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Dr Alice Baynes
Divisional Lead / Senior Lecturer in Environmental Sciences

Heinz Wolff 001D

Summary

My main interests lie in aquatic biology, specifically how anthropogenic stressors, such as environmental contaminants, can alter an animals' development, reproductive and immune systems (endocrine disruption). My focus has been to investigate environmental chemical disruption to fish and freshwater gastropod molluscs. Originally the emphasis of my research was on disruption to classic sex steroids (oestrogens and androgens), however recently my attention has been widened to include disruption to other parts of the endocrine system including thyroid and retinoid systems.

Working in the field of endocrine disrupting chemicals, one area of research which I am keen to investigate is mollusc endocrinology. Much of my work with gastropods has found that, contrary to long-held views, molluscs may not use the same sex steroids as vertebrates. Without understanding how these fundamental developmental and reproductive processes work in molluscs, this huge and diverse group of animals are at risk of not being adequately protected using the current environmental endocrine disruption testing and legislation. 

Career Summary

  • 2022-present Senior Lecturer in Environmental Sciences College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (CHMLS), Brunel University London
  • 2020-2022 Lecturer in Environmental Sciences. CHMLS, Brunel Univerity London
  • 2014-2020 Research Fellow, Institute of Environment, Health and Societies, Brunel University London, UK.
  • 2012-2014 Postdoctoral Research Manager, Institute for the Environment (IfE), Brunel University, UK.
  • 2009-2012 Postdoctoral Research Assistant, IfE, Brunel University, UK.
  • 2008-2009 Research Assistant, IfE, Brunel University, UK.
  • 2004-2008 PhD student, IfE, Brunel University, UK.
  • 2002-2004 Fisheries Scientist, Environment Agency’s National Fisheries Laboratory, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, UK.

Qualifications

  • 2010: PhD Environmental Toxicology, Brunel University London
  • 2002: BSc Hons Marine Biology, University of Hull

Responsibility

  • SETAC Global Interest Group (IG) on Endocrine Disrupter Testing and Risk Assessment (EDTRA) (steering committee member 2020-present)
  • Royal Society of Biology (RSB) London Branch (Treasurer 2018-present)
  • Brunel Environment Subcommittee (member 2020-present)
  • Brunel University London Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body (AWERB) (Chair 2018-present, member since 2015, Deputy Chair 2017-2018)
  • Brunel University London Research Ethics Committee (UREC) (member 2018-present)
  • NUS Green Impact - sustainability and green initiatives (Environmental Sciences Team, 2014-2019)

Newest selected publications

Baynes, A., Lange, A., Beresford, N., Bryden, E., Whitlock, K., Tyler, CR. and et al. (2023) 'Endocrine disruption is reduced but still widespread in wild roach (Rutilus rutilus) living in English rivers'. Environmental Science and Technology, 57 (34). pp. 12632 - 12641. ISSN: 0013-936X Open Access Link

Journal article

Hamilton, PB., Baynes, A., Nicol, E., Harris, G., Webster, TMU., Beresford, N., et al. (2022) 'Feminizing Effects of Ethinylestradiol in Roach (Rutilus rutilus) Populations with Different Estrogenic Pollution Exposure Histories'. Aquatic Toxicology, 249. pp. 1 - 10. ISSN: 0166-445X Open Access Link

Journal article

Wang, Y., Baynes, A., Renner, KO., Zhang, M., Scrimshaw, MD. and Routledge, EJ. (2022) 'Uptake, Elimination and Effects of Cosmetic Microbeads on the Freshwater Gastropod Biomphalaria glabrata'. Toxics, 10 (2). pp. 1 - 13. ISSN: 2305-6304 Open Access Link

Journal article

Fretwell, B., Nicol, L., Whiting, R., Baynes, A., Martin, O., Keller, V. and et al. (2021) 'Likelihood of three endocrine disrupting substances reaching drinking water'. Available at: https://cdn.dwi.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/07110203/DWI70-2-328.pdf.

Report

Hamilton, PB., Lockyer, AE., Uren Webster, TM., Studholme, DJ., Paris, JR., Baynes, A., et al. (2020) 'Investigation into Adaptation in Genes Associated with Response to Estrogenic Pollution in Populations of Roach (Rutilus rutilus) Living in English Rivers'. Environmental Science & Technology, 54 (24). pp. 15935 - 15945. ISSN: 0013-936X Open Access Link

Journal article
More publications(15)