Ruth M. Sofield (Harper)

ruth.sofield@wwu.edu

Ruth M. Sofield (Harper), Professor Department of Environmental Sciences

Huxley College of the Environment

Western Washington University MS 9181 (360) 650-2181 office

Bellingham, WA 98225 ruth.sofield@wwu.edu (360) 650-2496 lab

EDUCATION

Doctorate of Philosophy in Environmental Science and Engineering with a Minor in Management,

May 2002

Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO

Dissertation Title: Genetically Based Tolerance to Chemical Exposure in the Grass Shrimp,

Palaemonetes pugio.

Research Advisor: Dr. Philippe Ross, Colorado School of Mines

Master of Science in Environmental Science and Engineering, December 1999

Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO

Master of Science in Environmental Science, May 1995

McNeese State University, Lake Charles, LA

Bachelor of Arts in Biology, May 1993

West Virginia University, Morgantown, WVU

SELECTED WORK EXPERIENCE

Professor, Department of Environmental Sciences, Huxley College of the Environment, Western

Washington University, 2015

Associate Professor, Department of Environmental Sciences, Huxley College of the Environment,

Western Washington University, 2009 – 2015

Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Sciences, Huxley College of the Environment,

Western Washington University, 2003 – 2009

Marine and Estuarine Science Program Faculty, Shannon Point Marine Center, 2004 – present

Post-doctoral Fellow, under the guidance of Dr. Bruce Honeyman, Colorado School of Mines, 2002 –

2003

Field Biologist, Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research, Marine

Ecotoxicology Branch, National Ocean Service, NOAA, Charleston, SC, 1999 – 2002

Marine Ecotoxicology Teaching Assistant, June 2001 – July 2001

The Bermuda Biological Station for Research, Inc.

Toxicology Investigator, July 2000 – May 2002

Investigation of acute toxicity of mine tailings leachate to Daphnia magna, Vibrio fischeri, and Lactuca

sativa using standard testing procedures, including ASTM and Microtox protocols.

Ruth M. Sofield

ruth.sofield@wwu.edu

SELECTED RESEARCH - PERSONAL

Environmental Chemistry and Toxicity of Silver Nanoparticles, Visiting Researcher, Work

conducted at Environmental Toxicology Department at EAWAG in Dübendorf, Switzerland. September

2010 – August 2011.

Effects of Environmental Ligands on Plutonium and Uranium Mobility in the Subsurface

Environment: Radionuclide Chemistry Post-doctoral Research, June 2002 – September 2003

Funded under NABIR by Department of Energy.

Investigation of how increasingly complex environmental ligands affect stability of Plutonium and

Uranium in the vadose and non-vadose zone. Work done in collaboration with Brookhaven National

Laboratory and Texas A&M at Galveston. End goal is to apply knowledge to possible bioremediation of

radionuclide contaminated areas.

Genetically Based Tolerance to Chemical Exposure in the Grass Shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio,

Ph.D. Dissertation Research, January 1999 – May 2002

Primarily funded by the National Ocean Service, NOAA, Charleston, SC.

Investigation of whether P. pugio (grass shrimp) that are tolerant to chemical (endosulfan, chromium, and

fluoranthene) exposure have different allozyme frequencies than grass shrimp that are not tolerant to

chemical exposure.

Research included "Time to Death" tests of adult P. pugio, hatchability and development of P. pugio

embryos, allozyme analysis, and computer modeling of effects to P. pugio populations.

Hydrologic and Geochemical Functions of Southern Rocky Mountain Wetlands,

May 1997 – May 1999

Funded by Colorado Geologic Survey and Colorado Scientific Society.

Investigated wetland functions; involved characterization of wetland hydrology and wetland

biogeochemistry.

RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS (WWU student authors underlined)

Selected Works Available at https://works.bepress.com/ruth-sofield/

Bannerman BG, Bodensteiner LR, Sofield RM, Rawhouser AK. 2019. The Chemistry of Sub-Alpine

Streams in Mined Regions of the North Cascades Range. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution. 230(7):143

DOI 10.1007/s11270-019-4195-9

Maki BC, Hodges KR, Ford SC, Sofield RM. 2017. The Influence of Hydrous Ferric Oxide,

Earthworms, and a Hypertolerant Plant on Arsenic and Iron Bioavailability, Fate, and Transport in

Soils. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 24(36): 27710-27723. DOI: 10.1007/s11356-

016-7852-1. Epub 2016 Oct 24.

Sofield RM, Collier TK. 2017. Recent Advances in Toxicity Assessment Across Taxa. Environmental

Science and Pollution Research. 24(36): 27631-27633. DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-0730-7. Epub

2016 Oct 24.

Diedrich, DJ, Sofield RM, Ranville JF, Hoff DJ, Wall VD, Brinkman SF. 2015. The Effects of

Chronological Age and Size on Toxicity of Zinc to Juvenile Brown Trout. Archives of Environmental

Contamination and Toxicology. 69(1):123-131. DOI: 10.1007/s00244-015-0151-x

Smith K, Ranville J, Lesher E, Diedrich D, McKnight D, Sofield R. 2014. Fractionation of Dissolved

Organic Matter by Iron and Aluminum Oxides—Influence on Copper Toxicity to Ceriodaphnia

dubia. Environmental Science and Technology.48:11934-11943. DOI: 10.1021/es502243m

Sofield RM, Tinnacher RM, Eckard SM. 2013. Ecotoxicology: Plutonium. In Scott Elias (Ed.),

Encyclopedia of Ecology, 2nd Edition, Elsevier B.V., Oxford.

Ruth M. Sofield

ruth.sofield@wwu.edu

Sofield RM, Kantar C. 2013. Ecotoxicology: Uranium. In Scott Elias (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Ecology,

2nd Edition, Elsevier B.V., Oxford.

Stiles J, Sofield RM. 2013. Fish and Shellfish Consumption: Traditions, Regulations, and a Cleaner

Environment in the US Pacific Northwest. Learned Discourse: Integrated Environmental Assessment

and Management. 9(3):539-540.

Sofield RM. 2013. A Pilot Investigation of the Pollution and Toxicity of Snowpack Collected from

Snowmobile Recreation Areas in Washington and Wyoming. Final Report: Submitted to Winter

Wildlands Association.

Fortner JC, Sofield RM. 2009. Phototoxicity of Contaminated Groundwater. Final Report: Submitted to

Washington Department of Ecology. http://www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/0909045.html

Martins M, Bollinger C, Harper R, Ribeiro R. 2009. Effects of Acid Mine Drainage on the Genetic

Diversity and Structure of a Natural Population of Daphnia longispina. Aquatic Toxicology. 92:104-

112.

Sofield RM and Bollinger C. 2009. Trans-Boundary Metal Pollution in the Okanagan Regions of British

Columbia and Washington State: An Assessment of Metal Toxicity and Speciation in the Columbia

River. Final Report: Submitted to the Border Policy Research Institute, Western Washington

University. www.wwu.edu/bpri/files/2009_Jun_Report_No_7_Columbia_Metals.pdf

Harper RM, Kantar C, and Honeyman BD. 2008. Binding of Pu (IV) to Galacturonic Acid and

Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS) from Shewanella putrefaciens, Clostridium sp., and

Pseudomonas fluorescens. Radiochimica acta. 96:753-762.

Harper RM, Tinnacher R. 2008. Ecotoxicology: Plutonium. Sven Erik Jorgensen & Brian D. Fath

(Eds.), Encyclopedia of Ecology, 1st Edition, Elsevier B.V., Oxford, pp 2845- 2850.

Harper RM, Kantar C. 2008. Ecotoxicology: Uranium. Sven Erik Jorgensen & Brian D. Fath (Eds.),

Encyclopedia of Ecology, 1st Edition, Elsevier B.V., Oxford, pp 3662-3665.

