Sarah Stevens

Dr. Sarah Stevens is a Researcher in the Department of Cell Toxicology at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) in Leipzig, Germany. She joined as a postdoctoral researcher in October 2024, contributing to the CoModHaz project focusing on modernizing chemical hazard indicators. Her work integrates bioanalytical test batteries and novel hazard validation, particularly regarding plastic-associated chemicals.

Education:

• PhD in Environmental Sciences (September 2024), Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
• Master’s in Ecology and Evolution, Goethe University Frankfurt
• Bachelor’s in Biology, Technical University of Dresden

Research Interests: Her research emphasizes chemical mixtures from plastic packaging, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and metabolism disruption. She employs effect-based in vitro tools, non-targeted chemical analysis, and life cycle assessments. Key projects include the EU-H2020 LimnoPlast initiative on microplastics in freshwater ecosystems, with research stays at the University of Gothenburg (zebrafish embryo studies) and Fraunhofer UMSICHT (life cycle analysis).

Collaborations & Activities: Active in advancing tools like MLinvitroTox for toxicity prediction. Presented research at SETAC Europe 2025 in Vienna, focusing on New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) and chemical exposome assessment. Part of the Cell Toxicology team collaborating with Eawag and international partners.