Monika Mortimer
Dr Monika Mortimer
Former SCIEX researcher - Research Scientist at UC CEIN, University of California, Santa Barbara (USA) - Protozoa, nanoparticles, ecotoxicity
RESEARCH INTEREST
Interactions of engineered nanoparticles with biological systems: determining the potential harmful effects of nanoparticles, including oxidative stress, modification of membrane permeability, influence on energetic metabolism, at cellular, organelle, and organism levels.
EDUCATION
| 2011 | PhD in Chemistry and Gene Technology, Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia. Evaluation of the Biological Effects of Engineered Nanoparticles on Unicellular Pro- and Eukaryotic Organisms. |
| 2006 | Master of Science in Natural Sciences, Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia. Catalytic Activity and Oxygenation Specificity of 11R-lipoxygenase. |
| 2004 | Bachelor of Science in Natural Sciences, Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia |
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
| 2007 – 2012 | Research scientist, Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics, Tallinn, Estonia |
| 2006 – 2007 | Engineer, Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics, Tallinn, Estonia |
| 2002 – 2006 | Technician, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia |
ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES
| 2010 – 2012 | Secretary of Estonian Society of Toxicology |
| 2007 - today | Member of Estonian Society of Toxicology |
| Reviewer for Journal of Hazardous Materials, Environmental Science and Technology, Aquatic Toxicology, Environmental Toxicology. |
- Mortimer, M.; Kasemets, K.; Heinlaan, M.; Kurvet, I.; Kahru, A. (2008). High throughput kinetic Vibrio fischeri bioluminescence inhibition assay for study of toxic effects of nanoparticles. Toxicology in Vitro 22, 1412 - 1417. ( doi: 10.1016/j.tiv.2008.02.011)
- Mortimer, M.; Jarving, R.; Brash, AR.; Samel, N.; Jarving, I. (2006). Identification and characterization of an arachidonate 11R-lipoxygenase. Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics 445, 147 -155. ( doi: 10.1016/j.abb.2005.10.023 )
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
- Mortimer, M.; Juganson, K.; Kasemets, K.; Kahru, A. Nanosized CuO changes the fatty acid composition of protozoan membranes. International Conference on Biological Responses to Nanoscale Particles, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany, September 11 – 15, 2011.
- Mortimer, M.; Vodovnik, M.; Marinšek Logar, R.; Kahru, A. Effects of copper oxide nanoparticles on cell membrane fatty acid composition of protozoa Tetrahymena thermophila. In: Abstract book: Nanotoxicology 2010, Edinburgh, June 2-4, 110.
- Mortimer, M.; Kasemets, K.; Kahru, A. Ciliated protozoa Tetrahymena thermophila - a particle-ingesting model organism for nanotoxicological studies. 4th International Conference "Environmental Effects of Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials", Vienna, Austria, Sept. 6-9, 2009.
- Mortimer, M.; Kasemets, K.; Kahru, A. Toxicity of ZnO and CuO nanoparticles to ciliated protozoa Tetrahymena thermophila. International Conference on the Environmental Implications and Applications of Nanotechnology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA, June 9-11, 2009, 41.
- Mortimer, M.; Blinova, I.; Kasemets, K.; Kahru, A. Toxicity of metal oxide and organic (nano)particles to ciliated protozoa Tetrahymena thermophila. 15th International Congress on In Vitro Toxicology, Stockholm, Sweden, Sept. 25-28, 2008.
- Mortimer, M.; Kasemets, K.; Kurvet, I.; Heinlaan, M.; Kahru, A. Kinetic bioluminescence inhibition assay for study of toxic effects of colored and/or turbid samples and nanoparticles: microplate versus tube luminometer formats. 25th Workshop of the Scandinavian Society for Cell Toxicology, Salzau, Germany, Sept. 19 - 22, 2007, 41 – 41.
Publications
Juganson, K.; Mortimer, M.; Ivask, A.; Kasemets, K.; Kahru, A. Extracellular conversion of silver ions into silver nanoparticles by the ciliated protozoan Tetrahymena thermophila. Journal of Environmental Monitoring (submitted).