Halmos Researchers Receive Three Scientific Grants

Halmos Professors Amy C. Hirons, Ph.D., and Dimitrios Giarikos, Ph.D., have recently been the recipients of three scientific grants for their combined research efforts.  Projects that received funding include: “Endangered Hawaiian Monk Seals: Vault of Pollutant Records in the Hawaiian Islands”, “Persistent Organic Pollutant in Peruvian Fur Seals: A Toxic Link or Safety Valve?”, and “Assessing Relationships Between Cytokines and Persistent Organic Pollutants as a Proxy of Peruvian Pinniped Health.“

“Endangered Hawaiian Monk Seals: Vault of Pollutant Records in the Hawaiian Islands” was funded for $5,000 by the Chicago Zoological Society Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) Endangered Species Fund 2021.  The project is planned to examine elemental contaminant concentrations in Hawaiian monk seals and their potential marine prey (fish and invertebrates) in the Hawaiian archipelago. By analyzing over three decades of samples from both the Northwest Hawaiian Islands and the Main Hawaiian Islands, the project will assess elemental spatial contribution and concentration changes through time with increasing human development in the Main Hawaiian Islands where potential increase in contaminant concentrations is greater due to anthropogenic sources.

“Persistent Organic Pollutant in Peruvian Fur Seals: A Toxic Link or Safety Valve?”, was also funded for $5,000 by the Chicago Zoological Society Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) Endangered Species Fund 2021.  The project aims to determine maternal transfer of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the vulnerable Peruvian fur seal population in Punta San Juan, Peru. Environmental contamination, from Peru’s growing mining and agricultural activities, may be preventing recovery of this species.  Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry will be used to analyze vibrissae (whiskers) serum/plasma and milk samples collected during the breeding season from dam/pup pairs.  Results will determine if females offload POPs via reproductive processes and may be applied to ecosystem-based management plans and local government regulations.

“Assessing Relationships Between Cytokines and Persistent Organic Pollutants as a Proxy of Peruvian Pinniped Health” was funded for $7,480 by the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians (AAZV) Wild Animal Health Fund 2022.  The proposed project aims to determine concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE), polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) in biological tissues of South American sea lions and Peruvian fur seals in Punta San Juan, Peru as well as establish the relationship between contaminant loads and cytokine profiles.  As a result of the study, the immunotoxicology impacts of persistent organic pollutants in these two vulnerable species will be determined, contributing to existing management plans and policies for pinnipeds at the Punta San Juan Reserve.

Posted 07/17/22