Martins N, Lopes I, Harper R, Ross P, and Ribeiro R. 2007. Differential Resistance to Copper and

Mine Drainage in Daphnia longispina: Relationship with Allozyme Genotypes. Environmental

Toxicology and Chemistry. 26(9):1904-1909.

Kantar C, Gillow JG, Harper-Arabie RM, Honeyman BD, and Francis AJ. 2005. Determination of

Stability Constants of U(VI)-Fe(III)-Citrate Complexes. Environmental Science and Technology.

39(7): 2161-2168.

Harper-Arabie RM, Wirth EF, Fulton MF, Scott GI, and Ross PE. 2004. Protective Effects of

Allozyme Genotype During Chemical Exposure in the Grass Shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio. Aquatic

Toxicology. 70(1): 41-54.

Harper-Arabie RM, and Kolm KE. An Integrated Approach to Wetlands Characterization in

Determining Hydrologic Functions. In: The First International Symposium on Integrated Technical

Approached to Site Characterization, Argonne National Laboratory, Illinois, 1998.

Kolm KE, Harper-Arabie RM, and Emerick JC. 1998. Chapter In Final Report: Characterization and

Functional Assessment of Reference Wetlands in Colorado; A Preliminary Investigation of

Hydrogeomorphic (HGM) Classification and Functions for Colorado's Wetlands. Colorado

Department of Natural Resources and U.S. EPA, Region VIII, Denver, CO.

BOOKS

Landis WG, Sofield RM, and Yu MH. 2017. Introduction to Environmental Toxicology: Impacts of

Chemicals Upon Ecological Systems. 5th Edition

Landis WG, Sofield RM, and Yu MH. 2010. Introduction to Environmental Toxicology: Impacts of

Chemicals Upon Ecological Systems. 4th Edition.

Ruth M. Sofield

ruth.sofield@wwu.edu

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

Chair of revisions for Standard Methods 8050: Bacterial Bioluminescence Test, 23rd Edition.

Chair of revisions for Standard Methods 8711: Daphnia, 23rd Edition.

Chair of revisions for Standard Methods 8050: Bacterial Bioluminescence Test, 22nd Edition.

Chair of revisions for Standard Methods 8711: Daphnia, 22nd Edition.

SELECTED PRESENTATIONS (WWU student authors underlined; * represents award

winning presentations)

Sofield RM, Brown E, Bonnard J, Johnson A. 2019. Assessment of metal mixtures and water quality on

passive samplers. ISTA19, Thessalonki, Greece.

Kirby J, Brown E, Johnson A, Norris T, Booth JW, Miller J, Sanchez M, Pratt J, Sofield RM. 2019.

Stabilized Liquid Membrane Device Chelation Rates for Metals of Differing Valencies. SETAC

North American Meeting, Sacramento, CA.

Johnson A, Norris T, Kirby J, Brown E, Booth JW, Miller J, Pratt J, Sanchez M, Sofield RM. 2019.

Testing the effectiveness of stabilized liquid membrane device (SLMD) passive samplers at varying

water hardnesses. SETAC North American Meeting, Sacramento, CA.

Guddal TG, Miller J, Johnson AM, and Sofield RM. 2018. EDS Mapping of Particles as a Component of

Lichen Biomonitoring in Seattle, Washington. SETAC Europe Annual Meeting, Rome, Italy.

Guddal TG, and Sofield RM. 2018. Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy Mapping of Particles as a

Component of Lichen Biomonitoring in Seattle, Washington. Pacific Northwest SETAC Annual

Meeting, Corvallis, OR.

Miller J*, Johnson AM, Guddal TG, and Sofield RM. 2018. Bioaccumulation of Copper and Zinc in the

Fruticose Lichen Ramalina farinacea Analyzed by Sequential Extraction and SEM. Pacific Northwest

SETAC Annual Meeting, Corvallis, OR.

Moran I*, Charlton C., Coverdale AM., Kramarevsky EJ., Lawrence EJ., Sofield RM. 2018.

Bioavailability and Toxicity of Metal Mixtures Using the Tissue Residue Approach. Pacific

Northwest SETAC Annual Meeting, Corvallis, OR.

Walli C*, Sofield RM. 2018. Impacts of Major Freshwater Ions on the Acute Toxicity of Silver

Nanoparticles to Daphnia magna. Pacific Northwest SETAC Annual Meeting, Corvallis, OR.

Aiken M*, Sofield RM. 2016. Sediment Quality Triad Analysis at a Model Toxics Control Act Site in

Anacortes, Washington. Pacific Northwest SETAC Annual Meeting, Bellingham, WA.

Maki B.*, Ford S., Sofield RM. 2016. Arsenic Mobility and Bioavailability in Washington State Soils:

An Investigation into the Influence of Hydrous Ferric Oxide, Earthworms, and the Arsenic Hyper -

Tolerant Brassica juncea on the Fate of Arsenic in Soils. Pacific Northwest SETAC Annual Meeting,

Bellingham, WA.

Guddal TG, Cade HT, Sofield RM. 2016. Lichen as a Biomonitoring Tool: Analysis of Train

Emissions with SEM Imaging and Sequential Extractions. Pacific Northwest SETAC Annual

Meeting, Bellingham, WA.

Sofield RM. 2016. Environmental Toxicology and Active Learning – The Trials and Tribulations of

Trying New Approaches in a Learning Environment. SETAC North American Meeting, Salt Lake

City, UT.

Sofield RM. 2016. Scientific Communication in the Environmental Sciences – It is a Different World.

SETAC North American Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT.

Hahn JH, Sofield RM, Ylitalo GM, Poppenga RH, West JE, Hollenhorst SJ, Van Alstyne KL, and

Gaydos JK. 2016. Seaweed Superfood or Contaminated product? Cross-Border Pilot Study on Salish

Seaweed Contamination. Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference, Vancouver, BC.

Ruth M. Sofield

ruth.sofield@wwu.edu

Wallis LK, Schmitt CG, Matthews RA, Sofield RM. 2016. Determination of Source, Spatial, and

Temporal Trends of Black Carbon Deposition on Peruvian Glaciers. Young Environmental Science

(YES) Meeting, Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Gainsville, FL.

Meyer JE, Dewitt R, Sofield RM. 2015. A Consequence of Train-Based Transportation: Exposure and

Effects of Rail Traffic on Lichens During a Five-Month Exposure. SETAC North American Meeting,

Salt Lake City, UT.

Sofield RM. 2015. A Synthesis of Knowledge on Silver Nanoparticle and NOM Interactions: Toxicity

and Chemistry in Aquatic Environments. ISTA17, Bellingham, WA.

DeWitt R, Meyer JE, Sofield RM. 2015. Chemical, Biological, and Visual Analysis of Train-Sourced

Air Pollution near Bellingham, Washington. ISTA17, Bellingham, WA.

Sofield RM and Paci-Green R. 2015. Communicating Details of Complex Site Remediation in

Washington State to Non-technical and Technical Audiences. Pacific Northwest SETAC Annual

Meeting, Portland, OR. Interactive poster session.

Guddal TG, Bellefeuille B and Sarhan RS. 2015. An Assessment of the Long-term Efficacy of Activated

Carbon When Ingested By Marine Worms. Pacific Northwest SETAC Annual Meeting, Portland,

OR. Interactive poster session.

Abernathy MJ*, Dionisio AB, Ford SC, and Maki BC. 2015. Phytoremediation of Arsenic and

Petroleum-Hydrocarbon Contaminated Soils using Mustard Plants: An Examination of Remediation

Potential in the Presence of Annelids. Pacific Northwest SETAC Annual Meeting, Portland, OR.

