Barnett Rattner, Ph.D.
Dr. Barnett Rattner is an ecotoxicologist at the Eastern Ecological Science Center in Laurel, MD.
He conducts hypothesis-driven laboratory and field investigations, risk assessments and scholarly evaluations on the toxicity of legacy and contemporary pollutants (industrial contaminants, metals, pesticides, petroleum crude oil) to wildlife and the environment. His current focus is on exposure and adverse effects of anticoagulant rodenticides, flame retardants and pharmaceuticals, comparative toxicology, non-target secondary poisoning associated with rodenticides, alternative testing methods, and screening-level risk assessments. Dr. Rattner actively represents the DOI as a member of the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative Methods, and serves as a special consultant to the Fish and Wildlife Service on issues related to nontoxic shot used in hunt nontoxic shot used in hunt waterfowl.
Active Projects:
- Development of data and models to evaluate the hazard and risk of anticoagulant rodenticides to non-target raptorial species
- Absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination and toxicity of neonicotinoids in seed-eating birds
- Harmful algal blooms and bird die-offs in the Chesapeake Bay: A potential link?
- Contaminant exposure and potential reproductive effects in ospreys nesting in Chesapeake and Delaware Bay
- Contaminant-related activities and synoptic reviews in support of client agencies in the Department of the Interior
- Technical assistance to the Fish and Wildlife Service on alternative shot
Accomplishments:
- Authored over 150 publications, co-edited three books (Handbook of Ecotoxicology, Ecotoxicology of Wild Mammals, Anticoagulant Rodenticides and Wildlife), and made over 175 presentations at scientific meetings, workshops and symposia.
- Compiled two widely used internet-accessible ecotoxicological databases (Contaminant Exposure and Effects—Terrestrial Vertebrates database, Biological and Ecotoxicological Characteristics of Terrestrial Vertebrate Species Residing in Estuaries).
- Serves as Terrestrial Editor of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, and as an Editorial Board member of the Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology.
Professional Experience
Ecotoxicologist and Physiologist (research scientist, section leader, deputy branch chief) Department of the Interior, FWS, NBS, and USGS (1978-present)
Adjunct Professor University of Maryland, Department of Animal and Avian Sciences & Department of Environmental Science and Technology (1988-2022)
National Research Council Post-doctoral Research Associate, National Naval Medical Center (1978)
Guest Worker, National Institute of Arthritis, Metabolism and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH (1974-1981)
Instructor and Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of Maryland, Department of Zoology (1972-1977)
Education and Certifications
B.S., University of Maryland, 1972 - Zoology
M.S., University of Maryland, 1974 - Zoology, Developmental Biology
Ph.D., University of Maryland, 1977 - Zoology, Environmental Physiology
National Research Council Postdoctoral Associateship, Naval Medical Research Institute, 1978 - Hyperbaric Physiology
Affiliations and Memberships*
Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
Society of Toxicology
The Wildlife Society
American Physiological Society
Honors and Awards
Distinguished Service Award, Department of the Interior 2018
Fellow, Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 2017
President, Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry World Council 2015
President, Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry - North America 2012
SETAC Government Service Award 2007
Science and Products
Dramatic fluctuations in liver mass and metal content of eared grebes (Podiceps nigricollis) during autumnal migration
A new database on contaminant exposure and effects in terrestrial vertebrates for natural resource managers
A new look at contamination of north Atlantic estuarine ecosystems through retrospective terrestrial vertebrate exposure and effects data
Reproduction of black-crowned night-herons related to predation and contaminants in Oregon and Washington, USA
Reproductive development in kestrel hatchlings exposed by egg injection: Different results at different ages?
Migratory bird hunting: Revised test protocol for nontoxic approval procedures for shot and shot coating; Final rule
Contaminant levels vary with body condition and migration in eared grebes
Cytochrome P450 and organochlorine contaminants in black-crowned night-herons from the Chesapeake Bay region, USA
Migratory bird hunting: Amended test protocol for nontoxic shot approval procedures for shot and shot coatings
Seasonal fluctuations in liver mass and metal content in eared grebes (Podiceps nigricollis)
Developmental effects of Arochlor 1242 in American kestrels and associated hormone concentrations
Endocrine and developmental effects of environmental contaminants in birds
Science and Products
Dramatic fluctuations in liver mass and metal content of eared grebes (Podiceps nigricollis) during autumnal migration
A new database on contaminant exposure and effects in terrestrial vertebrates for natural resource managers
A new look at contamination of north Atlantic estuarine ecosystems through retrospective terrestrial vertebrate exposure and effects data
Reproduction of black-crowned night-herons related to predation and contaminants in Oregon and Washington, USA
Reproductive development in kestrel hatchlings exposed by egg injection: Different results at different ages?
Migratory bird hunting: Revised test protocol for nontoxic approval procedures for shot and shot coating; Final rule
Contaminant levels vary with body condition and migration in eared grebes
Cytochrome P450 and organochlorine contaminants in black-crowned night-herons from the Chesapeake Bay region, USA
Migratory bird hunting: Amended test protocol for nontoxic shot approval procedures for shot and shot coatings
Seasonal fluctuations in liver mass and metal content in eared grebes (Podiceps nigricollis)
Developmental effects of Arochlor 1242 in American kestrels and associated hormone concentrations
Endocrine and developmental effects of environmental contaminants in birds
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government