Paul R. Becker, Research Biologist,
NIST Project Leader

Education:
Ph.D., 1972, Texas A&M University
M.A., 1969, Southwest Texas State University
B.S., 1967, Southwest Texas State University

Dr. Becker has expertise in freshwater and marine ecology and has a specific interest in fate and effects of anthropogenic contaminants, particularly as related to Arctic ecosystems. His present research goal is to expand the application of cryogenic environmental specimen banking (ESB) to long-term ecosystem research and monitoring and to promote ESB as an important component of analytical quality assurance procedures.
Prior to coming to NIST in 1995, Dr. Becker served in various research and management positions with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. He has spent the last 15 years investigating anthropogenic contaminants in marine mammals and the role of these substances in affecting animal health. Much of this work has been devoted to contaminant issues as they affect animals in the Arctic and the indigenous peoples that rely on these species for subsistence. He has authored or co-authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, has served on numerous interagency and international scientific committees and advisory groups, and holds adjunct positions at the College of Charleston and the Medical University of South Carolina.

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