Monique Gagnon

Research interests focus on the impacts of petroleum exploration and production and the associated potential effects on the marine environment, especially on fish health. By using biochemical markers of health, her research is able to detect exposure to, and effects of, low level contamination on fish following exposure to petroleum hydrocarbons or to metals. Monique has lead the team of researchers in the assessment of impacts following the Montara oil spill on fish, as well as providing professional advice to the Commonwealth government on the opening/closure of commercial fisheries potentially affected by the spill. Other current research interests include chronic impacts of exposure to endocrine disruption, and urban contamination. Special interests in research are focused on the chronic impacts of oil spills, on the discharge of PFWs from petroleum production offshore platforms, as well as on the toxicity of drilling muds used in the petroleum exploration industry. In order to limit impacts of drilling muds in the marine environment, she has provided advice to drilling programs in extremely sensitive areas such as the Botany Bay Cable Project. Monique is currently part of the Oil Spill Emergency Response Team for 3 petroleum companies based in Western Australia.