Dept. of Zoology, University of Florida     223 Bartram Hall, PO Box 118525     Gainesville, FL 32611-8525     352.392.1098     ljg@zoology.ufl.edu

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Distinguished Professor of Zoology Professor - Howard Hughes Medical Institute Director - HHMI UF G.A.T.O.R. Program The mechanisms by which environmental factors influence the evolution, development and functioning of the reproduction system in vertebrates is the focus of my research. Specifically, I work in three main areas: the influence of contaminants on the developmental and reproductive biology of wildlife and humans, endangered species reproduction and the evolution of maternal-fetal chemical communication. The effects of contaminants on wildlife have been studied for more than 30 years, since the publication of Rachel Carson's Silent Spring. My work over the last decade has focused on the ability of environmental contaminants to mimic chemical messengers (hormones) and alter functioning of the reproductive and endocrine systems. Although considered rare until a decade ago, evidence that many types of chemicals, such as some pesticides, industrial chemicals and detergent products, alter the signaling systems in our bodies and those of wildlife species is common. These chemicals have been widely reported as "Environmental Estrogens" but have numerous actions beyond mimicry of estrogenic hormones. (more information on our work). I also have an active program in the mentoring of research, based in part, working with UF undergraduates interested in biology. This program, the G.A.T.O.R. program, is funded by a Professorship from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Undergraduate students discover biology by actively working with graduate students on research projects. Our laboratory also participates in an NSF funded REU program, where students from other universities come to UF each summer for research experiences and the HHMI UF 'Science for Life' program. Students interested in tradiational biology training should consider a UF major in Zoology or Biology offered in the departments of Zoology and Botany within the college of Liberal Arts and Sciences. For more information on the research programs in my lab, go to the Undergraduate Information bar above.

Lou gathering a blood sample from a juvenile alligator to test for environmental contaminants at Lake Apopka, Florida.