The Wildlife Ecotoxicology and Physiological Ecology Program at Virginia Tech's Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences is directed by Dr. William A. Hopkins.

The program’s primary focus is the physiological ecology of ectothermic vertebrates and how anthropogenic disturbances alter the ability of these organisms to interact appropriately with their environment. Although toxicology is the primary driver of the research program, much emphasis is also placed on understanding the normal ecology and physiology of fish and wildlife.

Our research focuses on the effects of natural and anthropogenic stressors on physiological variables, particularly sublethal responses with demonstrated or theoretical implications for Darwinian fitness. Endpoints measured include changes in energy allocation, reproductive success, and measures of performance. Much of our work adopts an experimental approach, coupling laboratory, field, and outdoor mesocosm experiments to understand the effects of chronic dietary uptake of contaminants by high trophic level predators (i.e., snakes, lizards, and predatory fish and amphibians). In addition to focusing on trophic transfer of contaminants through communities, we are also interested in the fitness consequences of maternal transfer of teratogenic compounds.

Original website design by
Laura Janecek