Kristine L. Willett

Kristine L. Willett

Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology
Cancer Epidemiology Program
Ph.D., Toxicology, 1997, Texas A&M University
Postdoc, 1998-2000, Duke University
Postdoc, 1997-1998, Indiana University

Contact Information
Box 1848, Old Power Plant Room 200
University, MS 38677
Phone: 662-915-6691
Email: kwillett@olemiss.edu

Research Interests

  • Carcinogenic, endocrine disruptive and developmental effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure
  • Fish embryo and gill toxicity of manufactured silver nanoparticles
  • Environmental effects of Hurricane Katrina and the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

Research Synopsis
Carcinogenic, endocrine disruptive and developmental effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure. PAHs are ubiquitous environmental contaminants that have been long recognized as carcinogens but more recently are being recognized for the reproductive and developmental toxicities. We use fish as model organisms because they are particularly well suited for study of developmental and multi or transgenerational toxicities. Ongoing work is investigating the potential for benzo(a)pyrene to cause toxicity through epigenetic mechanisms. Funded by National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

Fish embryo and gill toxicity of manufactured silver nanoparticles. The nanoparticle industry is booming, and silver nanoparticles specifically have the highest number of new uses compared to any other. Unfortunately, the toxicological implications of the environmental release of these particles is largely unknown and no regulatory framework exists for them. Our studies will not only highlight mechanisms of toxicity but provide useful information for setting risk guidelines. Funded by US Army Corps of Engineers.

Environmental effects of Hurricane Katrina and the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. Through a series of bioassay and analytical chemistry measurements of site sediment and water contaminants temporal and special trends of hurricane and oil spill effects are being determined. Most recently we have begun to investigate the proteomic signals of toxicity in affected species including oysters and seagrasses. Funded by NIUST

Recent Accomplishments and Honors
Editorial Board Member of Toxicological Sciences and Aquatic Toxicology
Panelist on Mississippi Public Broadcasting Show "The Science of the Spill" Aired August 31, 2010

Selected Publications

  1. Wills, L.P., Jung, D., Koehrn, K., Zhu, S., Willett, K.L., Hinton, D.E. and Di Giulio, R.T. 2010. Comparative chronic liver toxicity of benzo[a]pyrene in two populations of the Atlantic killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) with different exposure histories. Environmental Health Perspectives. 118: 1376-1381.
  2. Wang, L., Camus, A., Thornton, C., and Willett, K.L. 2010. Role of CYP1C1 and CYP1A in PAH-induced carcinogenesis in a fish model: Fundulus heteroclitus. Aquatic Toxicology. 99: 439-447.
  3. Dong, W., Wang, L., Thornton, C., Scheffler, B.E., and Willett, K.L., 2008. Benzo(a)pyrene decreases brain and ovarian aromatase mRNA expression. Aquatic Toxicology. 88: 289-300.
  4. Zhu, S., Li, L., Thorton, C., Carvalho, P., Avery, B.A., and Willett, K.L. 2008. Simultaneous determination of benzo[a]pyrene and eight of its metabolites in Fundulus heteroclitus bile using ultra performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry. Journal of Chromatography B. 863:141-149.
  5. Chaudhary, A., Pechan, T., and Willett, K.L. 2007. Differential protein expression of peroxiredoxin I and II by benzo(a)pyrene and quercetin treatment in 22 Rv1 and PrEC prostate cell lines. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology. 220:197-210.