Profile

Patricia Hunt

Patricia Hunt

Regents Professor 509-335-4954    

Patricia Hunt is a Regents Professor in the School of Molecular Biosciences at Washington State University, Pullman, WA. Her research focuses on understanding the high frequency of chromosomally abnormal eggs produced by human females and why the incidence is so strongly impacted by advancing maternal age. She remains fascinated by this complex problem, but the accidental exposure of her mice to bisphenol A (BPA) in 1998 diverted her attention to the effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals. Her studies in mice, monkeys, and humans have provided insight to the effects of EDCs on both the male and female germline, the effects of successive generations of exposure, and contributed to our understanding of EDC pharmacokinetics and the accuracy of current analytical methods for their measurement. Dr. Hunt is particularly interested in science communication and is dedicated to ensuring that future trainees not only will be outstanding scientists but easily able to communicate their findings to the general public. She recently developed a new course, ECHO (Endocrine disrupting chemicals: Hazards and Opportunities) at the MBL, Woods Hole that is designed to provide a bridging experience for the multiple disciplines involved in assessing the environmental and biological effects of the endocrine disrupting chemicals that have become prominent environmental contaminants.

Affiliate and Adjunct Appointments

  • Adjunct, Center for Reproductive Biology

Education

  • BA, Genetics, Michigan State University, 1977
  • MS, Genetics, University of Hawaii, 1979
  • PhD, Reproductive Biology, University of Hawaii, 1983

Certifications

  • Board certified, with who, (Diplomate acronym), description

Research Interest

  • Mammalian gametogenesis
  • Meiosis
  • Reproductive effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals

Publications

Professional Service

  • Co-developer, new MBL Woods Hole course: ECHO, 2020
  • Board of Directors, Washington Academy of Sciences, 2021
  • Editorial Board Member, NIH Director’s Early Independence Research Program, 2019-2021
  • External Advisory Board, GermAge, A European Commission sponsored program of research, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany, 2015-2020
  • Science Advisory Board, Women’s Voices for the Earth, 2014-present
  • External Advisory Committee, COBRE grant, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, 2014-2017
  • Board Member, Frontiers in Reproduction, 2012-2017
  • Invited Participant, NICHD Scientific Vision Workshop on Developmental Origins of Health and Disease, 2011
  • External Advisory Committee, University of Iowa Formative Children’s Center, 2011-2019
  • Reviewer, National Institutes of Health, CMIR review panel, (Chair 2013 – 2014), 2011-2014
  • External Advisory Committee Member, COBRE grant, University of Hawaii, 2011-present
  • Board Member, Society for the Study of Reproduction, 2009-2012
  • Program Chair, Society for the Study of Reproduction annual meeting, 2009
  • Advisory Committee member, UCSF Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, 2007-2018
  • Advisory Board Member, Environmental Media Services/Science Communication Network, 2005-present
  • Co-director, Frontiers in Reproduction: Molecular and Cellular Concepts and Applications, a 6 week advanced training course held annually at the Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, 2001-2004
  • Awards Committee Member, Society for the Study of Reproduction, 2000-2004
  • Member, Reproductive Biology Study Section, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 2000-2002
  • Chair, Gordon Research Conference on Mammalian Embryogenesis and Gametogenesis (Vice-Chair for the 2000 meeting), 2002
  • Co-organizer, “Egg futures: 2000 and beyond”, Frontiers in Reproduction Symposium, Boston, June 15-17, 2000
  • Member, Management of Fertility Working Group, a part of the overall strategic planning process for National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 1999
  • Participant, Program Planning Forum for the Reproductive Sciences Branch, National Institutes of Health, 1998

Honors and Awards

  • Regents Professor, WSU, 2022
  • Pioneer Award, Frontiers in Reproduction Symposium, 2022
  • SSR Distinguished Fellowship, 2021
  • WSU Distinguished Faculty Address, 2020
  • Hartman Award, Society for the Study of Reproduction, 2018
  • Elected member, Washington State Academy of Sciences, 2015
  • Zoetis Veterinary Research Award, Washington State University, 2014
  • Jacob Heskel Gabby Award in Biotechnology and Medicine, Brandeis University, 2012
  • Beacon Award, Frontiers in Reproduction Symposium, 2010
  • Sci Am 50 Award (Scientific American’s list of top 50 researchers for 2007), 2007
  • Society for the Study of Reproduction, 1990-present

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