Interactive poster session.

Dewitt R* and Meyer JE. 2015. Spatial and temporal effects of Train-Sourced Air Pollution on Lichen

(Ramalina farinacea) as Measured by Numerous Biomarker Responses and Community-Structure.

Pacific Northwest SETAC Annual Meeting, Portland, OR.

Kelley A, Johnson J, and Sofield RM. 2014. Metal Accumulation and Biomarker Response in Lichens

from the Pacific Northwest Rail Corridor in Bellingham, Washington. SETAC North America

Meeting, Vancouver, BC.

Sofield RM, San C, and Nieman A. 2014. Impacts of Fulvic Acids in Light and Dark Conditions on

Silver Nanoparticle Characteristics. SETAC North America Meeting, Vancouver, BC.

Johnson J*, Kelley A, and Sofield RM. 2014. Lichens as Air Quality Biomonitors Along the Pacific

Northwest Rail Corridor in Bellingham, Washington. Pacific Northwest SETAC Annual Meeting,

Tacoma, WA.

San C*, Fung C, Sofield RM. 2014. Investigation of Silver Nanoparticle Toxicity at Different

Temperatures. Pacific Northwest SETAC Annual Meeting, Tacoma, WA.

Fix JE*, and Sofield RM. 2013. Investigation of Biochemical Responses of Lichens to Air Pollutants

Originating from trains in Northwestern Washington. Pacific Northwest SETAC Annual Meeting,

Spokane, WA.

Sorensen TM, and Sofield RM. 2013. Silver Concentration Detection with modified Environmental

Factors Using Ion Selective Electrodes. Pacific Northwest SETAC Annual Meeting, Spokane, WA.

Eckard SM and Sofield RM. 2013. Analysis of Pollutants in the High Alpine Aquatic Systems of the

Cordillera Blanco Mountain Range of Central Peru. Pacific Northwest SETAC Annual Meeting,

Spokane, WA.

Sofield RM, Wagner B, Sigg L, and Behra R. 2012. Interactions of Humic and Fulvic Acids with Silver

Nanoparticles and the Resultant Toxicity to Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. SETAC North America

Meeting, Long Beach, CA.

Combs R, Murdock C, and Sofield RM. 2012. The Influence of Capping Agent, Ion Concentration, and

Humic Acids on the Toxicity of Silver Engineered Nanoparticles. SETAC North America Meeting,

Long Beach, CA.

Crowell T, Murdock C, Ford J, and Sofield RM. 2012. Modifying Effects of Temperature on Metal

Toxicity to Lemna turionifera. SETAC North America Meeting, Long Beach, CA.

Ruth M. Sofield

ruth.sofield@wwu.edu

Gibson AJ*, and Sofield RM. 2012. Acute and Chronic Toxicity of Ag Nanoparticles to Daphnia

magna through Aquatic and Ingestion Routes of Exposure. SETAC North America Meeting, Long

Beach, CA.

Lowery G*, Patmont E, and Sofield RM. 2012. Modeling Bioaccumulation of Contaminants in Puget

Sound: An Analysis of Site-Specific Parameters. SETAC North America Meeting, Long Beach, CA.

Ragsdale R, Sofield R, Bousquet T, Streblow B, Cook D, Stratton S, Ikoma J, and Finders C. 2012.

Evaluating the Contribution to Toxicity of Weak Black Liquor in Bleached Kraft Pulp Mill Effluents.

SETAC North America Meeting, Long Beach, CA.

Stiles J, and Sofield RM. 2012. An Analysis of the Risks and Benefits of Fish Consumption in the

Pacific Northwest. SETAC North America Meeting, Long Beach, CA.

Sigg L, Piccapietra P, Lindauer U, Odzak N, Sofield R, and Behra R. 2012. Silver Nanoparticle

Dissolution and Ag Speciation as Key Parameters for Toxicity of AgNP to Algae. 6th SETAC

World Congress / SETAC Europe 22nd Annual Meeting, Berlin, Germany.

Combs RD, Murdock CL, and Sofield RM. 2012. Toxicity of Silver Nanoparticles with Three Capping

Agents (PVP, Citrate, and CO3): An Evaluation of Ionic versus Total Silver. Pacific Northwest

SETAC Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC.

Ford JM*, Crowell TM, and Sofield RM. 2012. Influence of Temperature on Heavy Metal Toxicity to

Lemna turionifera. Pacific Northwest SETAC Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC.

Wood D, Bergmann A, Combs RD, Sofield RM, and Church B. 2012. Contamination and Toxicity of

Snowpack Collected from Snowmobile Recreation Areas. Pacific Northwest SETAC Annual

Meeting, Vancouver, BC.

Heimbigner D*, and Sofield RM. 2010. Fungal Growth Inhibition Bioassay Using Silver Nanoparticles.

SETAC North America Annual Meeting, Portland, OR.

Church B, and Sofield RM. 2010. Ability of the white rot fungus Pleurotus ostreatus to degrade

benzo[a]pyrene under variable surfactant amendment regimes. SETAC North America Annual

Meeting, Portland, OR.

Ferguson M, and Sofield RM. 2010. Evaluating the Partitioning of Silver Nanoparticles in Aqueous

Media Using the Freshwater Alage Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata. Pacific Northwest SETAC

Annual Meeting, Port Towsend, WA.

Duncanson E, and Sofield RM. 2010. Community Level Effects on Benthic Macroinvertebrates from

Exposure to Metals in Mine Impacted Creeks in Idaho. Pacific Northwest SETAC Annual Meeting,

Port Towsend, WA.

Smith KS, Ranville JF, Diedrich DJ, McKnight DM, and Sofield RM. 2010. Influence of Organic-

Matter Fractionation by Natural Iron Nanoparticles on Copper Speciation and Aquatic Copper

Toxicity. American Chemical Society Spring 2010 National Meeting and Exposition. San Fancisco,

CA. Abstract Submitted.

Smith KS, Ranville JF, Diedrich DJ, McKnight DM, Sofield RM. 2010. Influence of Dissolved

Organic Matter in Determining Aquatic Copper Toxicity in Iron-Rich Environments. Seventh

National Monitoring Conference National Water Quality Monitoring Council (NWQMC), Denver,

CO. Abstract Submitted.

Smith KS, Ranville JF, Diedrich DJ, McKnight DM, Harper RM. 2009. Consideration of Iron-Organic

Matter Interactions when Predicting Aquatic Toxicity of Copper in Mineralized Areas. 8th ICARD

(International Conference on Acid Rock Drainage), Skellefteå, Sweden.

Honeyman BD, Tinnacher R, Diaz A, Kantar C, Harper R, Gillow J. 2009. Biogeochemistry of Pu

Transport. American Chemical Society Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT.

Plante J, Bollinger C, Lenaker P, Harper RM. 2008. Development of a Benthic Index to Assess Metals

Contamination Associated with Mining Waste in Canyon Creek (Coeur d’ Alene). Pacific Northwest

SETAC Annual Meeting, Corvalis, OR.

Ruth M. Sofield

ruth.sofield@wwu.edu

Fortner JC*, Harper RM, Sternberg D. 2008. Shedding Light on Toxicity Testing – UV Light and

PAH-Contaminated Groundwater. Pacific Northwest SETAC Annual Meeting, Corvalis, OR.

Fortner JC, Harper RM, Sternberg D. 2007. Using WET Test Methods to Detect Phototoxic Effects in

PAH-Contaminated Groundwater. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC)

28th Annual North America Meeting, Milwaukee, WI.

Honeyman B, Harper R, Kantar C, Moran P. 2007. The Complexation of U(Vi), Pu(Iv) and Np(V)

With Natural Organic Ligands Using the Affinity Distribution Approach. Migration 2007, 11th

Conference. Munich, Germany.

