Dr. David Spurgeon

Biography

Ecotoxicological researcher who has worked on assessing the effects of anthropogenic stressors and pollution on soil communities in agricultural, urban and semi-natural and natural ecosystems Research on a range of projects aimed at understanding the response of soil organisms and soil communities to environmental perturbations – notably chemical pollution. Currently manage or contribute to research projects supporting the development of evidence based risk approaches for chemical managements.Current areas of work include developing risk assessment schemes for nanomaterials (EU NanoFASE project, EU NanTOES project); modelling the chemistry and bioavailability of nanomaterials during waste treatment and after release to soils (NERC-USEPA TINE project); the use of physiological traits to assess species sensitivity to chemical hazards (NERC Standard grant, EU Marie Curie action); the measurement and predictive modelling of the toxicity of pesticides (EFSA project) and radionuclides (EU STAR and COMET projects); and the application of genetic and epigenetic approaches to understand adaptation to long-term chemical exposure (NERC, EU FP7 Comet project). Through these and previous work, he have developed a track record of papers and other outputs relating to these subjects. His previous advisory experience includes project management boards for major international collaborative actions, membership of expert advisory boards for Environment Agency initiative on contaminated land assessment and an EFSA Working Groups on emerging risks. He have also contributed extensively to International initiatives on the risk assessment of chemical mixtures and nanomaterials.

Research Interest

Effects of anthropogenic stressors and pollution on soil