Ashley Boggs-Russell (Fed)

Dr. Ashley Boggs works in the fields of vertebrate endocrinology and endocrine disruption, which she combines with analytical chemistry techniques to develop measurement solutions for clinical, wildlife, and aquacultural applications and research. Current research projects include the development of multi-analyte measurement methods for steroid, thyroid, and protein hormones, development of clinical standard reference materials (SRMs), and development of endocrine measurement methods for alternative matrices from non-model species. She is a Research Biologist and has been with the Biochemical and Exposure Science Group located at the Hollings Marine Laboratory in Charleston, SC, since 2013.

Dr. Boggs’ expertise support endocrine research and clinical diagnostics through development of multi-analyte measurement methods for steroid, thyroid, and protein hormones using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and high resolution mass spectrometry. She works with the clinical community by maintaining clinical standard reference materials (SRMs) to underpin measurements on hormones for accurate diagnostics and develops new measurement methods and SRMs to harmonize and standardize endocrine measurements for the community.  During her career at NIST she has developed new SRMs specific to thyroid health during pregnancy (SRM 1949), new measurement methods for steroid pathway analysis, and comprehensive thyroid hormone measurement methods.

Dr. Boggs’ work also supports endocrine research and applications to aquaculture and wildlife.  Working with universities, non-governmental organizations, and state and federal government agencies, Dr. Boggs develops multi-analyte measurement methods using remotely collected matrices and other matrices alternative to blood, to increase the information gathered from small samples, limit stress to the study species, and reduce monetary expenses of collection and assessment.  She has developed and applied a method to measure stress and reproductive hormones in remotely collected blubber biopsies from marine mammal species.  Currently she is assisting in the development of in-field biomarker assays for fish reproduction through mucus samples to increase aquacultural yields and monitor sport, game, and endangered fish species.

Masters student opportunities through the College of Charleston and postdoctoral fellowship opportunities through the National Research Council Research Associateship Programs in the areas of endocrinology and endocrine disruption are available.

Professional Awards and Recognition

• First place poster in Biology/Chemistry at the Sigma Xi NIST Postdoctoral Poster Symposium, 2014
• National Research Council postdoctoral fellowship, 2012-2015
• First place poster Envirotox/SETAC Australasia, 2011
• NASA Graduate Student Research Program fellowship, 2009-2011