Lee Ferguson, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Duke University

Contact Information

919-660-5460

lee.ferguson@duke.edu

Research Interests

Research in the Ferguson laboratory is focused on development of novel methods for trace analysis of organic and nanoparticulate contaminants in the aquatic environment. Specifically, the laboratory uses high performance mass spectrometry techniques (e.g. UHPLC-Orbitrap MS/MS) to detect, identify, and quantify emerging contaminants (including endocrine disruptors, pharmaceuticals, and surfactants) in wastewater and drinking water. Another significant research thrust involves the development of sensitive trace analytical techniques for quantifying and characterizing single-walled carbon nanotubes in water, sediment, and aquatic organism tissues. For this work, near infrared fluorescence spectroscopy (NIRF) is used as a primary tool for resolving these novel nanoparticulate contaminants in highly complex environmental mixtures.

CEINT Publications

M. D. Montaño, Liu, K. , Sabo-Attwood, T. , and Ferguson, P. L. , “Analysis of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes in Estuarine Sediments by Density Gradient Ultracentrifugation Coupled to Near-Infrared Fluorescence Spectroscopy Reveals Disassociation of Residual Metal Catalyst Nanoparticles”, Environmental Science & Technology, 2020.

N. K. Geitner, Cooper, J. L. , Avellan, A. , Castellon, B. T. , Perrotta, B. G. , Bossa, N. , Simonin, M. , Anderson, S. M. , Inoue, S. , Hochella, M. F. , Richardson, C. John, Bernhardt, E. S. , Lowry, G. V. , Ferguson, P. L. , Matson, C. W. , King, R. S. , Unrine, J. M. , Wiesner, M. R. , and Hsu-Kim, H. , “Size-Based Differential Transport, Uptake, and Mass Distribution of Ceria (CeO2) Nanoparticles in Wetland Mesocosms”, Environmental Science & Technology, 2018.

A. N. Parks, Chandler, T. G. , Ho, K. T. , Burgess, R. M. , and Ferguson, P. L. , “Environmental biodegradability of C-14 single-walled carbon nanotubes by Trametes versicolor and natural microbial cultures found in New Bedford Harbor sediment and aerated wastewater treatment plant sludge”, Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, vol. 34, no. 2, pp. 247 - 251, 2015.

A. N. Parks, Portis, L. M. , Schierz, A. P. , Washburn, K. M. , Perron, M. M. , Burgess, R. M. , Ho, K. T. , Chandler, T. G. , and Ferguson, P. L. , “Bioaccumulation and toxicity of single-walled carbon nanotubes to benthic organisms at the base of the marine food chain”, Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, vol. 32, no. 6, pp. 1270 - 1277, 2013.

A. N. Parks, Chandler, T. G. , Portis, L. M. , Sullivan, J. C. , Perron, M. M. , Cantwell, M. G. , Burgess, R. M. , Ho, K. T. , and Ferguson, P. L. , “Effects of single-walled carbon nanotubes on the bioavailability of PCBs in field-contaminated sediments”, Nanotoxicology, pp. 1 - 7, 2013.

A. P. Schierz, Parks, A. N. , Washburn, K. M. , Chandler, T. G. , and Ferguson, P. L. , “Characterization and Quantitative Analysis of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes in the Aquatic Environment Using Near-Infrared Fluorescence Spectroscopy”, Environmental Science & Technology, vol. 46, no. 22, pp. 12262 - 12271, 2012.

S. Yang, Parks, A. N. , Saba, S. A. , Ferguson, P. L. , and Liu, J. , “Photoluminescence from Inner Walls in Double-Walled Carbon Nanotubes: Some Do, Some Do Not”, Nano Lett., vol. 11, pp. 4405-4410, 2011.

W. P. Ela, Sedlak, D. L. , Barlaz, M. A. , Henry, H. F. , Muir, D. C. G. , Swackhamer, D. L. , Weber, E. J. , Arnold, R. G. , Ferguson, P. L. , Field, J. A. , Furlong, E. T. , Giesy, J. P. , Halden, R. U. , Henry, T. , Hites, R. A. , Hornbuckle, K. C. , Howard, P. H. , Luthy, R. G. , Meyer, A. K. , Saez, A. E. , vom Saal, F. S. , Vulpe, C. D. , and Wiesner, M. R. , “Toward Identifying the Next Generation of Superfund and Hazardous Waste Site Contaminants”, Environmental Health Perspectives, vol. 119, pp. 6-10, 2011.

K. Fvd, Ferguson, P. L. , PA, H. , A, M. , KR, R. , Klaine, S. J. , Koelmans AA, , Horne, M. , and Unrine, J. M. , “Analysis of Engineered Nanomaterials in Complex Matrices (Environment & Biota): General Considerations Considerations and Conceptual Case Studies.”, Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, vol. 31, pp. 32-49, 2012.