Harper R, Bollinger C. 2007. Evaluating the Effects of Metal Contamination on Aquatic Environments

using Laboratory Assays, Field Assessments, and Chemical Models. Invited talk to Joint Seminar on

Environmental Science and Disaster Mitigation 2007, Muroran, Hokkaido, Japan.

Fortner JC, Harper RM, Sternberg D. 2007. Phototoxicity in Whole Effluent Toxicity Testing:

Lighting Considerations. Pacific Northwest SETAC Annual Meeting, Port Townsend, WA.

Stoddard JL, Harper RM. 2007. Effects of Multi-Generational Acclimation on the Toxicity of Copper,

Cadmium, and Zinc to Daphnia magna. Pacific Northwest SETAC Annual Meeting, Port Townsend,

WA.

Bollinger C, Harper R. 2007. Metal Speciation and Toxicity in Upper Columbia River and the

Tributaries along the U.S. – Canadian Border using the Biotic Ligand Model and VMINTEQ.

Pacific Northwest SETAC Annual Meeting, Port Townsend, WA.

Bollinger C, Harper R. 2006. Assessment of Metal Speciation and Toxicity in Upper Columbia River

and the Tributaries along the U.S. – Canadian Border using the Biotic Ligand Model and VMINTEQ.

33rd Annual Aquatic Toxicity Workshop, Jasper, AB, Canada.

Bollinger C, Harper R. 2006. Population and Community Level Effects of Macroinvertebrates in

Mining Impacted Streams. SETAC Europe 16th Annual Meeting, The Hague, The Netherlands.

Harper-Arabie, RM. 2005. Environmental Toxicology: Metals, Genes, Enzymes, and Size. Invited

talk presented to the Biology Department, University of Aveiro, Portugal.

Diedrich D, Ranville J, Ross P, Harper-Arabie R, Brinkman S, Hoff D, and Wall D. Zinc toxicity to

Brown Trout of various chronological ages and stages of acclimation. Society of Environmental

Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) 26th Annual North America Meeting, Baltimore, MD 2005.

Bollinger C, Harper-Arabie R. 2005. AFLP analysis of Hyalella azteca collected from metals

contaminated sediments. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) 26th

Annual North America Meeting, Baltimore, MD.

Diedrich DJ, Ranville, JF, Ross PE, Harper-Arabie, RM. 2005. Zinc Toxicity to Brown Trout of

Various Chronological Ages. Pacific Northwest SETAC Annual Meeting, Port Townsend, WA.

Diedrich DJ*, Brinkman S, Ranville,JF, Ross,PE, Harper-Arabie RM, Hoff DJ, Wall DV. 2005. The

Effects of Chronological Age on the Toxicity of Zinc to Brown Trout (Salmo trutta). Rocky

Mountain SETAC Annual Meeting, Leadville, CO.

Harp AM, and Harper-Arabie RM. 2004. Effects of Water Chemistry on Metal- Metal Interaction in

Daphnia magna. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) 25th Annual North

America Meeting, Portland, OR.

Harper-Arabie RM, and Landis WG. 2004. Environmental Toxicology at Western Washington

University. Invited speaker at SETAC 25rd Annual North America Meeting, Portland, OR.

Harper-Arabie RM, Hung CC, Buckley P, and Honeyman BD. 2004. Interactions of Microbial

Exopolysaccharides with Plutonium in the Subsurface Environment. Pacific NorthWest SETAC

Annual Meeting, Port Townsend, WA.

Martins N, Harper-Arabie RM, Lopes I, Ross PE, and Ribeiro R. 2003. Adaptation of Starch Gel

Electrophoresis Techniques for Allozyme Analysis in Two Natural Populations of D. longispina. 5th

Iberian Congress and 2nd Iberoamerican on Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Annual

Meeting, Porto, Portugal.

Ruth M. Sofield

ruth.sofield@wwu.edu

Honeyman BD, Harper-Arabie RM, Francis AJ, Gillow JG, Dodge CJ, Santschi PH, and Hung CC.

Plutonium Organic Complexes in the Environment: Stability and Biodegradation. 2003. Migration

Conference, Korea.

Harper-Arabie R. M., Honeyman B. D. 2003. Effects of Organic Ligands on Uranium Speciation and

Implications to Microbial Stabilization of Uranium. Conference Proceedings. Uranium

Geochemistry 2003 Conference. Nancy, France.

Harper-Arabie RM, Fulton M, Wirth EF, and Ross PE. 2002. Reproductive Effects of Metals

Exposure to Palaemonetes pugio: Influence of Genetics. SETAC 23rd Annual North America

Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT.

Manock JJ, Wells PG, Owen RJ, Depledge ME, and Harper-Arabie RM. 2002. Marine Ecotoxicology

Course at the Bermuda Biological Station for Research (1978-2002). SETAC 23rd Annual North

America Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT.

Smith KS, Harper-Arabie RM, and Ross PE. 2002. Toxicity of Mine-Waste Leachates to Aquatic

Organisms as a Function of pH and Trace-Metal Concentrations. Geological Society of America

Annual Meeting, Denver, CO.

Harper-Arabie RM, Wirth EF, Fulton M, and Ross PE. 2002. Reproductive Effects of In situ

Chromium Exposure to Palaemonetes pugio (grass shrimp). SETAC, Europe 12th Annual Meeting,

Vienna, Austria.

Harper-Arabie RM, Ross PE, and Wirth EF. 2001. Genetic Basis of Tolerance in Palaemonetes pugio

(grass shrimp) exposed to endosulfan, chromium, and fluoranthene. SETAC 22nd Annual North

America Meeting, Baltimore, MD.

Harper-Arabie RM, Smith KS, and Ross PE. 2001. Toxicity of Metal Laden Leachate from Mining

Waste Dumps to Daphnia magna and Vibrio fischeri. SETAC 22nd Annual North America Meeting,

Baltimore, MD.

Harper-Arabie RM, Ross PE, and Wirth EF. 2001. Genetically Based Tolerance to Toxicant Exposure

in Palaemonetes pugio (grass shrimp). Rocky Mountain SETAC Chapter Meeting, Denver, CO.

Harper-Arabie RM, and Kolm KE. 1999. A Hydrologic Analysis of Wetlands in the Southern Rocky

Mountains of Colorado. American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, CA.

Kolm KE, Glover KC, Harper-Arabie RM, and Pavlik MC. 1999. Relating Reduction-Oxidation

Chemistry of Wetlands to Variations in Hydrogeomorphic, Geochemical and Biological Structure,

and Position in the Landscape. American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, CA.

Harper-Arabie RM and Kolm KE. 1998. An Integrated Approach to Wetlands Characterization in

Determining Hydrologic Functions. The First International Symposium on Integrated Technical

Approached to Site Characterization, Argonne National Laboratory, IL.

Glover KC, Kolm KE, Harper-Arabie RM, and Emerick JC. 1998. Determining hydrogeologic

controls on a mountain wetland ecosystem using integrated ground water and water quality

characterization, modeling, and sensitivity analysis. Geological Society of America Abstracts with

Programs, vol. 30 no 7.

Harper-Arabie RM, and Kolm KE. 1998. A stepwise, Integrated Hydrogeomorphic Approach for the

Classification of Wetlands and Assessment of Wetland Hydrological Function in the Southern Rocky

Mountains of Colorado. Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, Toronto, Canada.

Harper-Arabie RM, and Kolm KE. 1997. The Pennsylvanian Mine Wetland: A Case Study Using an

Integrated, Multidisciplinary Approach to Characterize Wetland Ecosystem Structure, Hydrology,

and Biogeochemistry. Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT.

