Dr. John Stegeman is Sr. Scientist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution* and Director of the Woods Hole Center for Oceans and Human Health. He has long interest in the connections between ocean health and human health. He received a BA in biology From St. Mary’s College (now University) in Minnesota in 1966, and 1972 was awarded the Ph.D. in biology and biochemistry from Northwestern University in Illinois. He has studied chemical metabolism and effects, primarily in aquatic models, for more than 35 years. This work has centered on the structure, function and regulation of genes and enzymes that metabolize drugs, chemicals, natural products and hormones. Research has included studies of carcinogenesis in fish in polluted environments, molecular biomarkers of chemical exposure in fish, birds, whales and humans, and the mechanisms by which chemicals act to cause disease, in adult and developmental stages of vertebrates. Current studies focus on neurodevelopmental effects of chemicals, especially PCBs, in the zebrafish model, as well as the origin and evolution of the complex cytochrome P450 gene superfamily. His interests in ocean health include understanding chemical effects in the coastal waters as well as the deep ocean. Dr. Stegeman has authored or co-authored over 300 publications, In education he has trained over 30 Ph.D. and postdoctoral students, and served many years on the Biology Committee for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology/Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Joint Doctoral Program.
Dr. Stegeman has lectured at venues around the world, including twice at the United Nations. He has served on Editorial Boards of numerous journals, and served as Editor or Associate Editor of several. He has served on NIH review panels, and on Advisory Boards of Environmental Health Sciences Centers in the U.S. Dr. Stegeman served as Chair of the Science Advisory Board of the National Toxicology Program (NTP, NIH), and served on committees for the National Research Council, and served 8 years (4 as Chair) on the National Academy of Medicine Committee to assess Health Effects of Agent Orange in Vietnam Veterans. He was named a Lifetime Associate of the National Academy of Sciences, and is a Fellow of the AAAS. In 2008 he was awarded a Doctor of Science degree honoris causa from Gothenburg University in Sweden, for his influence on the growth of ecotoxicology worldwide, especially the impact on students. In 2017 he was awarded a Doctor of Science degree honoris causa from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota. Dr. Stegeman served as chair of the Biology Department at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution from 2000-2006. He has been Director of the NSF/NIH Woods Hole Center for Oceans and Human Health, since 2004.
* The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is a private non-profit (largely grant funded) research and education institution.