David A. Point , Research Chemist (Guest Researcher)

Education:
Ph.D., 2004, University of Pau (France)
M.D., 2000, University of Pau (France)

Dr. Point's research focuses on the fate and impact of organometallic contaminants in marine environment, with a particular emphasis on mercury species and organotin compounds. This work makes use of novel analytical chemistry techniques such as species specific isotope dilution (SS-ID) and gas chromatography inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (GC-ICP-MS) to perform accurate and detailed measurements of organometallic compounds in various environmental matrices. The objectives of this work include (1) improving and developing new analytical procedures related to organometallic compounds analysis, (2) promoting the use of specimen bank resources to evaluate organometallic contaminants records in marine species, (3) defining temporal and spatial trends to improve our understanding of the distribution of organometallic contaminant in marine mammals and seabirds, (4) improving quality assurance activities including the development and certification of specific marine reference material, and (5) developing and promoting collaborative research activities between the University of Pau (France) and NIST to help and support the development of a specimen bank facility in France.

Before coming to NIST in 2005, Dr. Point obtained his Ph.D. at the University of Pau (France), working on the role of natural biogeochemical barriers (estuaries and sediment water interface) on trace metals speciation, reactivity and impacts. He has authored or co-authored several peer reviewed papers, and is currently involved in a number of collaborative research projects.

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