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ZOFIA E. GAGNON
Marist College, Department of Environmental Science
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
(845) 525-3000 ext. 2488
Zofia.Gagnon@marist.edu

EDUCATION

Ph.D.                  Plant Physiology, June 1986, Wroclaw University, Wroclaw, Poland
M.S. /B.S.          Botany, October 1978, University of Nicolaus Copernicus, Torun, Poland.
B.E.                    Electronics, January 1969, State Technical School, Dzierzoniow, Poland.
A.S.P.                Associate Safety Professional, 1993. Board of Certified Safety Professionals, Chicago, Illinois

EMPLOYMENT

Associate Professor, 1995 - Present, Marist College, School of Science, Poughkeepsie, NY.
Assistant Professor, 1994 -1995, University of Minnesota, Department of Biology, Duluth, MN.
Adjunct Professor, 1993 - Present, Michigan Technological University, School of Forestry and Wood Products, Houghton, MI.
Research Scientist, 1988 - 1994, Michigan Technological University, School of Forestry and Wood Products, Houghton, MI.
Research Fellowship, March, 1988 - December, 1988, Michigan Technological University, Department of Biological Sciences, Houghton, MI.
Postdoctoral Fellowship, August, 1987 - March, 1988, University of London, Queen Mary College, Department of Biological Sciences, London, England.
Research Scientist, December, 1983 - August, 1987, Wroclaw University, Institute of Botany, Department of Plant Ecology and Nature Protection, Wroclaw, Poland.
Engineer, January, 1969 - September, 1973, Diora Company, Designing Department, Radio and TV Works, Dzierzoniow, Poland.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILATION

International Association of Bryologists
The Botanical Society of America
American Society of Safety Engineers
Council for Undergraduate Research
Polish Association of Radiation Research
Council for Undergraduate Research

COURSES TAUGHT

Chemistry and Techniques of Spectrometric Analysis, Pollution of Biological Materials, Plant Ecology, Advanced Plant Ecology, Tree Physiology, Three Seedling Propagation, Topics in Tissue Culture, Plant Physiology, Plant Physiology and Laboratory, General Biology I, General Biology Laboratory I, General Biology Laboratory II, Field and Laboratory Ecology, Environmental Issues, Undergraduate Research, Laboratory Teaching Experience, Ecology, Environmental Toxicology, Environmental Health

SYNERGISTIC ACTIVITIES and RESEARCH SUPPORT

Cary Research Fellowship. 1996. Awarded by Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, NY ($9,000). Involved in biochemical and physiological study of isoprene emission from oak and cottonwood. Undergraduate Student Research Assistantship from Institute of Ecosystem Studies to serve as faculty advisor to undergraduate research assistant. (Awarded to Marist College student Daniel Sullivan.)

Summer Research Grant. 1996. Awarded by Marist College to develop study on the physiological and molecular effect of electromagnetic fields on tomato plants ($2,000). Research conducted in cooperation with Marist College biology professor Michael Zierler, PhD student from Imperial College University of London (UK) Adam Wiewiorka, and Marist College undergraduate student Sebastian Hoepfner.

Early Research Activity. From 1988 to 1994, managed a major project funded by the EPA, USDA and US Forest Service that studied the effect of tropospheric ozone and elevated carbon dioxide on the physiology of forest tree species. Worked closely with more than two dozen undergraduate students during this time and became proficient in biostatistics and toxicological experimental methods.

National Science Foundation, 1997, Dr. Zofia Gagnon co-authored a funded National Science Foundation proposal submitted to the Instrumentation and Laboratory Improvement program entitled “Application of Molecular Techniques to Enrich Environmental Science and Biology Curricula” (proposal number: 971371, amount awarded: $38,918.

Science on the Move. Senior Personnel in NSF Funded Program from 1997 to 2000. Work with high school teachers developing inquiry based science laboratory exercises.

Merck/AAAS Undergraduate Science Research Program. From 2003 to 2005 mentoring undergraduate students in research on cadmium in Hudson River, sediments and shoreline and its effect on plants, animals and microorganisms.

Summer Research Grant. 2002. Awarded by Marist College to develop study on the physiological and molecular effect of platinum group metals “The Physiological and Molecular Responses of Rats to Platinum Metals Group Exposure”, $2000.

Summer Research Grant. 2005, Awarded by Marist College to study pathological effect of Platinum group metals “Histopathological Study of Chicken Embryos exposed to Platinum Group Metals”, $2000.

Summer Research Grant. 2006. “Study of Teratogenicity in Neonatal Mice (Mus musculus) Exposed to Platinum Group Metals”, $2000.

