Heather Patisaul

Dr. Heather Patisaul is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at North Carolina State University. She holds the title of University Faculty Scholar and conducts research through the Center for Human Health and the Environment (CHHE), an NIEHS P30 Center. Her work focuses on endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), particularly their effects on neuroendocrine pathways in rodents, with emphasis on flame retardants, BPA, and phytoestrogens. She employs advanced techniques like RNAseq, immunohistochemistry, and electrophysiology in her studies.

Dr. Patisaul received her B.S. in Zoology from the University of Florida (1995) and her Ph.D. from Emory University (2001). Her research has been recognized through awards such as the NIEHS ONES Award and the 2019 Research Leadership Academy honor. She has chaired major conferences like the 2016 Gordon Research Conference on Environmental Endocrine Disruptors and contributed to national/international expert panels.

Her research explores how EDCs alter social behavior, neurodevelopment, and physiological processes with a focus on sex-specific outcomes. Key models include prairie voles, rats, and mice. She investigates placental transfer mechanisms and their impact on fetal brain development using multidisciplinary approaches.

Dr. Patisaul's work bridges basic science and policy through initiatives like the TENDR consensus statement on neurodevelopmental risks. She collaborates with the NTP and contributes to large-scale consortia like CLARITY-BPA to advance understanding of chemical effects across organ systems.