TERI S. MYERS, Ph.D.
EDUCATION:
2000. Ph.D., Environmental Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia.
1995. B.S., Botany, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
SPECIALITY/TECHNICAL COURSES:
2002. Statistical Analysis Training for Avian Reproduction Toxicity Data, Environmental Fate and Effects Division, OPP, EPA. Crystal City, Virginia.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
2005-Present. Senior Scientist and Program Manager, Cambridge Environmental Inc., Frederick, Maryland.
2000-2005. Senior Staff Scientist and Program Manager, Dynamac Corporation, Germantown, Maryland.
2000. Data Indexer, Cambridge Scientific Abstracts, Bethesda, Maryland. Determined keyword lists for ecological studies that were entered into the Cambridge Scientific Abstract database. Indexed keywords for approximately 1500 ecological peer-reviewed studies.
1995-2000. Research and Teaching Assistant, West Virginia University, Department of Biology, Morgantown, West Virginia. Designed, conducted, and analyzed experiments to examine the impact of human activities and global change on several Appalachian tree species with consequences for forest damage by an introduced pest, gypsy moth. Grew trees in greenhouse and field settings to determine the effects of elevated nitrogen deposition and drought on tree growth, physiology, and foliar chemistry. Experience using field equipment to measure plant and soil water status, plant photosynthesis, and remotely sense plant chemical compounds. Experience assaying plant and soil compounds using wet chemistry techniques and spectrophotometric determination. Conducted field and growth chamber feeding trials with gypsy moth to assess insect response to changes in foliar chemistry, including the evaluation of insect nutritional indices. Supervised the design, conduct, analysis, and report of toxicity tests with hazardous agents, including pesticides, acid mine drainage, UV radiation, and elevated CO2 on terrestrial and aquatic organisms (e.g. microbial, invertebrate, plant, amphibian, and fish species). Trained in population genetics and has experience conducting breeding experiments
with model species Drosophila melanogaster and Brassica rapa.
1993-1995. Research Assistant, University of Florida, Departments of Botany and Zoology, Gainesville, Florida. Designed and conducted experiments to examine bird and mammal seed dispersal. Grew several species of Solanum in the greenhouse and field to examine characters associated with fruit production and frugivory. Designed and conducted food choice experiments with American robin, bobwhite quail, and deer mice. Surveyed a Western Florida salt marsh to assess the impact of hurricane damage and flooding on vegetation regeneration. Experience sampling and taxonomically identifying plant species, using land surveying equipment and, interpreting aerial photography.
AWARDS:
Eberly College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Graduate Student (2000).
Sigma Xi Scientific Society Graduate Research Award (2000).
Earl L. Core Memorial Scholarship for the Study of Appalachian Ecology (1997&1999).
Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Department of Biology (1999).
Higher Education Resource Fund Fellowship for Teaching (1995-1999).
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Research Achievement Award (1994-1995).
SELECTED CONSULTING PROJECT EXPERIENCE:
U.S. EPA, OPP, Ecological Risk of Pesticides, Senior Scientist and Program Manager.
Responsibilities include critical review, statistical analysis and interpretation, and technical editing of chemical and biological data relating to the acute, subchronic, and chronic toxicity of pesticides in water, sediment, and soil. Determines toxicity (via calculation of ECX/LCx and NOAEC values) for a multitude of aquatic and terrestrial invertebrate and vertebrate species (e.g., benthic species, fish, insects, and birds) as well as for non-target aquatic and terrestrial plants (e.g., algae and crop species). Has evaluated the integrity of the experimental design and data from over 2,000 ecotoxicological studies and made suggestions to EPA regarding their toxicity and compliance with approved EPA guidelines. Prepares hazard profiles and ecological pesticide risk assessments, and makes risk management recommendations to EPA. Supervises ecotoxicological library research and database entry for the client. Responsible for task management and deliverables, including budgeting of hours and dollars, completion of deadlines, and technical consulting and training. Serves as the primary contact with EPA on all contract issues. Has prepared a technical background review summarizing and evaluating historical and current laboratory and field methods for assessing toxicity of pesticides to terrestrial plants. The manuscript was presented to a Scientific Advisory Panel and served to stimulate discussion about guideline harmonization issues with international environmental agencies.
Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA)-Health Canada, Review of Environmental Data in Support of Canadian Registration of Pest Control Products, Senior Scientist and Program Manager.
Conducted the critical review, statistical analysis and interpretation, and technical editing of chemical and biological data relating to the acute, subchronic, and chronic toxicity of pesticides in water, sediment, and soil. Determined toxicity (via calculation of ECX/LCx and NOAEC values) for a multitude of aquatic and terrestrial invertebrate and vertebrate species (e.g., fish, insects, and birds) as well as for non-target aquatic and terrestrial plants (e.g., algae and crop species). Evaluated the integrity of the experimental design and data from over 30 ecotoxicological studies and made suggestions to PMRA regarding their toxicity and compliance with Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the U.S. Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances (OPPTS) pesticide registration guidelines.
U.S. EPA, OPP, Environmental Fate of Pesticides, Staff Scientist.
Reviewed and interpreted chemical and biological data pertaining to the fate and transport of potentially hazardous materials in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and determined the impact of these chemicals on ground and surface water. Prepared Environmental Fate and Exposure Assessments and made risk management recommendations based on the integration of these data.
ORIGINAL REPORTS:
Principal author of over 2000 reviews of studies on the ecological risk of pesticides that were submitted under Subdivision E, J, and L and the harmonized OPPTS 850 series Guidelines.
Myers, T.S. (2001). Harmonization of non-target terrestrial plant testing guidelines. Prepared by Dynamac Corporation for the US EPA, Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Fate and Effects Division for the Science Advisory Panel Briefing June 27-29, 2001.
Myers, T.S. (2000). Effects of nitrogen and water on growth, photosynthesis, and leaf properties of deciduous tree species with consequences for gypsy moth herbivory. Ph.D. Dissertation.
Myers, T.S. and Thomas, R.B. (2000). Increasing atmospheric nitrogen deposition impacts seedling drought susceptibility of northern Appalachian tree species. Poster presented to Sigma Xi Scientific Society and the College of Eberly Arts and Sciences Annual Graduate Student Research Symposium.
Myers, T.S. and Thomas, R.B. (1999). Effects of soil nitrogen and water availability on growth of four deciduous tree species in a field study. Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America 80:156.
Tamboia, T.S. and Thomas, R.B. (1998). Effects of soil nitrogen and water availability on four tree species of northeastern deciduous forests. Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America 79:221.