Dr. Robert Hale

Rob holds a BA (Chemistry), BS (Biology) & PhD (Marine Science). He began his career as a Environ. Chemist at the Mobil Corp. Environmental Health Sciences Lab (Princeton, NJ). In 1988, he joined the VIMS/W&M faculty & is now a Professor in the Dept. of Aquatic Health Sciences. His research interests focus on organic pollutants in environmental media, especially aquatic systems. However, as environmental compartments are interconnected, he often "strays" into "built", terrestrial & other systems. He has long been interested in interactions between biological & chemical constituencies, & pollutant sources. Circa 2000, his research group reported high levels of PBT flame retardant polymer additives in fish and wastewater sewage sludges. This led to an interest in "microplastics" as contaminant sources (including indoor dust). Rob & colleagues currently are investigating the characteristics of microplastics & their interactions with biological systems.