Christopher Salice

Research Interests

Dr. Salice’s research interest is broadly focused on understanding and predicting the effects of anthropogenic activities on ecological systems. His lab uses field research, laboratory studies and mathematical modeling to address problems in applied ecology, conservation and ecotoxicology. A strong focus of current research lies in using bio- and eco-energetic frameworks to understand the effects of environmental toxicants on aquatic systems. A key challenge in managing environmental systems is the disconnect between how data are frequently generated (in the lab, on a single species) and the complexity of systems we want to protect (communities and ecosystems).

His lab is working on using the universal currency of life – energy – as a way to build a mechanistic understanding of anthropogenic stress in an ecological context. Additionally, the lab has had a strong interest in reptile and amphibian ecology and ecotoxicology. A large element of his research program over the past decade+ has been studying the impacts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on aquatic and terrestrial ecological systems. Students in the Salice lab will eventually be expected to conduct independent research but are usually trained by working on existing projects within the lab. Students are also encouraged to participate in research conferences and to, ideally, publish their work.

Recent Publications

Visit Dr. Salice's ResearchGate Page

Visit Dr. Salice's Google Scholar Page

*indicated graduate student author

East, A.G., Anderson, R.H., Duncan, C.M., Salice, C.J. 2025. Surface soil PFAS mixtures dominated by PFOS: Prioritization for ecotoxicity testing and ecological risk assessment at current and former U.S. Air Force Bases. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, in press.

Kikanme, K.N., Karnjanapiboonwong, A., Angappan, R., Dennis, N.M., Hossain, F., Suski, J.G., Salice, C.J., Anderson, T.A. 2025. Maternal transfer and sex-differences in brain bioaccumulation for Northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) exposed to per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 289.

*Bilbo, T.R., Dawson, D.E., Salice, C.J. 2024. The challenge of assessing multiple stressors in freshwater ecosystems: nonintuitive interactions between pesticide exposure and larval crowding. Frontiers in Freshwater Science 17 January 2024.


*Baltzer, P.J., Moore, J., Salice, C.J., Beauchamp, V.B. 2024. The effects of legacy sediment removal and floodplain reconnection on riparian plan communities. Wetlands 44(15).

*Hossain, Farzana, Dennis, N.M., Karnjanapiboonwong, A., Subbiah, S., Longwell, A.S. Suski, J.G., Salice, C.J., Anderson, T.A. 2024. Evaluation of the chronic reproductive toxicity of a fluorine-free firefighting foam and a short-chain fluorinated foam to Northern Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus). Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 43(1):211-221.

Suski, J.G., Chanov, M.K., Heron, C.G., Field, J.A., Salice, C.J. 2023. Ecotoxicity and accumulation of perfluorononanoic acid in the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) and an approach to developing protective thresholds in the aquatic environment through species sensitivity distribution. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 42(10):2229-2236.

Brown, A.S., Yun, X., McKenzie, E.R., Heron, C.G., Field, J.A., Salice, C.J. 2023. Spatial and temporal variability of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in environmental media of a small pond: Toward and improved understanding of PFAS bioaccumulation in fish. Science of the Total Environment 880:163149.

Bean, T.G., Beasley, V.R., Berny, P., Eisenreich, K.M., Elliott, J.E., Eng, M.L., Fuchsman, P.C., Johnson, M.S., King, M.D., Mateo, R., Meyer, C.B., Salice, C.J. Rattner, B.A. 2023. Toxicological effects assessment for wildlife in 21st century: Review of current methods and recommendations for a path forward. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management.

Rattner, B.A., Bean, T.B., Beasley, V.R., Berny, P., Eisenreich, K.M., Elliott, J.E., Eng, M.L., Fuchsman, P.C., Johnson, M.S., King, M.D., Mateo, R., Meyer, C.B., O’Brien, J.M., Salice, C,J. 2023. Wildlife ecological risk assessment in the 21st century: Promising technologies to assess toxicological effects. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management. 

*Lanasa, S., **Niedzwiecki, M., Reber, K.P., East, A., Sivey, J., Salice, C.J. 2022. Comparative toxicity of herbicide active ingredients, safener additives, and commercial formulations to non-target algae, Raphidocelis subcapitata. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 41(6):1466-1476. 

 
*Hossain, Farzana, Dennis, N.M., Karnjanapiboonwong, A., Subbiah, S., Longwell, A.S. Suski, J.G., Salice, C.J., Anderson, T.A. 2024. Evaluation of the chronic reproductive toxicity of a fluorine-free firefighting foam and a short-chain fluorinated foam to Northern Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus). Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 43(1):211-221.

Suski, J.G., Chanov, M.K., Heron, C.G., Field, J.A., Salice, C.J. 2023. Ecotoxicity and accumulation of perfluorononanoic acid in the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) and an approach to developing protective thresholds in the aquatic environment through species sensitivity distribution. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 42(10):2229-2236.

Brown, A.S., Yun, X., McKenzie, E.R., Heron, C.G., Field, J.A., Salice, C.J. 2023. Spatial and temporal variability of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in environmental media of a small pond: Toward and improved understanding of PFAS bioaccumulation in fish. Science of the Total Environment 880:163149.

Bean, T.G., Beasley, V.R., Berny, P., Eisenreich, K.M., Elliott, J.E., Eng, M.L., Fuchsman, P.C., Johnson, M.S., King, M.D., Mateo, R., Meyer, C.B., Salice, C.J. Rattner, B.A. 2023. Toxicological effects assessment for wildlife in 21st century: Review of current methods and recommendations for a path forward. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management.

Rattner, B.A., Bean, T.B., Beasley, V.R., Berny, P., Eisenreich, K.M., Elliott, J.E., Eng, M.L., Fuchsman, P.C., Johnson, M.S., King, M.D., Mateo, R., Meyer, C.B., O’Brien, J.M., Salice, C,J. 2023. Wildlife ecological risk assessment in the 21st century: Promising technologies to assess toxicological effects. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management.