Contaminants in Our Waterways and What We’re Doing About Them
A Science Pub lecture by Latonya Jackson, PhD, Agency Toxics & Emerging Contaminants Strategic Coordinator at the Department of Environmental Quality.
About the lecture
Our rivers, lakes, and streams are the lifeblood of our communities, but they are under growing pressure from pollution. Ecotoxicology is the science that studies how contaminants affect fish, wildlife, and humans, helping us see impacts we can’t always spot with the naked eye.
Everyday activities can send pollutants into the water: lawn and fertilizers, pesticides, oil, and metals from roads, chemicals from industries, and even medicines and personal care products washed down our drains. Once there, these substances can harm aquatic life, disrupt ecosystems, and sometimes affect the safety of our water and the fish we eat.
But there is good news! We are not powerless. Scientists and agencies are tracking contaminants, improving wastewater and stormwater treatment, restoring wetlands and streamside vegetation, and tightening rules on what can be released into the environment. Community projects like green streets, trash cleanups, and wetland planting events help keep pollution out of our waterways. You can be part of the solution. In this presentation, Dr. Jackson will share how, together, we can protect clean water for wildlife, our communities, and future generations.
Science Pubs are a casual lecture series located in fun venues across the region, recommended for ages 10 and over.
Tickets
$8 suggested donation | Advance tickets recommended
Zoom Option
If you are unable to join us in person, you can watch on Zoom. You must register in advance, so please select the Zoom option from the ticketing page to be sent a sign-up link. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information about joining the meeting.
About the Speaker
Dr. Latonya Jackson is the Toxics and Emerging Contaminants Strategic Coordinator at the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, where she leads cross-disciplinary initiatives to identify, assess, and manage risks associated with toxic substances and newly recognized environmental contaminants. With over two and a half decades of experience in ecotoxicology research and environmental science and policy, Latonya has developed and implemented strategies for contaminant monitoring, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder engagement. She has contributed to national work groups on chemical safety, served as a subject matter expert for federal advisory panels (e.g., EPA, ECOS Environmental Council of the States; etc.), and published research on contaminant fate and risk communication.
Latonya holds a PhD in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology, specializing in Ecotoxicology, from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and has additional training in Chemistry, Environmental Policy, Risk Assessment, and Scientific Communication. Primary research interests include the environmental fate of emerging contaminants, human health risk assessment, advancing science-based policy solutions, endocrine disrupting chemicals, and cumulative pollution impacts, with publications in leading journals including Aquatic Toxicology and Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. She has received multiple honors including SETAC Presidential Citations for her diversity leadership and the Excellence in Mentoring Award from the University of Cincinnati. Her career highlights include developing innovative training programs in water quality monitoring at the University of Cincinnati and Philander Smith College, where she achieved a 100% post-graduation placement rate for underrepresented STEM students.
Committed to equitable environmental solutions, Dr. Jackson serves as a scientific advisor to community organizations and continues to bridge gaps between scientific research, policy development, and frontline community needs. Her work exemplifies the integration of rigorous science with environmental justice principles to address emerging contaminant challenges.
Questions? Email sciencepub@omsi.edu
Ticketing questions call 503.797.4000 x0
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are unable to join us in person, you can watch on zoom. You must register in advance via the ticketing page. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
To guarantee a seat at this event, we recommend you purchase your ticket in advance. Please show your ticket at the check-in table in front of the theater upon arrival.
We will always have tickets available at the door. They are first-come, first-served and admission will remain a suggested donation.
Kennedy School Theater has everything from pizza to burgers to popcorn and candy. Food and drink are welcome in the theater. No outside food or drink is allowed.
It is free to park in McMenamins Kennedy School parking lot and there is plenty of free street parking in the neighborhood