Robert Joseph Griffitt, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor - Department of Coastal Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi
(228) 872-4294
cell: (228) 365-5639
fax: (228) 872-4204
joe.griffitt@usm.edu
Gulf Coast Research Laboratory
703 East Beach Drive
Ocean Springs, MS 39564
Education
- Post-doc, University of Florida, 2006-08, Nanotoxicology
- Ph.D., University of South Carolina, 2002-06, Environmental Health Sciences
- C.A.S., University of South Carolina, 2003-05, Statistics
- M.S., University of South Carolina, 2000-02, Marine Science
- B.S., UNC Wilmington, 1993-97, Marine Biology
Research Interests
The main interest of my laboratory centers around the study of the effect of anthropogenic contaminant on aquatic organisms. We focus on molecular approaches aimed at identifying the precise cellular and molecular pathways that are affected by different contaminants. Specific research projects address:
- Effects of nanoparticulate metals on marine and freshwater fish
- Application of molecular tools for assesment of ecosystem health
- Isolation and characterization of miRNA expression patterns in non-model species
Professional Experience
- 8/2008 – Present: Assistant Professor, Department of Coastal Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, Ocean Springs, MS
- 2/2006 - 7/2008: Postdoctoral Research Associate, Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Patents/Licenses
License to EcoArray -- 13,000 largemouth bass genes for microarray analysis, Nancy Denslow, David Barber, Robert J Griffitt, and Natalia Garcia-Reyero. June 2007.
Professional Affiliations
- Society of Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology (SETAC)
- Society of Toxicology
- American Association for the Advancement of Science
Professional Development
- JMP Genomics training, 2007 JMP User’s Conference, Cary, NC
- Introduction to Bioinformatics. 2005. Summer Institute of Statistical Genetics. North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
- Nematode Identification for Professional Consultants. 2002. Clemson University, Clemson, SC
Service
- Co-Chair ““The Toxicological Impact of Metals, Crude Oil, and Chemical Dispersants from the Gulf of Mexico Oil Crisis on Human and Wildlife Health” session, American Association for the Advancement of Science 2013. (John Wise, co-chair)
- Co-Chair “Omics in Aquatic Toxicology” session, SETAC 2010-2011. (Chris Martyniuk, co-chair)
- Co-Chair ““The Toxicological Impact of Metals, Crude Oil, and Chemical Dispersants from the Gulf of Mexico Oil Crisis on Human and Wildlife Health” session, Society of Toxicology 2012. (John Wise, co-chair)
- Ad hoc reviewer for Environmental Science and Technology, Aquatic Toxicology, Nanotoxicology, Environmental Health Perspectives, Environmental Toxicology, Environmental Toxicologyand Chemistry, Marine Environmental Research, Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology, Toxicological Sciences, and Journal of Aquatic Animal Health
Students Advised
- Idrissa Boube, M.S. awarded spring 2011
- Art Karels, Ph.D. expected fall 2011
- Rachel Brewton, M.S. expected spring 2012
- Bryan Hedgpeth, M.S. expected fall 2012
- Stephanie Taylor, M.S. expected fall 2012.
Research Support
- The combined effect of environmental and anthropogenic stressors on fish health. $1,385,339. Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative. Thijs Bosker, University of Connecticut PI; RJ Griffitt, University of Southern Mississippi; Maria S. Sepulveda, Purdue University; and Chris Perkins, University of Connecticut co-PIs. 1/1/2013 – 12/31/2015.
- Phase II Immunotoxicology: Research in to the effects of hydrocarbon exposure on fish immune function: Master Subcontract agreement S161-1814 with Stratus Consulting. Task Order 4. $491,517. Feb. 2013 – Jan 2014. RJ Griffitt PI, DJ Grimes co-PI. LOSCO NRDA Contract.
- Phase II Fish Health sampling. Master Subcontract agreement S161-1814 with Stratus Consulting. Task Order 3. $294,480. Feb 2013 – Oct. 2013. DJ Grimes, PI, RJ Griffitt, co-PI. LOSCO NRDA Contract.
- Toxicity testing in support of the Deepwater Horizon NRDA. $476,038. RJ Griffitt, PI. 9/1/2012 – 8/31/2013.
- Development of Methods for conducting toxicity tests with southern flounder. $30,000. RJ Griffitt, PI. 12/19/2011 – 9/30/2012.
- Investigation of the ecotoxicological impacts of released crude and dispersed oil from the Deepwater Horizon event on estuarine and marine species in the northern GOM. NRDA contract. RJ Griffitt, PI. 2/1/2011 - 9/30/2012.
- Impacts of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on the health and growth of estuarine fish and ecosystem functionality. NGI Phase II grant, co-PIs Rich Fulford, Robert J, Griffitt, Nancy Brown-Peterson. 2/2011-2/2012.
- Monitoring the impacts of dispersed oil exposure on ecologically and economically important species in the northern Gulf of Mexico: using molecular biomarkers to answer an ecological question. NGI Phase I grant. 8/2010- 3/2011
- RAPID: Assessment of the impacts of the Deep Horizon oil spill on Bluecrab, Callinectessapidus, spawning
and recruitment in the north central Gulf of Mexico. .NSF grant number OCE-1044368. PIs: Richard Fulford, Harriet M. Perry, Robert J. Griffitt. 7/1/2010 – 6/30/2012. - Determination of effects of long-term exposure to sublethal concentrations of metallic nanomaterials on
zebrafish. Subaward from University of Florida from NSF grant number 0834-075. 8/1/2008 -7/31/2012.