Understanding relationships between different ecosystems is a central theme in many USF MSEM courses. It is also an area of focus in Professor Allison Luengen’s current research. She’s now studying the concentration of mercury in coyotes, building on her extensive body of work researching mercury concentrations in marine food chains. We recently connected with Professor Luengen to learn more about her work in the lab, in the field, and in the classroom.
You’re studying coyotes currently. Why?
Coyotes are a very urban-adapted species. Urban wildlife is inherently interesting! There’s some evidence that coyotes may actually be eating out of marine food chains here in the Bay Area, which is not necessarily intuitive. But it is very interesting – and this may prove an important link in understanding the transfer of mercury between marine and terrestrial ecosystems.
I’m interested in protecting the health of wildlife and urban wildlife. And mercury consumption can be a real threat to the health of our coyote population. It may have adverse effects including neurological and reproductive declines. It could affect predator performance. And it may even impact survival rates among juveniles.
Are USF students involved in this research with you?
Yes, I currently have two MSEM students and two undergraduate students working in my lab. They each bring their own areas of interest – such as ecology, biology, toxicology. And the work provides a good view into what lab work is really like. They’re helping dissect coyotes, prep samples, run instruments and more.
Last spring you were a Visiting Researcher at the University of Newcastle in Australia. What were you doing there?
Yes, I was there from January through June – working on a marine ecotoxicology collaboration focused on metal accumulation in different mollusks. We are studying bivalves, cephalopods, and gastropods and exploring questions surrounding what factors affect metals accumulation in these organisms? Specifically, how do factors such as where they are in the food chain or where they live impact metals accumulation in these organisms. The work is ongoing.
Another project I started in Australia is studying the impact of lead on female semaphore crabs. There were many sources of metals, including an active coal port and metal smelting, so the wildlife there is exposed to heavy-industry toxins. Lead is a heavy metal like mercury – but, unlike mercury, it does not biomagnify.
How do your research and your classroom teaching intersect?
The common theme in my work is environmental health – understanding the hazards of pollutant exposure on communities and the opportunities to protect them. In my 15 years at USF, my teaching has centered on courses such as Environmental Health and Environmental Toxicology.
I’m really excited to be teaching a new undergraduate elective this term: Environmental Health & Justice. We’re exploring the inequitable burden of pollutants.
From your perspective, what’s special about the MSEM program?
The fact that our MSEM program is designed for working professionals means that students are bringing interesting and valuable experiences and insights into the classroom. There’s a real variety of perspectives, which leads to fascinating discussions and projects. Ultimately, this leads to specific, practical environmental management solutions.
What advice do you have for students thinking about their Master’s Project?
Pick something messy! Research should be complicated. You don’t want to ask a question you already know the answer to. You want to ask questions that lead down unexpected paths. The MSEM Master’s Project can be really helpful in getting you to the future work you want to be doing – whether or not you have a clear idea about what that is today.
