Environmental Toxicology

Environmental toxicologists use various disciplines such as molecular biology, various -omics technologies, biochemistry, environmental chemistry, geochemistry, ecology, social sciences and computer science to determine the fate, effects and risks of man-made toxicants and natural toxins on human health and the environment.

Clemson’s toxicologists are involved in scientific studies investigating forever chemicals, mixtures, endocrine disruptors and multiple emerging toxicants to determine their effects on reproduction, obesity and metabolic disease, development, nervous system, epigenetics, metabolism, and gene-environment interactions. They are interested in human health, ecosystem health, chemical fate, freshwater and marine toxicity, and different mitigation strategies through both field- and lab-based studies using a variety of research models ranging from plants, rodents, fish, avian, invertebrate, and in-vitro cell and stem cell models. This approach includes One Health approaches that use inter-and transdisciplinary approaches that recognize and study the interconnection between chemicals — chemical mixtures, people, animals, plants and our shared environment.

Facilities supporting this research include the Jordan Hall Molecular Core Facility, Clemson Light Imaging Facility, Palmetto High Performance Computing Cluster, Clemson University Genomics and Bioinformatics Facility, Clemson Center for Human Genetics, Multi-User Analytical Laboratory, Clemson Experimental Forest, and Eukaryotic Pathogens Innovation Center.

Faculty have received funding from the NIH, NSF, DOD, NOAA — Sea Grant, USDA, USGS and industry sources. Our mission is to train new environmental toxicologists and address pertinent toxicological questions on chemical fate, bioavailability, biological effects, toxicokinetics and mechanisms of action. Our M.S. and Ph.D. programs in environmental toxicology have produced graduates now employed nationally and internationally in government, academic and industry positions.