Ruth M. Sofield

ruth.sofield@wwu.edu

FUNDING AWARDED

Science and the Swinomish (project partner). Awarded 2016, renewed in 2018. A goal of the project

is to develop curriculum in K-12 schools that is both scientifically robust and culturally relevant. My role

is to work with teachers in the Concrete and La Conner school districts to ensure the goal is achieved.

USAID, subcontracted through Western Kentucky University. Awarded 2014. Development of a

water quality sampling program for the Huascaran National Park, Peru.

Washington Department of Ecology. Awarded 2011 and Renewed in 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2019.

Development of an Undergraduate Program on Contaminated Sites Cleanup Under MTCA in

Washington State. Title of Program at WWU is Science and Management of Contaminated Sites

(SMoCS).

Winter Wildlands. Awarded 2011 and 2012. Investigation of Snowmobile Pollutants in Snow.

Port of Anacortes, WA. Awarded 2010. Investigation of Remediation Efforts in a Marine System.

Department of Ecology, WA, Research Grant. Awarded 2006. Groundwater Study of R. G. Haley and

Little Squalicum Creek.

Border Policy Research Institute, Research Grant. Awarded 2006. Trans-Boundary Pollution in the

Okanagan Regions of B.C. and the U.S.

Research Advisory Committee, WWU 2005 Summer Research Grant. Awarded 11/10/04, AFLP

Technique Development and Assessment in Genetic Toxicology.

Li-COR Biosciences 4300L DNA Analyzer Equipment Grant. Awarded 8/17/04. Integration of

Genomic Analysis with the Environmental Sciences: Equipment for Experiential Learning at the Huxley

College of the Environment.

Research Advisory Committee, WWU Grant in Aid Request. Awarded 7/23/04. Joint Action of

Metals in the Environment: Toxicity to Daphnia magna.

CURRENT STUDENT/AFFILIATE RESEARCH AT WWU

1. Sage Ince, Kassidy Haluska, Katie Knaub, Madison Pongon, and Sarah Vanlandingham

(Huxley College BS Students) and Yaowalak Pomkhaow and Kamonchanok Pongkhaow (Student

Interns from the Department of Environmental Engineering, Kasetsart University, Thailand),

Measuring Accumulated Microplastics from Marine Water, Freshwater, and Air Using Biota.

2. Finn O’Hea, Spatial Relationship Between Impervious Surfaces and Accumulated Chemicals in

Salish Sea Seaweeds

3. Barbara Cameron, Identification of Macroinvertebrates Collected in High Mountain Streams, Peru.

4. Priya Seetharaman, Huxley College BS Student, SEM Imaging and Elemental Mapping of Snow

Algae.

5. Katie Benoit, Huxley College BS Student, Snow Chemistry from Bagley Lakes, Mt. Baker,

Washington.

6. Allie Johnson, Huxley College MS Student, Microplastic Toxicity to Mysids Using Field Aged

Microplastics.

7. Jeff Pratt, Huxley College MS Student, Meta-analysis of Water Quality in Washington State Lakes.

8. Adam Crispin, Huxley College MS Student (co-advisor, Leo Bodensteiner primary advisor), Use of

Passive Samplers in High Mountain Lakes to Inform Amphibian Developmental Toxicity Testing

Following FETAX Guidelines.

Ruth M. Sofield

ruth.sofield@wwu.edu

COMPLETED STUDENT THESIS RESEARCH AT WWU

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

1. Julien Bonnard and Breanne Dedera, Huxley College BS students, graduated Summer 2019.

Passive Sampler Effectiveness in Freshwater Systems with Copper, Silver and Zinc in the

Presence of NOM.

2. Riley Tauer, Huxley College BS student, graduated Spring 2019. SEM Imaging and Elemental

Mapping of Snow Algae.

3. Nicolette Hernandez-Kaempf, completed Spring 2019. UV-Vis of Silver Nanoparticles in

Different Freshwater Media.

4. Julien Bonnard, Ethan Brown, Ava Gempler, Allie Johnson, Hannah Jones, Josh Kirby,

and William Jensen, Huxley College BS students, graduated Summer 2019, Spring 2019,

current, Spring 2018, Winter 2019, Summer 2018, and Spring 2019. Effects or Water Hardness

on Aluminum, Copper, Silver, and Zinc Sorption to Passive Samplers.

5. Winston Booth and Austin Faccone, Huxley College BS students, graduated Spring 2018 and

Fall 2017. Physical Characteristics of Silver Nanoparticles in Different Freshwater Media.

6. Allie Johnson, Spring 2018. Huxley College BS student. Metals Analysis in Sequential

Extractions of Lichens Deployed in Urban Areas.

7. Jared Miller, Spring 2018. Development of Toxicity Tests with Ramalina farinacea: Test

Procedures and Effects Endpoints.

8. Meredith Bee, Colton Charlton, Eddie Kramarevsky, Eric Lawrence, Ian Moran, Tia

Norris, and Amanda Smith, Huxley College BS students, graduated Summer 2018, Fall 2016,

Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Spring 2018, Summer 2018, and Spring 2017. Effects of Metals

Mixtures on Lactuca sativa Early Growth and Bioaccumulation.

9. Miranda Aiken and Kaitlyn Spellman, Huxley College BS students, graduated Fall 2016 and

Summer 2016. Silver Nanoparticle Toxicity and Characterization.

10. Ben Maki, Huxley College BS student, graduated Fall 2015. Senior Project/Thesis. Effects of

Abiotic and Biotic Factors on Arsenic Bioavailability and Mobility in Soils. Supported by Scott

Ford and Kathryn Hodges (Huxley BS students).

11. Ryan Dewitt and Justin Meyer, Huxley College BS students, graduated Summer 2015 and Fall

2015. Senior Project/Thesis. Lichens as Bioindicators of Air Pollution in a Railway Corridor.

Supported by Daniel Cheney, Jeff Dewitt, Katy Donkers, and Ariana Dionisio (Huxley BS

students).

12. Jordi Johnson and Amber Kelley, Huxley College BS students, graduated Spring 2014. Senior

Project/Thesis: Lichen Response to Air Pollution in a Railway Corridor.

13. Chris San, Huxley College BS student, graduated Spring 2014. Senior Project/Thesis: Acute

Toxicity of Citrate coated Ag Nanoparticles to Algae with Changing Environmental Conditions.

Supported by Courtney Wang, Ethan Tracy (Huxley College BS students) and Keenan

Komoto (Chemistry BS student).

14. Tony Gibson, Huxley College BS student, graduated Spring 2013. Senior Project/Thesis:

Influence of Environmental Conditions on the Acute Toxicity of Silver Nanoparticles to Daphnia

magna.

Ruth M. Sofield

ruth.sofield@wwu.edu

15. Julie Fix, Huxley College BS student, graduated Spring 2013. Senior Project/Thesis:

Investigation of Biochemical Responses of Lichens to Air Pollutants Originating from trains in

Northwestern Washington.

16. Geoff Lowery, Huxley College BS student, graduated Winter 2013. Senior Project/Thesis:

Modeling Bioaccumulation of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Puget Sound: An Analysis of Site-

Specific Parameters.

17. Thea Crowell and Craig Murdock, graduated Summer 2012. Huxley College BS students.

Senior Project/Thesis: Effects of Temperature on Metal Toxicity to Lemna turionifera.

Supported by Jacqui Ford (Huxley College BS).

18. David Wood, Huxley College BS student, graduated Spring 2012. Senior Project/Thesis:

Pollutants and Toxicity in Snow Collected from Snowmobile Recreation Areas. Funded by

Winter Wildlands Alliance.

19. Nick Galvin, Huxley College BS student, graduated Spring 2011. Senior Project/Thesis:

Quantifying the Activity of Pleurotus ostreatus Ligninolytic Enzymes in the Presence of

Benzo[a]pyrene and Nonionic Surfactants. Funded by the Port of Anacortes.

