P. Lee Ferguson

P. Lee Ferguson is an Associate Professor in the Division of Marine Science and Conservation at Duke University's School of Engineering, where he also serves as Chair of the Ecotoxicology and Environmental Health program. He joined Duke in 2009 after six years as an assistant professor at the University of South Carolina. Ferguson specializes in environmental analytical chemistry, focusing on developing and applying advanced techniques to study emerging contaminants like PFAS, microplastics, and nanoparticulate pollutants in water systems. His research emphasizes non-targeted analysis workflows, environmental fate studies, and molecular toxicology mechanisms.

Education: Ph.D. in Chemistry from Stony Brook University (2002). His lab, the Environmental Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, utilizes cutting-edge instrumentation such as high-resolution mass spectrometry and near-infrared laser fluorometry to trace contaminants. Recent grants include studies on PFAS in North Carolina drinking water and oyster populations, funded by organizations like the Coastal Carolina Riverwatch and University of North Carolina.

Key research areas include water quality, environmental health, and toxicology. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles and testified before the U.S. Senate on nanotechnology risks. His lab collaborates on initiatives like the NC PFAS Testing Network to address statewide contamination. Ferguson advises multiple PhD students and oversees a team focused on interdisciplinary environmental solutions.

Lab facilities include advanced chromatography systems, ICP-MS, and proteomics tools. Current projects involve lithium-ion battery PFAS releases, microplastic toxicity, and chemical exposure disparities. His work bridges analytical chemistry with ecological and human health impacts, aiming to inform policy and mitigation strategies for emerging pollutants.