EDUCATION:
May 2000 Louisiana State University,
Department of Environmental Sciences
Master of Science, Environmental Science (Toxicology concentration)
Thesis title: Development of a Fast GC Method for Detection of Volatile Markers Associated With Decomposition for Forensic Investigations
May 1996 Troy State University, School of Arts and Sciences, Troy, AL
Bachelor of Science, Environmental Science, Cum Laude
EXPERIENCE:
April 2000 to present: Research Associate III
Louisiana State University, Department of Environmental Sciences, Baton Rouge, LA
Researcher and analytical chemist for the Response and Chemical Assessment Team (RCAT). Perform sample extraction, GC/FID and GC/MS analysis and interpretations for oil or chemical spills as requested by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Hazardous Materials Response Division or other spill responding agencies. Participate in all RCAT experimentation and instrumental analysis for contractually funded projects. Responsible for instrument maintenance, quality assurance/quality control, and troubleshooting.
January 2000 to April 2000 Contingent Laborer
LSU, Department of Environmental Sciences
Researcher and laboratory supervisor for RCAT. Increased responsibility for overseeing the experimentation and GC/MS data evaluation for various research projects. Contributed to data analysis and interpretation for report compilation and continued research on small, fast, field portable GC with the Instrument Development group.
January 1998 to December 1999 Graduate Research Assistant LSU, Department of Environmental Sciences
Researcher and laboratory assistant for the RCAT and Instrument Development Group. Performed the experimentation, GC/MS data evaluation and report compilation for the Mineral Management Service Gulf of Mexico region project titled "Studying and verifying the use of chemical biomarkers for identifying and quantitating oil residues in the environment." Researched small, fast, field portable GC with the Instrument Development group. Developed a GC and field sampling method to locate buried bodies based on bacterial degradation products.
PUBLICATIONS:
Overton, E.B., B.M. Ashton, and M.S. Miles. 2003. Historical polycyclic aromatic and petrogenic hydrocarbon loading in central Gulf of Mexico shelf sediments. Submitted, Marine Pollution Bulletin.
Overton, E.B., M.S. Miles and B.M. Ashton. 2003. Organics analysis, Chapter 2 in Historical Reconstruction of the Contaminant Loading and Biological Responses in the Central Gulf of Mexico. Submitted to the U.S. Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service, Gulf of Mexico OCS Regional Office, New Orleans, LA, OCS Study, MMS 2003-063.
Ashton, B.M., R.S. East, M.M. Walsh, M.S. Miles, and E.B. Overton. 2000. Studying and verifying the use of chemical biomarkers for identifying and quantitating oil residues in the environment. U.S. Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service, Gulf of Mexico OCS Regional Office, New Orleans, LA, OCS Study, MMS 2000-086.
