feather samples. 12th International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant, Jeju, Korea.
- Perkins, M., I.J. Stenhouse, N. Basu, J. Bêty, H.R. Gates, M.-A. Giroux, J.-F. Lamarre, R.B. Lanctot, N. Lecomte, and D. Ward. 2014. Quantifying mercury exposure for multiple shorebird species across the North American Arctic using blood and feather samples. Arctic Change 2014, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
- Perkins, M. and N. Basu 2014. Using blood spots to assess heavy metal exposure in humans and wildlife. EcoHealth 2014, 5th Biennial Conference of the International Association for Ecology & Health. Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
- Perkins, M., L. Ferguson, R.B. Lanctot, I.J. Stenhouse, D.C. Evers, N. Basu, J. Bety, S. Brown, R. Gates, S. Kendall, JF. Lamarre, J. Liebezeit, and B. Sandercock. 2013. Quantifying mercury exposure for multiple shorebird species across the North American Arctic using blood and feather samples. 34th Annual Meeting, Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC). Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
- Perkins, M., J. Hinshaw, and N. Basu. 2013. Determining mercury exposure in Western North American grebes by analyzing feathers from museum specimens. 34th Annual Meeting, Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC). Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
- Perkins, M., J. Hinshaw, and N. Basu. 2013. Understanding mercury exposure in Western North America by analyzing grebe feathers. 11th International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant, Edinburgh, Scotland.
- Perkins, M., D.C. Evers, R. Lanctot, D. Ruthrauff, and S. Kendall. 2011. Mercury exposure in shorebirds. 4th Western Hemisphere Shorebird Group Meeting. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
- Berkowitz, J.F., and M. Perkins. 2009. Response of IRIS tubes to inundation in five soil textures. 30th Annual Meeting of the Society of Wetland Scientists. Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
- Perkins, M., and S.L. King. 2005. The use of stable isotopes to determine the ratio of resident to migrating King Rails in southwestern Louisiana. 12th Annual Meeting of The Wildlife Society, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
- Perkins, M., and S.L. King. 2005. The use of stable isotopes to determine the ratio of resident to migrant King Rails in southwestern Louisiana. 26th Annual Meeting of the Society of Wetland Scientists. Charleston, South Carolina, USA.