Dr Alice Baynes
Divisional Lead / Senior Lecturer in Environmental Sciences

Summary

My main interests lie in aquatic biology, specifically how anthropogenic stressors, such as environmental contaminants, can alter an animals' development, reproductive and immune systems (endocrine disruption). My focus has been to investigate environmental chemical disruption to fish and freshwater gastropod molluscs. Originally, the emphasis of my research was on disruption to classic sex steroids (oestrogens and androgens); however, recently, my attention has been widened to include disruption to other parts of the endocrine system, including thyroid and retinoid systems.

Working in the field of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), one area of research which I am keen to investigate is mollusc endocrinology. Much of my work with gastropods has found that, contrary to long-held views, molluscs may not use the same sex steroids as vertebrates. Without understanding how these fundamental developmental and reproductive processes work in molluscs, this huge and diverse group of animals are at risk of not being adequately protected using the current environmental endocrine disruption testing and legislation. 

Career Summary

• 2023-present Environmental Sciences Division Lead.
• 2022-present Senior Lecturer in Environmental Sciences College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (CHMLS), Brunel University London
• 2020-2022 Lecturer in Environmental Sciences. CHMLS, Brunel Univerity London
• Jan-March 2019 Visiting Research Fellow, Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia
• 2014-2020 Research Fellow, Institute of Environment, Health and Societies, Brunel University London, UK.
• 2012-2014 Postdoctoral Research Manager, Institute for the Environment (IfE), Brunel University, UK.
• 2009-2012 Postdoctoral Research Assistant, IfE, Brunel University, UK.
• 2008-2009 Research Assistant, IfE, Brunel University, UK.
• 2004-2008 PhD student, IfE, Brunel University, UK.
• 2002-2004 Fisheries Scientist, Environment Agency’s National Fisheries Laboratory, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, UK.

Qualifications

• 2018: Fellow of Higher Education Academy (HEA)
• 2010: PhD Environmental Toxicology, Brunel University London
• 2002: BSc Hons Marine Biology, University of Hull

Responsibility

• SETAC Global Interest Group (IG) on Endocrine Disrupter Testing and Risk Assessment (EDTRA) (steering committee member 2020-present)
• Founding member of Brunel Univerity's Centre for Pollution Research and Policy (2020-present)
• Brunel Environment Subcommittee (member 2020-present)
• Member of London AWERB Chairs’ Hub (2020-present)
• Brunel University London Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body (AWERB) (Chair 2018-present, member since 2015, Deputy Chair 2017-2018)
• Brunel University London Research Ethics Committee (UREC) (member 2018-present)
• Royal Society of Biology (RSB) London Branch (Treasurer 2018-2024)
• NUS Green Impact - sustainability and green initiatives (Environmental Sciences Team, 2014-2019)