PUBLICATIONS

Gagnon, Z.E. and Amit Patela. 2007. Induction of Metallothionein in Chick Embryos as Tolerance to Platinum Group Metals Exposure. J. of Environ Science and Health, Part A – Toxic/Hazardous Substances & Environmental Engineering,

Gagnon, Z.E., C. Newkirk, S. Hicks. 2006. Impact of platinum group metals on the environment: A toxicological, genotoxic and analytical chemistry study. J. of Environ Science and Health, Part A – Toxic/Hazardous Substances & Environmental Engineering, 41:397-404.

Gagnon, Z.E., C. Newkirk, J. A. Conetta, M. A. Sama, and S. Sisselman. 2003. Teratogenic Effect of Broad-band Electromagnetic Field on Neonatal Mice (Mus musculus). 2003. J. of Environ Science and Health, Part A –Toxic/Hazardous Substances & Environmental Engineering, Vol.A38, 11:2465-2481.

Gagnon, Z. E., V.A. Fernandez, and J.A. Conetta. 1999. The effect of broad-band electromagnetic field exposure on mice (Mus musculus). J Environ Science and Health, A35 (3):299-311.

Karnosky, D., Z. Gagnon, R. Dickson, M. Coleman and L. H. Isebrands, J. 1996. Changes in growth, leaf abscission, and biomass associated with seasonal tropospheric ozone exposures of Populus tremuloides clones and seedlings. Can J For Res, 26:23-31.

Kull, O., A. Sober, M.D. Coleman, Z.E. Gagnon, R.E. Dickson, J.G. Isebrands, and D.F. Karnosky. 1996. Photosynthetic responses of aspen clones to simultaneous exposures to ozone and CO2. Can J For Res, 26:38-51.

Karnosky, D.F., Z.E. Gagnon, D.D. Reed, J. Witter. 1992. Effects of genotype on the response of Populus tremuloides Michx. to ozone and nitrogen deposition. Water, Air and Soil Pollut, 62:189-199.

Gagnon, Z.E, and D.F. Karnosky, 1992. Physiological response of three species of Sphagnum to ozone exposure. J Bryol 17:81-91.

Gagnon, Z.E and J. Glime. 1992. The pH-lowering ability of Sphagnum magellanicum Brid. J Bryol, 17:47-57.

PRESENTATIONS

Robinson, H., Newkirk, C., Gagnon, Z. 2005. Bioaccumulation of Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) in Lycopersicon esculenta. The 171st AAAS Annual Meeting, February 17-21, Washington, DC, A152.

Hicks, S., R. Gupta, Z. E. Gagnon. DNA Damage from Platinum Exposure in Chicken Embryos. 2005. Bioaccumulation of Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) in Lycopersicon esculenta. The 171st AAAS Annual Meeting, February 17-21, Washington, DC, A142.

Spears, S., S. Hicks, J. Capecci, R. Zayas, Z. Gagnon, C. Newkirk, L. Isaac. 2005. Histopathological Analysis of Chicken Embryos Exposed to Platinum (IV). The 171st AAAS Annual Meeting, February 17-21, Washington, DC, A142.

Capecci, J., S. Hicks, R. Zayas, R. Gupta, Z. E. Gagnon. 2005. Influence of Platinum on Serotonin Levels in Chicken Embryo Brains. The 171st AAAS Annual Meeting, February 17-21, Washington,DC, A141.

Hicks, S., Z. E. Gagnon. 2005. The Tolerance Mechanism to Cadmium and Platinum Group Metals in Sphagnum magellanicum. The 171st AAAS Annual Meeting, February 17-21, Washington, DC. (Poster winner in Organismic Section), A152.

Noonan, T.C, C. Newkirk, Z. Gagnon. 2005. Bioaccumulation of Platinum Group Metals in Vicia faba. The 171st AAAS Annual Meeting, February 17-21, Washington, DC, A116.

Connor*, H., and Gagnon, Z.E. 2004. DNA damage from heavy metal exposure in different biological models. Science at the Leading Edge, Medicine and Public Health section, AAAS, Seattle, WA, A126.

Zimmerman J. and Z.E. Gagnon. 2004. Influence of endurance performance on salivary serotonin concentration in female athletes.” Medicine and Public Health section of the 2004 AAAS conference, Seattle, WA.

Spears S., Z.E. Gagnon, and J. Conetta. 2004 – “Histopathological study of Lepomis marochirus exposed to cadmium. Environment and Ecology section of the 2004 AAAS meeting.

Reeves*, B., J. Zimmerman*, C. Baker*, V. Porzio*, Z.E. Gagnon, C. Newkirk, and J. Conetta. 2003. Histopathological study of platinum group metal exposure to rats. Proc. 57th Annual Eastern Colleges Science Conference, B5.

Mirrione M., A. Sama, R.Mohan, Z.E. Gagnon, C. Guo, R. Thomas, L Rosenfeld, S. Dingman. 2002. Curette-based Immunoassay for Perfluo-5-hydroxytryptophan in Lycopersicon esculanta. Science in a Connected World, Proceedings of 188th Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, A107, Boston, NY.