20. Siobhan Sloan-Evans, Huxley College BS student, graduated Winter 2011. Senior

Project/Thesis: A Sediment Quality Triad Assessment of Remediation at a Model Toxics Control

Act (MTCA) Cleanup Site. Funded by the Port of Anacortes.

21. Brian Church, Huxley College BS student, graduated Fall, 2010. Senior Project/Thesis: Ability

of the white-rot fungus, Pleurotus ostreatus, to degrade benzo[a]pyrene under variable nonionic

surfactant amendment regimes. Funded by the Port of Anacortes.

22. Emily Duncanson, Huxley College BS student, graduated Fall 2010. Senior Project/Thesis:

Community Level Effects on Benthic Macroinvertebrates in Mine Impacted Streams in Coeur

d’Alene, Idaho.

23. Daniel Heimbigner, Huxley College BS student, graduated Fall, 2010. Senior Project/Thesis:

A Novel Fungal Growth Inhibition Bioassay and Effects of Suwannee River Humic Acid on

Nanosilver Toxicity. Funded by Research and Creative Opportunities for Undergraduates grant,

WWU.

24. Kate Foster, Huxley College BS student, graduated Summer, 2010. Senior Project/Thesis: The

Effects of Exposure to Silver Nanoparticles and Humic Acid on Mung Beans (Vigna radiata).

25. James Plante, Huxley College BS student, graduated Summer, 2008. Senior Project/Thesis:

Benthic Invertebrate Metal Exposure and Community-Level Effects Associated with Mining

Waste in Canyon Creek (Coeur d’Alene).

26. Jamey Stoddard, Huxley College BS student, graduated Winter, 2007. Senior Project/Thesis:

Investigation of Adaptation in Daphnia magna Populations Exposed to Metals.

Ruth M. Sofield

ruth.sofield@wwu.edu

GRADUATE STUDENTS

1. Claire Walli, Huxley College MS Student, graduated Spring, 2019. Impacts of Major Freshwater

Ions on the Acute Toxicity and Chemical Behavior of Silver Nanoparticles.

2. Gunnar Guddal, Huxley College MS Student, graduated Fall 2018. Characterization of

Particulate Matter Accumulated on Ramalina farinacea in the Seattle Area Using Semi-

Automated Electron Microscopy.

3. Ed Bain, Huxley College MS Student, graduated Summer 2017. An Investigation of Acid Rock

Drainage in Glacial Streams Through Multivariate Exploratory Analysis and the Biotic Ligand

Model in the Cordillera Blanca, Peru.

4. Lindsay Wallis, Huxley College MS student, graduated Fall 2016. Spatial Variability of Snow

Chemistry of High Altitude Glaciers in the Peruvian Andes.

5. George Burgess, Huxley College MS student, graduated Spring 2015. Effects of Heavy Metals

on Benthic Macroinvertebrates in the Cordillera Blanca, Peru.

6. Renee Ragsdale, Huxley College MS student, graduated Fall 2011. Evaluating the Contribution

to Toxicity of Weak Black Liquor in Pulp Mill Effluents. Funded by NCASI.

7. Matt Ferguson, Huxley College MS student, graduated Fall 2011. The Influence of Humic Acid

and Water Hardness on the Partitioning of Silver Ions and Nanoparticles Between Fresh Water

and Freshwater Algae.

8. Jason Fortner, Huxley College MS, graduated Spring, 2009. Application of Whole Effluent

Toxicity test methods to groundwater in Western Washington. Illuminating Whole Effluent

Toxicity Testing: Ultraviolet Radiation, Phototoxicity, and PAH-Contaminated Groundwater.

Funded by Washington Department of Ecology. http://content.wwu.edu/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/theses&CISOPTR=314&CISOBOX=1&REC

=10

9. Catherine Bollinger, Huxley College MS, graduated Winter, 2008. Modeling Metal Speciation

and Toxicity in the Columbia River and its Tributaries, British Columbia and Washington.

Funded by the Border Policy Research Institute, Western Washington University.

10. Daniel Diedrich, Huxley College MS, graduated Spring, 2007. The Effects of Chronological

Age and Size in Juvenile Brown Trout Exposed to Zinc. Funded by Region VIII USEPA.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

AAAS Communicating Science Workshop, 2017

Western Washington University

Co-organized and attended.

Community Engagement Fellow, 2016 - 2017

Western Washington University, http://www.cefellows.org/#!fellows/c173w

Passive Sampling Short Course, 2015

PNW-SETAC Annual Chapter Meeting

C-Core (Change at the Core), 2014-2015

Western Washington University

Selected to participate in this NSF funded project. C-Core brings together faculty from Western

Washington University, Whatcom Community College, and Skagit Valley College to help

Ruth M. Sofield

ruth.sofield@wwu.edu

transform undergraduate STEM education at our institutions to reflect a more active, student-

centered approach to learning.

SCEWest PNW Nodal Meeting, November 2013

Seattle University

Workshops on learner-centered education techniques.

SENCER (Science Education for New Civic Engagements and Responsibility) Summer Institute,

August 2013

Santa Clara, CA

Pacific Northwest representative. Attended several workshops on learner-centered education.

http://www.sencer.net/About/sencerideals.cfm

SCEWest PNW Nodal Meeting, March 2013

Seattle University

Invited member from WWU. Goal is to bring together faculty in the Pacific Northwest region who

incorporate issues of civic importance into their courses. Inaugural meeting.

http://www.ncsce.net/Initiatives/SCEWestNet.cfm .

2006 International Canadian Studies Institute – Faculty Fellow, July 18 – 30, 2006

Sponsored by the Pacific Northwest Canadian Studies Consortium and Canadian Consulate General,

Seattle.

PEEL Workshop, July 20, 2005

Sponsored by Center for Instructional Innovation, WWU

Incorporating Diversity and Intercultural Awareness into Learner-Centered Practices.

NSF National Dissemination Workshop, June 23 - 27, 2005

Washington State University, Pullman, WA

New Approaches and Techniques for Teaching Science: Addressing Environmental Problems to

Stimulate Undergraduate Learning.

Microsatellite/AFLP course, June 7-9, 2005

Li-Cor Biosciences, Lincoln NE

Round-table Discussion - Faculty Participant, May 17, 2005

Sponsored (and invited) by WWU Writing Center

From Groan to Grin: Cultivating Joyful Engagement in Writing

NSF Regional Grants Conference, April 4-5, 2005

Sponsored by NSF and MESA, Oakland, CA

Fundamentals of College Teaching, 2002

Colorado School of Mines Graduate Level Course.

Course included discussion of learning styles, active learning principles and methods, cooperative

learning principles and methods, and assessment of learning.

PHREEQC Modeling: The Basics, 2002

International Ground Water Modeling Center Short Course, Golden CO.

A computer program for speciation, batch-reaction, one-dimensional transport, and inverse geochemical

calculations.

The Bermuda Biological Station for Research, 2000

Marine Ecotoxicology Summer Course.

Ruth M. Sofield

ruth.sofield@wwu.edu

Conducted an ecological risk assessment of contaminated areas in Bermuda. Course involved sample

collection, chemical analysis of sediment and water, and bioassays such as the sea urchin (Lytechinus

variegatus) embryo toxicity test, and acetylcholine esterase inhibition.

Integrated Watershed Approaches: TMDLs or Tylenol PM, 2000

Annual Symposium.

The Colorado Section of the American Water Resources Association.

Introduction to Pesticide Probabilistic Ecological Risk Assessment, 1999

Short Course.

Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 1999 – present

Society of Wetland Scientists, 1998 – 2004

American Chemical Society, 2002 – present

Society of Women Engineers, 2000 – 2003

Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society, 2004 – 2012

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

Book Proposal Reviews - One or More Reviews for the Following Publishers: College Publishing,

Island Press, Elsevier, John Wiley and Sons.

Funding Reviews

EPA Peer Reviewer, Addressing Environmental Concerns in Vieques, Puerto Rico Through

Community Participatory Research, 2019

EPA STAR Grants Reviewer, 2012

North Pacific Research Board (NPRB) Technical Peer Reviewer, 2012 and 2013

International Science and Technology Center U.S. Civilian Research and Development

Foundation Reviewer, 2005

NSF Biogeosciences Program Proposal Reviewer, 2004

NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program Reviewer, 2008, 2009, 2012 and 2013

NSF Population Dynamics Program Proposal Reviewer, 2007

Manuscript Reviews - One or More Reviews for the Following Journals: Air, Soil and Water Research;

Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology; BioMed Research International;

Chemosphere; Environmental & Engineering Geoscience; Environmental Pollution;

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; IEAM (Integrated Environmental Assessment and

Management); Georgia Journal of Science; Journal of Sea Research; Northwest Science; Risk

Analysis; Science of the Total Environment; Soil and Sediment Contamination an International

Journal.

Technical Reviews

Technical Reviewer for Facing the Future: Global Sustainability Curriculum and Teacher PD.

Blowing in the Wind, A Lesson Plan for high school students about the Hanford Nuclear

Reservation with emphasis on bioaccumulation and biomagnification.

Technical Reviewer for PacRim Coal, LP in coordination with the Alaska Department of

Environmental Conservation. A Review for the Methodology Used to Derive Site Specific

Water Quality Criteria for Al, Cu, and Zn in the Chuit River, Alaska. 2014

Technical Reviewer for Teck Cominco Metals, Ltd. Terrestrial risk modeling Level of

Refinement 3, 2006 – 2007

Technical Reviewer for Teck Cominco Metals, Ltd. Aquatic Ecological Risk Assessment, 2008

Ruth M. Sofield

ruth.sofield@wwu.edu

Boards and Advisory Committees

Member of the Stakeholder & Tribal Advisory Group for the Model Toxics Control Act Cleanup

Rule Update, Chapter 173-340 WAC. 2019 - present

Puget Sound Partnership Science Panel. 2018 – present

PNW-SETAC board, Vice-President, President, Past President, 2019-2021

International Coordinating Committee for the19th International Symposium on Toxicity

Assessment 19 (ISTA19), Thessaloniki, Greece.

Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management Editorial Board Member. 2018

International Coordinating Committee for the18th International Symposium on Toxicity

Assessment 18 (ISTA18), Limeira, Brazil.

PNW-SETAC board, Academia At-Large representative, 2011 – 2016

Standard Methods Committee Appointment, 2008 – present

Capital Regional District Marine Monitoring Advisory Group (British Columbia), 2008 – 2010,

2013 - present

SETAC Science Sub-Committee Member and Abstract Review Committee for North America

National Meeting, 2010

Scientific Technical Services University Advisory Committee (WWU), 2005 – 2009

University and College Committees

Environmental Science Department Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee Member (Huxley

College), 2019 – present

Huxley College Director of Watershed Studies Search Committee (Huxley College), 2018-2019

Chair of University Graduate Council (WWU), 2018-2019

Chair of Huxley Environmental Chemistry and Global Change Faculty Search (Huxley College),

2017-2018

Co-Chair of University Graduate Council (WWU), 2017 – 2018

Sub-committee to Graduate Council on Graduate Student Learning Outcomes (WWU), 2015 -

2017

Strategic Planning for Scientific Technical Services Ad-hoc Committee (WWU), 2015 - 2016

Chair of Ad-hoc Committee to Develop Hiring Department Policy for Non-Tenure Track

Research Faculty (Huxley College, Environmental Sciences Department), 2014

Huxley College Graduate/Internship Coordinator Search Committee (Huxley College), 2013-

2014

Chair of Huxley on the Peninsula Environmental Sciences Faculty Search (Huxley College),

2013-2014

Dean of Fairhaven College Search Committee (WWU), 2012-2013

Graduate Council Member (WWU), 2013 – present

Chair of WWU Chemistry Graduate Program Review Committee (WWU), 2013

Undergraduate Student Learning Outcomes Ad-hoc Committee Member (Huxley College,

Environmental Sciences Department), 2012 - 2014

Environmental Sciences Graduate Program Adviser (Huxley College), 2012 - 2018

Environmental Sciences Graduate Program Committee Chair (Huxley College), 2012-2018

Dean of Huxley College Search Committee (WWU), 2012

Chair of Curriculum Committee (Huxley College), 2011 – 2012

Policy Committee (Huxley College), 2011 – 2012

Scholar’s Week University Committee (WWU), 2005 – 2012

Environmental Sciences Chair Nomination Committee (Huxley College), 2012

Community Affairs Committee (Huxley College), 2007 – 2010

Graduate Program Committee (Huxley College) 2005 – 2007

Ruth M. Sofield

ruth.sofield@wwu.edu

Curriculum Committee Member (Huxley College) 2003 – 2005

Meetings/Conferences

Program Committee Co-Chair, Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry North

America Conference, Portland, OR, 2021.

Session Co-Chair, Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference, The Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

of the Salish Sea Ecosystem, Vancouver, BC, 2020.

Session Co-Chair, Novel Methods of Toxicity Assessment, 19th International Symposium on

Toxicity Assessment (ISTA19), Thessaloniki, Greece, 2019.

Session Chair, Contaminants of Concern, PNW-SETAC Annual Meeting, 2019.

Session Chair, Contaminated Sites Technical & Regulatory Sessions, PNWIS AWMA Annual

Meeting, 2016.

Session Co-Chair, The Future Scientists of SETAC: Conveying Scientific Information in the

Classroom, SETAC NA Annual Meeting, 2015.

Organizer and Co-chair of the 17th International Symposium on Toxicity Assessment (ISTA17),

Bellingham WA, 2015.

Discussion Leader on the C.R.E.A.T.E. Method for Teaching Students How to Read Primary

Literature, Pacific Northwest Node of SCEWestNet Meeting, Seattle University 2013

Student Poster and Presentation Organizer, PNW-SETAC Annual Meeting 2013, 2014

Session Chair, Metals Toxicity and Puget Sound Issues, PNW-SETAC Annual Meeting, 2010

Student Poster and Presentation Judge, PNW-SETAC Annual Meeting, 2010

Workshop participant for West Coast Marine Research and Information Plan being developed by

California, Oregon and Washington Sea Grant Program, 2007

Session Chair, Uranium Geochemistry Session, Uranium Geochemistry 2003 Conference, Nancy,

France

Other Professional Service

Issue Editor, Advances in Toxicity Assessment. 2017. Environmental Science and Pollution

Research. 24(36): 1614-7499. External Peer Review for Faculty Promotion Application, Michigan Technological University,

2017

External Peer Review for University of South Florida, St. Petersburg Environmental Science,

Policy and Geography Graduate Program

External Peer Review for Faculty Promotion Application, Towson University, 2013

Huxley College Air and Waste Management Environmental Sciences Faculty Mentor, 2004 –

2010, 2011 - 2014

Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) advisor, Shannon Point Marine Center,

Anacortes, WA, 2006

Sigma Xi National Delegate, WWU Chapter Representative, Seattle, 2005

Sigma Xi: The Scientific Research Society, WWU Chapter President, 2005 – 2006, 2008-2010,

2011 - 2012

Sigma Xi: The Scientific Research Society, WWU Chapter President Elect, 2003 – 2005, 2006 –

2008

TEACHING - COURSES DEVELOPED AND TAUGHT

Scientific Communication Workshop. Invited Instructor at PNW-SETAC Annual Meeting, 2018.

