Wiegand Research
Jenna Wiegand
Graduate Student Researcher
Department of Environmental Science
University of California, Riverside
Education
University of California, Riverside Riverside California 2019 - Present
Ph.D. Candidate, Environmental Sciences (track in Ecotoxicology and Environmental Chemistry)
PI: David Volz
Dissertation Title: Osmoregulatory Impacts of Triphenyl Phosphate on Zebrafish Embryos
American University Washington DC . 2018- 2019
MS Environmental Science
PI: Victoria Connaughton
Thesis Title: Developmental effects of siloxane exposure in zebrafish: A comparison study using laboratory-mixed and environmental water samples
American University Washington DC . 2014- 2018
BS Environmental Science, Minor in Biology
Research Experience
Graduate Student Researcher, Department of Environmental Science. University of California, Riverside. Fall 2019-Present.
Graduate Student Researcher, Department of Environmental Science. American University. Washington DC. 2018-2019
Undergraduate Research Assistant, Department of Biology. American University. Washington DC. 2015-2018
Undergraduate Research Assistant, Department of Environmental Science. American University. Washington DC. 2014-2015
Work Experience
Teaching Assistant, Department of Environmental Sciences. University of California, Riverside. Fall 2020-Winter 2022.
Teaching Assistant, Department of Environmental Science. American University. Washington DC. 2017-2019.
Conservation Science Intern, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Washington DC. 2018.
Keeper Aid at the Small Mammal House, Smithsonian National Zoological Park. Washington DC. 2017
Student Sustainability Educator, Office of Sustainability. American University. Washington DC. 2014-2017.
Keeper Aid at the Elephant House, Smithsonian National Zoological Park. Washington DC. 2016.
Primate Interpreter, Smithsonian National Zoological Park. Washington DC. 2015-2016.
Research Interests
Ecotoxicology
Aquatic ecology
Developmental toxicology
Research Description
Flame retardants have negative impacts on human and ecosystem health
Within the United States, there are numerous laws requiring that flame retardants be added to products to prevent fires from breaking out within cars, homes and industrial buildings. Due to this, human and animal species beings are constantly being exposed to flame retardant chemicals, which can cause numerous side effects including endocrine disruption, cancer, inflammation and neurodevelopment impacts in humans and other species. Despite knowing the side effects there are many unknowns in regards to the mechanisms these chemicals use to impact our bodies. Therefore, a deeper understanding of these mechanisms is required so that the side effects can be thoroughly understood, and so that ways to protect humans and other species from exposure can be created.
Publications
Wiegand, J., Avila-Barnard, S., Nemarugommula, C., Lyons, D., Zhang, S., Stapleton, H.M., Volz, D. (2023) Triphenyl phosphate-induced pericardial edema in zebrafish embryos is dependent on the ionic strength of exposure media. Environment International, 172, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2023.107757.
Jessup, W. H., Wiegand, J., Delbridge-Perry, M., MacAvoy, S. E., & Connaughton, V. P. (2022). Developmental effects of siloxane exposure in zebrafish: A comparison study using laboratory-mixed and environmental water samples. Journal of Applied Toxicology, 1– 19. https://doi.org/10.1002/jat.4369
Avila-Barnard, S., Dasgupta, S., Cheng, V., Reddam, A., Wiegand, J., Volz, D.C. (2022). Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate disrupts the trajectory of cytosine methylation within developing zebrafish embryos. Environ. Res. 211:113078.
Wiegand, J.L., Cheng, V., Reddam, A., Avila-Barnard, S., Volz., D. (2022). Triphenyl phosphate-induced pericardial edema is associated with elevated epidermal ionocytes within zebrafish embryos. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, 89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.etap.2021.103776
LeFauve, M.K., Rowe, C.J., Crowley-Perry, M., Wiegand, J.L., Shapiro, A.G., Connaughton, V.P.. Using a variant of the optomotor response as a visual defect detection assay in zebrafish. J Biol Methods 2021;8(1):e144. DOI:
10.14440/jbm.2021.341Gould, C. J., Wiegand, J. L., Connaughton, V. P. (2017). Acute developmental exposure to 4-hydroxyandrostenedione has a long-term effect on visually-guided behaviors. Neurotoxicology and Teratology,64, 45-49.
First- Authored Conference Presentations
Wiegand, J., Avila-Barnard, S., Nemarugommula, C., Lyons, D., Zhang, S., Stapleton, H.M., Volz, D. (2023) Triphenyl phosphate-induced pericardial edema in zebrafish embryos is dependent on the ionic strength of exposure media. 62st Annual Meeting and ToxEXPO of Society of Toxicology. Nashville, TN, USA.
Wiegand, J.L., Cheng, V., Reddam, A., Avila-Barnard, S., Volz., D. 2022. Triphenyl phosphate-induced pericardial edema is associated with elevated epidermal ionocytes within zebrafish embryos. 62nd Annual Meeting of Society for Birth Defects Research & Prevention. Vancouver, Canada.
Wiegand, J.L., Cheng, V., Reddam, A., Avila-Barnard, S., Volz., D. 2022. Triphenyl phosphate-induced pericardial edema is associated with elevated epidermal ionocytes within zebrafish embryos. 2022 Annual Meeting of SoCal SETAC. Ventura, CA, USA.
Wiegand, J.L., Cheng, V., Reddam, A., Avila-Barnard, S., Volz., D. 2022. Triphenyl phosphate-induced pericardial edema is associated with elevated epidermal ionocytes within zebrafish embryos. 61st Annual Meeting and ToxEXPO of Society of Toxicology. San Diego, CA, USA.
Wiegand, J.L., Cheng, V., Reddam, A., Avila-Barnard, S., Volz., D. 2021. Triphenyl phosphate-induced pericardial edema is associated with elevated epidermal ionocytes within zebrafish embryos. 42nd Annual Meeting of American College of Toxicology. Washington D.C. USA. (virtual poster)
Wiegand, J.L, & Jessup, W. (2018) Laboratory based assessment of Anacostia River contaminants. Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the Robyn Rafferty Matthias Student Research Conference, Washington, D.C.
Wiegand, J.L, & Jessup, W. (2018) Laboratory based assessment of Anacostia River contaminants. Poster session presented at the annual meeting of District of Columbia Space Grant Consortium, Washington D.C.