Gagnon Z.E., M. Sama, J. Conetta, S. Dingman. 2002. Histological Investigation of Gallus domesticus Tissues after Administration of Perfluorinated Compounds. Science in a Connected World, Proceedings of 188th Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, A109, Boston, NY.

Gagnon, Z.E., Crocco*, M.J., Porzio*, V.A., Newkirk, C.E., Fitzgerald, N., Conetta, J. Bioaccumulation of platinum group metals (PGMs) in earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris). Invited presentation. Abstract published in Achieving Global Environmental Quality: Integrating Science & Management, Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 491, p 107, Salt Lake City, UT, 2002.

Gagnon, Z.E., Mirrione*, M. Determination of platinum group metals at trace levels in Sphagnum magellanicum. Invited presentation. Abstract published in Third International Symposium on the Biology of Sphagnum, S. Sastad and H. Rydin eds., Trondheim, Norway, p 13, 2002.

Gaganon Z.E., Sama*, M., Conetta, J.A., Dingman, S. Histological investigation of Gallus domesticus tissues after administration of perfluorinated compounds. Science in a Connected World, American Association for the Advancement of Science, A109, Boston, MA, 2002.

Porzio V., M. Crocco, Z.E. Gagagnon, C. Newkirk. Genotoxic Effect of Platinum Family Compounds on DNA in Lumbricus terrestris. Third prize at the American Chemical Society Mid-Hudson Chapter Student Symposium. New Paltz, 2002

Shapiro C., J. Gosewisch, Z.E. Gagagnon, N. Fitzgerald. Accumulation and toxicity of platinum family metals by plants. Proceedings of Eastern Colleges Science Conference, O2, Niagara Falls, NY, 2002.

Mohan R., M. Mirrione, M. Sama, Z.E. Gagnon. Study of serotonin and perfluorinated-5-hydroxytryptophan tags recovered from Lycopersicon esculanta using curette based immunoassay, fluoroscopy and thin layer chromatography. Proceedings of Eastern Colleges Science Conference, A6, Niagara Falls, NY, 2002.

Porzio V., M. Crocco, Z.E. Gagnon, C. Newkirk. Determing Genotoxic Effect of Platinum Family Metals on Lumbricus terrestris by Comet Assay. Proceedings of Eastern Colleges Science Conference, I3, The second prize, Niagara Falls, NY, 2002.

Felice, D.L.,* M. Mirrione,* Z. Gagnon, L. Arwood. Effects of PCBs on physiology and DNA of Sphagnum magellanicum and Lycopersicon esculenta. Proceedings of the 15th National Conference on Undergraduate Research, Lexington, KY, A1, 3, 2001.

Behme, M.,* Z. Gagnon, and S. Dingman. The effect of perfluorinated L-tryptophan on Lycopersicon esculenta seedlings: a new in vivo toxicity model. Science in an Uncertain Millennium, Proceedings of the 166th Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Washington, DC, A73, 2000.

Perierra, E.A.,* Z.E. Gaganon, D.L. Felice.* Plant PCB accumulation from Contaminated Hudson River Sediments. Proceedings of the 20th Annual Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Meeting, Philadelphia, PA, 158-159, 1999.

Karnosky, D.F., Z.E. Gagnon, R.E. Dickon, M.D. Coleman, P. Pechter, J.G. Isebrand. 1993. Genetic variability in ozone response of trees: Indicators of sensitivity. Proc. Ecophysiology and Genetics of Trees and Forests in a Changing Environment Viterbo, Italy, 106-107.

PATENT

Patent Number 139943, Method of Plant Growth Stimulation with Electromagnetic Field. Polish Patent Office, December 1986.

LABARATORY MANUAL PUBLICATIONS

Developed laboratory exercises and compiled laboratory manuals for three Marist College courses reviewed and updated every year:

Laboratory and Field Ecology 1997-2000,
Environmental Toxicology 1996 – present
Botany 1996- present

COLLABORATORS

Joseph Conetta, Department of Pathology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY.
Sherry Dingman, Department of Psychology, Marist College, Poughkeepsie, NY .
Neil Fitzgerald, Department of Chemistry, Marist College, Poughkeepsie, NY.
Martine Mirrione, Graduate Student, Department of Pharmacology, SUNY Stony Brook, NY.
Catherine Newkirk, Department of Medical Technology, Marist College, Poughkeepsie, NY.
Rhys Thomas, Fayette Environmental Services, Inc, Fayette, MO
Leon Isaac MD, St Francis Hospital, Department of Pathology, Poughkeepsie, NY

GRADUATE AND POSTDOCTORAL ADVISORS
Wanda Gugnacka, M.S. Advisor, University of Nicolaus Copernicus, Torun, Poland
Jan F. Sarosiek, PhD Advisor, Wroclaw University, Wroclaw, Poland
Patrick Denny, Postdoctoral Advisor, University of London, Queen Mary College, London, England