Bevin E. Blake, PhD

I am a toxicologist and Principal Investigator at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and I specialize in developmental and reproductive toxicology with a particular interest in studying how environmental contaminants impact pregnancy outcomes. I first became interested in the field of toxicology after taking an elective course called “ecotoxicology” in my senior year at the University of Mount Union, a small liberal arts college in Ohio. At the time, I was working towards dual degrees in biology and psychology and was interested in going to grad school to study neurobiology. What I wasn’t expecting was for this elective ecotoxicology course to completely knock my socks off. I was so fascinated by the ways in which environmental contaminants impacted flora and fauna, and eventually realized that the negative effects experienced by mollusks, earthworms, birds, and amphibians would inevitably affect humans, too.

After finishing undergrad, I joined Dr. Krista McCoy’s lab at East Carolina University where I went on to study how over-exposure to endogenous hormones during gestation influences offspring behavior in the rat. Though my project wasn’t focused on environmental contaminants, it was relevant to understanding the potential for endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) to influence early brain development. It was during this time as a master’s student that I learned about the Barker Hypothesis/developmental origins of health and disease. I wanted to learn more about the ways exposures during pregnancy and other critical developmental windows can impact health across the lifespan.

For my doctoral training, I went on to join the labs of Dr. Suzanne Fenton (formerly at the National Toxicology Program) and Dr. Rebecca Fry (UNC Chapel Hill). It was around this time that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were getting a lot of attention in the local news after certain compounds had been measured in high levels in the Cape Fear River (CFR). There was little to no toxicology data for some of the novel PFAS measured in the CFR, including a compound known as GenX that had been selected as a replacement for the legacy compound perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). PFOA is associated with increased risk for reduced birth weight and preeclampsia, but at the time it was not known whether GenX might induce the same outcomes. My dissertation sought to reduce this information gap through using in vivo and in vitro models, with a specific focus on PFAS-induced placental toxicity. It has been such an interesting thread to pull on that I have continued research in this area in my present role as a Principal Investigator at the U.S. EPA. Though I am still very early in my career, I am very proud of the impact some of my dissertation research had on the U.S. EPA Office of Water’s toxicological assessment of GenX. It is extremely rewarding to know some of my work might have a real, tangible impact on protecting public health.

I first joined the Society for Birth Defects Research and Prevention in 2018 when I was about halfway through my PhD. Dr. Fenton encouraged me to submit an abstract for the meeting and suggested I find ways to get involved with the society (just one of countless instances of her wonderful mentorship!). Being a member of BDRP since 2018 has been a truly rewarding experience and I have enjoyed contributing to the Awards Committee and the Communications Committee. I look forward to contributing to the Awards Committee again over the next few years. I tell all my colleagues that BDRP is by far my favorite scientific meeting due to the unique blend of academic, clinical, public health, government, and private sector perspectives. The meeting is the perfect size for networking, initiating new and exciting collaborations, being an engaged attendee, and connecting with others over the Warkany Tea or the annual volleyball game.

Outside of science, I am an avid outdoorswoman and love to camp, hike, backpack, mountain bike, rock climb, run, and spend time outside. I’ve been to 20 national parks and hope to continue visiting these incredible national treasures in the coming years. I am also a bookworm, who loves everything from serious nonfiction to fantasy romance, a big metalhead who loves angry, screamy music, and loving auntie to three nephews and one niece.