Helen Poynton, Professor
I founded the Poynton Laboratory at UMass Boston in 2010 to study molecular ecotoxicology. Our research applies molecular and genomic tools to understand hidden stressors, complex mixtures, and the impacts they have coastal and aquatic organisms. Through projects such as Vieques: Ambiente, Salud, y Accion Communitaria, we are applying Community Based Participatory Research to help communities understand and empower them to solve environmental problems. I also serve on the MA Toxic Use Reduction Act science advisory board and participate in outreach to educate kids and their parents on the diversity of aquatic life and how to protect their own community lakes and ponds.
Alyssa Goncalves
I joined the Poynton Lab in 2023 and I am currently a third year Marine Science and Technology PhD Candidate. I received my B.S. in Marine Environmental Science with a minor in Marine Biology from the State University of New York at Maritime College. My current research is in understanding stressors that affect coastal organisms as well as underrepresented communities.
Alyssa Goncalves
Paula Diaz Sanchez
I am a second year PhD student in Marine Science and Technology. I am interested in investigating the relationships among the genetic, molecular, and socioecological processes that shape marine environments. Specifically, I am interested in host-parasite interactions of the trematode parasite Proctoeces maculatus and the blue mussel Mytius edulis. Through my PhD I hope to also to uncover the genetic mechanisms underlying infection resistance in mussels and the molecular responses of P. maculatus to mussel immune defenses. I am also passionate about art and want to bridge the gap between art and science to deepen public understanding and awareness of the environmental stories that sustain our coastal communities.
Valeria Hernandez Talavera
Valeria joined the Poynton Lab in Fall 2020 and is a currently a fifth year Environmental Science PhD student. Her current research is in environmental risk assessments, specifically community-driven assessment of environmental concerns and health risks in Vieques, Puerto Rico through community participatory research. Her research focuses on linking 60 years of military exercises in Vieques to health threats for the residents on the island from exposed ecosystems. Valeria was born and raised on the west side of Puerto Rico (P.R); and spends her time at the beach, reading good books, and playing with her dogs.
Irina Polunia-Proulx
I joined the Poynton Lab in Fall 2020 and I am a fifth year Marine Science and Technology PhD Candidate. I received her B.S. in Biology and Environmental Science, and a minor in Chemistry from University of Massachusetts Amherst. My current research is in developmental toxicology, specifically developing an embryo toxicity assay using the freshwater invertebrate H. azteca, titled the Crustacean Embryo Toxicity (CET) Assay. I am using the developed assay to test different teratogens and environmentally-relevant samples, such as air pollution. Testing these samples will show the impact of chemical pollution on morphology, gene expression, and neurobehavioral endpoints.
I joined the Poynton lab in 2024 to pursue a master’s degree in environmental science with a focus on arthropod biodiversity. My thesis is on the Biodiversity and Insecticide Sensitivity of Nantucket Bog Spiders. I utilize morphological and genetic identification to compare species level diversity between a conventional cranberry bog system and a restored bog wetland. I also look at how pesticides impact these populations of beneficial non-target organisms. Beyond spiders I am also interested in arthropod diversity, the causes of global declines in their populations, and methods to look at evolution and diversification.
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Get in touch to learn more.
helen.poynton@umb.edu
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