Rebecca Lyons Ph.D.
Professor
Chemistry
About
Rebecca Lyons investigates the distribution and transport mechanisms of trace organic pollutants across physical boundaries. Her primary focus is the endocrine-disrupting compound 4-nonylphenol, which acts as an estrogen mimic in many organisms. This compound enters the environment associated with pesticides in California’s Central Valley and is transported in both dust and aerosol forms to the Eastern Sierra.
4-nonylphenol has been detected in humans, particularly those living in regions with high pesticide use. Professor Lyons conducts GIS-assisted ecotoxicology studies examining correlations between geographic location and urinary concentrations of 4-nonylphenol, while evaluating multiple detection methods for screening this endocrine disruptor.
Because organic pollutants are transported in both dust and aerosol phases, her research group is developing an in situ sampler capable of separating these forms to improve field sampling and transport analysis.
Professor Lyons also studies Zostera marina (eelgrass), a critical intertidal species. In the San Juan Islands of Washington state, eelgrass populations have declined by approximately 70 percent over the past two decades, threatening ecosystem stability and local fisheries. Her research examines whether pesticide contamination in submarine groundwater might be linked to this decline.
Education
- Ph.D., environmental chemistry, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry
- M.S., environmental chemistry, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry
- M.A., science education (chemistry and general science), State University of New York at Cortland
- B.S., biochemistry, University of Washington
Professional Background
Rebecca Lyons is an environmental chemist who teaches general, physical, and environmental chemistry. Her curricula emphasize spatial analysis and GIS as analytical tools. She directs undergraduate research in environmental chemistry and GIS-based projects involving fieldwork in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the San Juan Islands of Washington state, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. She has received significant support from the Keck Foundation and the Esri Spatial Communities of Practice. Professor Lyons joined University of Redlands in 2011 and has mentored more than 20 undergraduate researchers.
Academic Experience
- Assistant professor, University of Redlands, 2011–present
- Adjunct faculty, Onondaga Community College, 2010–2011
- Adjunct faculty, State University of New York at Plattsburgh, 2009–2010
- Research assistant, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, 2007–2009
- National Science Foundation Graduate Teaching Fellow, 2003–2007
Areas of Expertise
- Environmental chemistry
- 4-nonylphenol
- Geographic information systems (GIS)
Publications
- Lyons, R. A.; Benevenuti, L. Deposition and Distribution Factors for the Endocrine Disruptor 4-Nonylphenol in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA. J. Environ. Anal. Toxicol. 2016, 6(4).
- Lyons, R. A.; McIntyre, B.; Jensen, L. Phosphorus Loading Rates in Lakes with Development and Stocked Fish in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA. Ecosphere 2016, accepted.
- Lyons, R.; Moore, S.; Smith, D.; Van de Bittner, K. Mile-High Chemistry: Spatially Enabled Water Quality Research in California. In STEM and GIS in Higher Education; Cowen, D., Ed.; Esri Press: Redlands, California, 2016.
- Lyons, R.; Van de Bittner, K.; Morgan-Jones, S. Deposition Patterns and Transport Mechanisms for the Endocrine Disruptor 4-Nonylphenol across the Sierra Nevada Mountains, California. Environ. Pollut. 2014, 195, 123–132.
- Lyons, R. A. (née Jarrell); Cabasso, I.; Hassett, J. P.; Flach, A. M. Development of Thin-Layer Polymers to Concentrate and Detect Aquatic Contaminants. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2012. https://doi.org/10.1002/app.37857.
Invited Presentations
- Eelgrass Decline: Critical Field Data Using Collector for ArcGIS. Esri User Conference, 2016.
- Endocrine Disruptor Transport: Workflow and Analysis. Los Angeles Geospatial Summit, 2016.
- Phosphorus Loading Rates in Lakes with Shoreline Development and Stocked Fish. American Geophysical Union Meeting, 2015.
- Submarine Groundwater Discharge and Eelgrass Decline. American Chemical Society National Meeting, 2015.
- Solid-Phase Microextraction with Polystyrene–Poly(dimethylsiloxane) Block Copolymers. American Chemical Society National Meeting, 2015.
- Distribution of 4-Nonylphenol and Topographical Sheltering Effects. American Geophysical Union Meeting, 2013.
- From Field to Web: Advantages of ArcGIS Explorer Online. Esri User Conference, 2012.
- Predictive Models for Gasoline Concentrations in Southern California Surface Waters. American Chemical Society National Meeting, 2012.
- Real-Time Sensing Buoy Using Thin-Film Polymer Traps. Pacifichem Conference, 2010.
Awards and Service
- Spatial Communities of Practice Grant, 2015–2017
- National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates, Friday Harbor Laboratories, University of Washington, 2014
- Best Use of GIS Award, Cal GIS Annual Conference, 2013
- Outstanding Teaching Award, Faculty Research Committee, 2013
- Honorary Alumna, Kappa Pi Zeta, environmental sorority, 2013
- Keck Foundation LENS Fellowship for Spatial Learning, 2012
Affiliations
- American Chemical Society, 2005–present
- Sigma Xi: The Scientific Research Honor Society, 2006–2011
- American Geophysical Union, 2012–present
Courses Taught
- Chemistry 102: Introduction to Chemistry of the Environment
- Chemistry 131/131L-132/132L: General Chemistry and General Chemistry Laboratory
- Chemistry 260/360: May term — Mile High Chemistry/Environmental Modeling
- Chemistry 312: Advanced Environmental Chemistry
- Chemistry 331and 332: Physical Chemistry