Donald Tillitt

Dr. Donald Tillitt is an Adjunct Professor affiliated with the University of Missouri and serves as the Branch Chief at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Columbia Environmental Research Center. His primary research focus is environmental toxicology, particularly the effects of chemical contaminants on fish reproduction and development.

Research Interests:

• Developmental effects of persistent chemicals in fish
• Contaminant impacts on visual development and associated behavioral deficits (e.g., predator avoidance)
• Thiamine deficiencies in Great Lakes salmonines
• Chemical effects on sexual differentiation and gonad development
• Impacts of atrazine and methylmercury on fish
• Gene expression along the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis
• Steroid hormone and gonadotrophin characterization in shovelnose sturgeon

His recent publications reflect a strong emphasis on emerging contaminants like PFAS, their immunotoxicity and ecological risks, invasive species management, and advanced laboratory techniques for environmental health assessment. The work spans molecular toxicology, ecosystem modeling, and applied conservation science.

Education:

• PhD, Michigan State University, 1989

Scientific Contributions:

• Leadership in developing passive sampling techniques (SPMDs, POCIS)
• Research on endocrine disruption in aquatic species
• Development of risk assessment models for environmental contaminants
• Contributions to endangered species recovery (pallid sturgeon)

Dr. Tillitt leads an active research program evaluating multiple levels of biological organization—from molecular and biochemical endpoints to histology and behavior—providing comprehensive insights into contaminant effects on aquatic ecosystems. His work bridges laboratory science with field applications, contributing significantly to environmental policy and conservation strategies.