Dr. H.A. Leslie

Academic training

• 2003: PhD in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, The Netherlands
• 1998: MSc in Aquatic Ecotoxicology, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 1991: BSc Biology/Biochemistry, Dalhousie University, Canada

Professional employment history

• 2006-present: Researcher, Department of Chemistry and Biology, Institute for Environmental Studies, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 2003-2006: Researcher, Netherlands Institute for Fisheries Research (RIVO), Wageningen University and Research Centre, the Netherlands
• 2003: Water Education Research, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands
• 1998-2003: PhD Researcher, IRAS, Utrecht University, with a grant from the Technology Foundation STW of the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO), the Netherlands

Summary

Heather Leslie is an ecotoxicologist with strong interests in analytical environmental chemistry, ecology and education. She joined the IVM on 1 May 2006 as researcher in the Chemistry and Biology Department. Her research interests include:

• Environmental monitoring and assessment of POPs, WFD priority pollutants and other chemicals in complex mixtures in effluents, surface waters, sediments, particulate matter;
• Detection and assessment of POPs in humans;
• Application of passive sampling for exposure and bioconcentration to assessment of contaminant complex mixtures (e.g. solid-phase microextraction and other robust phases for in the field);
• Biological monitoring and biodiversity:
• Analysis and toxicity of non-dioxin like PCBs for EU food safety guidelines:
• Ecotoxicological studies, especially mixture toxicity and time in toxicology:
• Quality control and quality assurance in environmental monitoring:
• Cooperation and capacity building in environmental science in new economies and developing countries:
• Education and training in environmental sciences.

Heather is an active member of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry and the Dutch Environmental Toxicology section of the Dutch Toxicology Society (NVT). Her main projects at IVM are funded by the e.g. EU, UNEP, BSEF and Cefic.

Peer reviewed publications

• de Boer, J., Leslie, H.A, van Leeuwen, S.P.J., Wegener, J.-W., van Bavel, B., Lindström, G., Lahouti-fard & N., Fiedler, H. (Submitted). UNEP intercomparison studies and training for persistent or-ganic pollutant analysis under the Stockholm Convention.
• Leonards, P.E.G., van Hattum, B. & Leslie, H.A.. (Submitted.) Assessing the risks of persistent or-ganic pollutants to top predators: a review of approaches.
• Leslie, H.A., Thomsen, C., Brandsma, S., Velzen, M van, Leonards, P.E.G. & Boer, J. de (2007). De-cabromodiphenylether in human whole blood and serum. Amsterdam, the Netherlands, BFR 2007.
• Leslie, H.A., Leonards, P.E.G., Bersuder, P., Allchin, C.R., Gabrielsen, G.W., Shore, R.F., Walker, L.A. & , Boer, J. de (2007). Monitoring of decabromodiphenylether in the environment: birds’ eggs, sewage sludge and sediments. Amsterdam, the Netherlands, BFR 2007.
• Covaci, A., Gerecke, A., Law, R., Voorspoels, S., Leslie, H.A., Kohler, M., Allchin, C., & de Boer J. (2006). HBCD in the environment and humans - a review and specific considerations. Environ Sci Technol, 40, 3679.
• Vorkamp, K., Thomsen M., Falk, K., Leslie, H.A., Møller, S. & Sørensen, P.B. (2005). Temporal de-velopment of brominated flame retardants in peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) eggs from South-ern Greenland (1986-2003). Environ Sci Technol, 39, 8199-8206.
• Leslie, H.A., Kraak, M.H.S. & Hermens, J.L.M. (2004). Baseline toxicity of a chlorobenzene mixture and total body residues measured and estimated with solid-phase microextraction. Environ Toxicol Chem, 23, 2017–2021.
• Leslie, H.A., Hermens, J.L.M. & Kraak, M.H.S. (2004). Chronic toxicity and body residues of the nonpolar narcotic 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorobenzene in Chironomus riparius. Environ Toxicol Chem, 23, 2022–2028.
• Boer, J. de, Leslie, H.A., Leonards, P.E.G., Bersuder, P., Morris, S. & Allchin, C.R. (2004). Screening and time trend study of decabromodiphenylether and hexabromocyclododecane in birds. BFR 2004 125–128.
• Leslie, H.A., Laak, T.L. ter, Busser, F.J.M., Kraak, M.H.S. & Hermens, J.L.M. (2002). Bioconcentra-tion of organic chemicals: is a solid-phase micro¬extraction fiber a good surrogate for biota? Envi-ron Sci Technol, 36, 5399–5404.
• Leslie, H.A., Laak, T.L. ter, Oosthoek, A.J.P., Busser, F.J.M., Kraak, M.H.S. & Hermens, J.L.M.. (2002). Biomimetic solid-phase microextraction to predict body residues and toxicity of chemicals that act by narcosis. Environ Toxicol Chem, 21, 229–234.
• Bleeker, E.A.J., Wiegman, S., Voogt, P. de, Kraak, M.H.S., Leslie, H.A., Haas, E. de & Admiraal, W. (2002). Toxicity of azaarenes. Rev Environ Contam Toxicol, 173, 39–83.
• Pellicaan, C.H.P. & Leslie, H.A. (2002). Farmacotherapie voor het milieu? Tijdschrift voor Dierge-neeskunde 2(127), 62–63.
• Pavluk, T.I., Vaate, A. bij de & Leslie, H.A. (2000). Development of an Index of Trophic Complete-ness for benthic macroinvertebrate communities in flowing waters. Hydrobiologia, 427, 135–141.
• Leslie, H.A., Pavluk, T.I. Vaate, A. bij de & Kraak, M.H.S. (1999). Caddisflies, chromium contami-nation and the TRIAD assessment approach in a Russian river. Proc Exper & Appl Entomol, 10, 111-116.
• Leslie, H.A., Pavluk, T.I., Vaate, A. bij de & Kraak, M.H.S. (1999). Triad assessment of the impact of chromium contamination on benthic macroinvertebrates in the Chusovaya River (Urals, Russia). Arch Environ Contam Toxicol, 37, 182–189.
• Bleeker, E.A.J., Leslie, H.A., Groenendijk, D., Plans, M. & Admiraal, W. (1999). Effects of exposure to azaarenes on emergence and mouthpart development in the midge Chironomus riparius (Dip-tera: Chironomidae). Environ Toxicol Chem, 18, 1829–1834.

Link to full publication list at IVM since 2006