Stacy S. Vander Pol , Research Biologist

Education:
M.S., 2002, College of Charleston (SC)
B.A., 1998, Southwest State University (MN)

Ms. Vander Pol's research involves analyzing seabird eggs from the Seabird Tissue Archival and Monitoring Project (STAMP) for persistent pollutants. This work involves cryohomogenization of the banked seabird samples followed by analytical chemistry techniques, such as gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, used to perform accurate and detailed measurements on the samples. Current objectives of Ms. Vander Pol's work include (1) determining spatial differences in contaminant patterns among seabird colonies, (2) determining differences in contaminant levels among seabird species eggs, and (3) assessing temporal changes in contaminants. Collaborations with other researchers will help answer previously observed differences by analyzing seabird eggs for carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes to determine trophic levels, genetics analyses to verify uncertain species eggs in the NIST Marine Environmental Specimen Bank, tracking of the female seabirds to determine foraging and wintering locations, and analysis of contaminants in prey items to determine any food web differences.
Prior to employment by NIST, Ms. Vander Pol analyzed drinking water quality for the Public Health Services Department of 4 counties in MN. Ms. Vander Pol has also held several science education positions.

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