Art and Science of Cheesemaking, 4 credits, WWU, Summer 2015, 2017.

Science Communication (ESCI 499N), 1 credit, WWU, Winter, 2014.

Science and Management of Contaminated Sites (SMoCS), 3 classes (ESCI 497L, ESCI 497M, and ESCI

497N), 5 credits total (1, 1, and 3, respectively), Winter and Spring, 2012 - 2019. Permanent

classes in 2015 with course numbers 452 (1 credit), 453 (3 credits), and 454 (3 credits).

Ruth M. Sofield

ruth.sofield@wwu.edu

Research of a MTCA Clean-Up Site (ESCI 497b), 2 credits, WWU, Spring, 2010.

Environmental Risk Assessment (ESCI 490), 4 credits, WWU, Spring, 2009.

Chronic Effects and Toxicity of Contaminants to Organisms in Aquatic and Marine Systems

Case Studies in Environmental Toxicology (ETOX 420). 1 Day workshop for Northwest

Environmental Training Center, Seattle, WA. July 17, 2008.

Introduction to Aquatic Toxicology (ETOX 410). Two Day Workshop for Northwest Environmental

Training Center, Seattle, WA. Taught multiple times between 2007 and 2015.

Invited instructor for “Metal as Environmental Stressors: Ecotoxicology and Risk Assessment” short

course, University of Coimbra, Portugal May 29 - June 2, 2006.

Introduction to Huxley College (ESCI 306), 1 credit. WWU, Winter 2006.

Pollution in the Environment. Academy for Lifelong Learning, Western Washington University (WWU).

Part 1, Jan 2005 and Part 2, Oct 2005.

Contaminant Movement in the Environment (Fate and Transport) (ESCI 497/ESCI 460), 4 credits.

WWU, Spring 2004 & Winter 2005 - 2010.

Contaminant Movement in the Environment Lab. (ESCI 497G), 1 credit. WWU, Spring, 2004.

Aquatic Toxicology (ESCI 459), 3 credits. WWU, Spring 2005 – 2010, 2012-2016, 2018-2019.

Environmental Toxicology I (ESCI 455/555), 4 credits. WWU, Fall 2003 – 2009, 2011-2016, 2018-

2019.

Environmental Toxicology I Laboratory (ESCI 457/557), 4/3 credits. WWU, Fall 2003 – 2009, 2011-

2016, 2018-2019.

Introduction to Environmental Toxicology (ESCI 397/ESCI 333), 4 credits. WWU, Winter 2004 and

2014-2016, 2018, Spring 2005 – 2010, 2012-2013 & Summer 2009 - 2016.

Environmental Biology (ESGN 301), 3 credits. CSM, Spring, 1996.

Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory, 3 credits. McNeese State University, All semesters Fall 1993-

Spring 1995.

HONORS

Students under my advisement:

Outstanding Graduate Poster, WWU – Scholar’s Week Graduate Symposium, 2018

Outstanding Undergraduate Poster, WWU – All College Scholar’s Week Poster Fair, 2018

Huxley College, Environmental Science Department Outstanding Environmental Applications

Experience Award, 2018

Best Graduate Student Platform Presentation, PNW SETAC, 2018 (1st Place)

Best Undergraduate Poster Presentation, PNW SETAC, 2018 (1st Place)

Best Undergraduate Platform Presentation, PNW SETAC, 2018 (1st place)

Huxley College, Environmental Science Department Outstanding Environmental Applications

Experience Award, 2016

Best Undergraduate Poster Presentation, PNW SETAC, 2015 (1st and 2nd place)

Best Undergraduate Platform Presentation, PNW SETAC, 2016 (1st place)

Outstanding Undergraduate Poster, WWU – All College Scholar’s Week Poster Fair, 2015

Best Undergraduate Poster Presentation, PNW SETAC, 2015 (2nd and 3rd place)

Huxley College, Environmental Science Department Outstanding Environmental Applications

Experience Award, 2014

Outstanding Undergraduate Poster, WWU – Sigma Xi – College of Science and Technology Scholar’s

Week Poster Fair, 2014

Best Undergraduate Poster Presentation, PNW SETAC, 2014 (1st and 2nd place)

Huxley College, Environmental Science Department Outstanding Environmental Applications

Experience Award, 2013

Best Undergraduate Poster Presentation, PNW SETAC, 2013 (1st place)

Ruth M. Sofield

ruth.sofield@wwu.edu

Outstanding Undergraduate Poster, WWU – Sigma Xi – College of Science and Technology Scholar’s

Week Poster Fair, 2013

Best Undergraduate Platform Presentations, SETAC North America, 2012 (1st and 2nd place)

Outstanding Undergraduate Poster, WWU – Sigma Xi – College of Science and Technology Scholar’s

Week Poster Fair, 2012

Research Grant Support Awarded to an Undergraduate, North Cascades Audubon Society

Best Undergraduate Poster (3rd place), PNW SETAC, 2012

Research and Sponsored Programs, Research and Creative Opportunities Grants for Undergraduate

Students, Winter 2012

Best Undergraduate Poster (3rd place), SETAC North America, 2010

Best MS Student Poster, PNW SETAC, 2010

Sigma Xi, Grants-in-Aid of Research, 2008

Best Graduate Presentation, PNW SETAC, 2008

Best Undergraduate Poster, PNW SETAC, 2008

The Environmental Challenge International, Air and Waste Management, Annual Conference and

Exhibition – 1st place (2008, 2009, 2010, 2014) and 5th (2010)

The Environmental Challenge, Air and Waste Management, Pacific Northwest International Section - 2nd

and 3rd place (2004), 1st and 5th place (2005), 1st and 2nd place (2006), 1st and 3rd (2007), 1st and 2nd

(2009), 3rd (2013), 2nd place (2016), and 1st place (2017, 2019).

Honorable mention (undergraduate), WWU – Sigma Xi – College of Science and Technology Scholar’s

Week Poster Fair, 2007

Best graduate student poster, PNW SETAC, 2007

Honorable mention (graduate), WWU Sigma Xi – College of Science and Technology Scholar’s Week

Poster Fair, 2006

Best graduate student presentation, Rocky Mountain SETAC, 2005

Sigma Xi, Grants-in-Aid of Research, 2005

Personal: Debnath Mookherjee Excellence in Teaching Award, Huxley College of the Environment, 2017

Excellence in Teaching Award, Western Washington University, 2014

Best Student Talk, Colorado School of Mines Graduate Research Fair, 2002

Best Student Poster, Colorado School of Mines Graduate Research Fair, 2001

Best Student Presentation, Rocky Mountain Regional SETAC meeting, 2001

Sigma Xi Research Grant, 2001

National Science Foundation Undergraduate and Graduate Scholarship/Research Funds, 2000-2002

C.V. Starr Foundation Scholarship, Bermuda Biological Station for Research, 2000

American Water Resources Association, Colorado Div., Rich Hebert Memorial Scholarship, 1998

Colorado Mountain Club Fellowship, 1998

Colorado Scientific Society, Edwin B. Eckel Memorial Research Grant, 1997

Edna Bailey Sussman Environmental Internship, 1996

Graduate Scholarship, McNeese State University, August 1993 - May 1995

Presidential Scholarship, West Virginia University, August 1989 - May 1993

Golden Key National Honor Society, West Virginia University, October 1991 - May 1993

Arts and Science Scholar, West Virginia University, 1991 and 1992

Beta Beta Beta National Biology Honorary, April 1991 - May 1993

Dean’s List, West Virginia University, 6 semesters

Helvetia Sophomore Honorary, West Virginia University, August 1990 - September 1991