Biography:
Dr. Usenko first joined the Department of Environmental Science at Baylor as a Lecturer in the fall of 2007, then in the fall of 2008 as an Assistant Professor.

Academic Interests and Research:
Dr. Usenko's research interests include tracking the environmental transport and fate of anthropogenic contaminants in aquatic ecosystems, particularly in spatial and temporal scales; also the transformation and bioavailability of persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic chemicals in the environment; and also the focus on the environmental forensic chemistry to identify sources of contaminants using unique chemical fingerprints.

Publications:
Dobbins LL, Usenko S, Brain RA, & BW Brooks. 2009, accepted. Probabilistic ecological hazard assessment of parabens using Daphnia magna and Pimephales promelas. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

Ramirez AJ, Brain RA, Usenko A, Mottaleb MA, O'Donnell JG, Stahl LL, Wathen JB, Snyder BD, Pitt JL, Perez-Hurtado P, Dobbins LL, Brooks BW, Chambliss CK. 2009, in press. Occurrence of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in fish: Results of a national pilot study in the U.S. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

Fulton BA, Brain RA, Usenko S, Back JA, King RS, & BW Brooks. 2009, In press. Influence of N and P concentrations and ratios on Lemna gibba growth responses to triclosanin laboratory and stream mesocosm experiments. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

Mottaleb MA, Ramirez AJ, Usenko S, Brooks BW, & CK Chambliss. 2009. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry screening methods for select UV filters, synthetic musks, alkylphenols, an antimicrobial agent, and an insect repellent in fish. Journal of Chromatography A 1216: 815–823.

Landers DH, Simonich SL, Jaffe DA, Geiser LH, Campbell DH, Schwindt AR, Schreck CB, Kent ML, Hafner WD, Taylor HE, Hageman KJ, Usenko S, Ackerman LK, Schrlau JE, Rose NL, Blett TF, Erway MM. 2007. The Fate, Transport, and Ecological Impacts of Airborne Contaminants in Western National Parks (USA), Volume 1: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Report EPA/600/R-07/138, 348p.

Usenko S, Landers DH, Appleby PG, Simonich SL. 2007. Current and Historical Deposition of PBDEs, Pesticides, PCBs, and PAHs to Rocky Mountain National Park, USA.. Environmental Science and Technology 79: 7235-7241.

Usenko S, Hageman KJ, Schmedding DW, Wilson GR, Simonich SL. 2005. Trace analysis of semi-volatile organic compounds in snow, lake water, and groundwater. Environmental Science and Technology 39: 6006-6015.

Awards and Honors:
Christensen Fund recipient; N.L. Tarter Research Fellowship.

Member of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) and the American Chemical Society.