Current Staff and Students
Principal Investigator
Dr. Michael Lydy
Ph.D. Zoology, Ohio State University
Distinguished Professor
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Dr. Lydy’s areas of research interest include evaluating the effects of chemical mixtures, developing a basic understanding of the chemical and biological factors affecting toxicity, bioavailability and bioaccumulation, remediation of contaminated sites and evaluating the effectiveness of Best Management Practices in reducing pesticide and nutrient loadings into aquatic systems. He have received funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, industry and state sources to conduct research in these areas.
Staff
Dr. Kara Huff Hartz
Ph.D. Analytical Chemistry, Purdue University
Senior Scientist
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Dr. Huff Hartz is a pivotal member of the toxicology labs at SIU, where she specializes in method development, data analysis, and student mentorship. Her extensive experience and contributions span across all projects within the Lydy lab, making her an invaluable asset and one of the lab’s cherished members. With over 20 years of experience in environmental analytical chemistry, Dr. Huff Hartz has a robust background in both academic and applied research settings.
Dr. S.D.M Chinthaka Sinhapura
Ph.D. Analytical Chemistry, Wayne State University
Post-doctoral Researcher
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Chinthaka Sinhapura is currently involved in determining pesticide residues and lipid levels in archived fish and fish from sublethal exposure experiments. The pesticide determination is carried out using a modified QuEChERS method, and lipid determination is carried out by the Vanillin phosphoric acid method. His main professional goal is to explore new knowledge and developments in analytical and environmental chemistry. I aim to acquire operational skills in state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation. Outside of professional work, Chinthaka enjoys cycling and gardening, especially growing vegetables and fruits.
Dr. Hadis Miraly
Ph.D. Environmental Biology, SUNY College of the Environment and Forestry
Post-doctoral Researcher
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Hadis Miraly is currently focusing on the bioaccumulation and biotransformation of pesticides in aquatic ecosystems. Their primary research goal is to develop response spectrum models for the effects of pesticides on Chinook Salmon. Hadis’s professional interests include the study of pesticide impacts on aquatic life and the development of models to predict these effects. Their previous research explored the influence of climate-driven deoxygenation on the bioaccumulation of mercury in fish, showcasing a commitment to understanding how environmental stressors affect aquatic ecosystems. In their free time, Hadis enjoys reading poetry, listening to podcasts, and engaging in yoga and hiking. These activities offer a balance to their scientific pursuits and contribute to their overall well-being.
Graduate Students
Braden Weaver
B.S Chemistry, University of Wyoming
M.S Candidate
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Braden Weaver is currently working on method development for the detection of neonicotinoid pesticides in chickens. These compounds can enter nontarget animals through various routes of uptake and may cause unintentional adverse health effects within the organism. Braden recently graduated from the University of Wyoming with a B.S in Chemistry and moved to Carbondale where both him and his spouse are enrolled in a graduate program.
Trevor Grandy
B.S. Environmental Science, Alma College
M.S Candidate
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Trevor graduated from Alma College located in Alma, Michigan with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science. During this time, he participated in 3 years of undergraduate research investigating the impacts of road salts on aquatic plants and invertebrates. He is very excited to be investigating pesticide concentrations in Chinook salmon while in the Lydy lab at Southern Illinois University. Outside of work, Trevor enjoys fishing and watching movies.
Erin Melcher
B.S. Biology and chemistry minor, Slippery Rock University
M.S Candidate
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Erin recently graduated from Slippery Rock University with a B.S in Biology and minor in Chemistry, along with a B.A in Spanish. She has previous research experience with earthworm ecology, critical thermal maxima in Atlantic crabs, and behavioral spectrums in Adirondack brook trout. In the Lydy lab, Erin will be working with pesticide uptake in Chinook salmon. Outside of her research, she enjoys hiking, traveling, baking, and learning different languages.
Undergraduates
Juan Valencia-Tun
Zoology Major
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Juan Valencia-Tun is a junior at SIUC majoring in Zoology and minoring in English. His area of interest is the use of captive breeding as a means of conservation of species that are in danger of being, or already are, extinct in the wild. He is also interested in scientific divulgation with respect to educating the public on the importance of conservation, especially concerning “unwanted” or “unpopular” species, such as reptiles and invertebrates. In his free time he enjoys hiking, fishing, cooking, and herpetoculture.
Cecilia Castillo
Zoology Major, Animal Science Minor
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Cecilia Castillo is a senior at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, majoring in zoology and minoring in animal science. Before transferring, she finished her associate’s degree studying bioscience at Lake Land College. Cecilia’s passions revolve around animal care, ranging from the smallest animals to livestock. Her hobbies include herpetoculture, with Cecilia finding special interest in varied breeding genetics of the Kenyan sand boa.
Mia Mitchell
Zoology Major, Environmental Biology Specialization
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Mia Mitchell is a sophomore at Southern Illinois University majoring in Zoology with a specialization in Environmental Biology. Her academic interests revolve around ecological and environmental toxicology; she is interested in understanding the effects of toxins on multiple scales, from individual organisms to entire ecosystems. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, birding, fiber arts, and reading.