Name
Dr Steven D Melvin
Location
Griffith University Gold Coast, Building G51, Edmund Rice Drive, Southport, QLD 4215
Phone
+61 755 528 272
E-mail
s.melvin@griffith.edu.au
Links
ORCID ID: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5355-4213
SCOPUS ID: http://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=35867426600
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com.au/citations?user=RAWfwtQAAAAJ
Researcher ID: http://www.researcherid.com/rid/A-7068-2016
Twitter: https://twitter.com/smelvin18
Short bio
My research investigates integrated physiological and behavioural responses in fish and larval amphibians exposed to a wide range of environmental contaminants. I apply various cutting edge techniques, including NMR-based metabolomics and lipidomics, and powerful motion-tracking software, to study how widespread pollutants influence aquatic wildlife at multiple levels of biological organisation.
Position
Lecturer in the School of Environment and Science
Research Fellow in the Australian Rivers Institute
Diploma in University Teaching – University of New Brunswick (2009 – 2010)
MSc. Biology – University of New Brunswick (2006 – 2008)
BSc. Biology – University of New Brunswick (2003 – 2006)
Postdoctoral Fellow – Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University (2016 – present)
Postdoctoral Fellow – CQUniversity Australia (2013 – 2016)
Research Staff – University of Ottawa (2011-2012)
Research Staff – Griffith University (2010-2011)
WaterRA Project 1127 – Emerging Contaminants Management System – $93,582 (2020)
Principal Investigators: Fred DL Leusch, Peta Neale and Steven D Melvin
Griffith Sciences Industry Collaborative Grant Scheme – $14,885 (2018)
Title: Improving rehabilitation outcomes for sea turtles: Using metabolomics as a cost-effective tool to benchmark health and monitor recovery.
Principal Investigators: Steven D. Melvin and Jason van de Merwe
GBRMPA Reef Guardians Research Grants – $4,980 (2018)
Title: Understanding cumulative impacts on seagrass: Can metabolomics more accurately describe ecosystem health and potential tipping points.
Principal Investigators: Chris Brown, Laura Griffiths, and Steven D. Melvin
Griffith University New Researcher Grant – (2017)
Griffith University Postdoctoral Fellowship – (2016)
Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering (AINSE) – (2016)
NESP Tropical Water Quality Hub – (2015). Principal Investigators: Kroon F, Negri A, Kookana R, Lewis S, Davis A, O’Brien D, Leusch F, van de Merwe J, Neale P, Melvin SD, Mueller J, Warne M, Smith R, and King O
Ian Potter Foundation Science Grant – (2013)
Coal Minesite Rehabilitation Trust Fund – (2013). Principal Investigators: Steven D. Melvin and Scott P. Wilson
New Brunswick Wildlife Trust Fund – (2009). Principal Investigators: Jeff E. Houlahan, Steven D. Melvin, Megan K. Gahl, and Chris B. Edge
Melvin SD, Chaousis S, Finlayson K, Carroll AR, van de Merwe J. 2022. Field-scale monitoring of green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas): Influence of site characteristics and capture technique on the blood metabolome. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology – Part D: Genomics and Proteomics 44: 101026.
Weijs L, Covaci A, Carroll A, Kemper C, Melvin SD. 2022. Exploring lipid affinities of persistent organic pollutants and MeO-PBDEs in blubber of marine mammals. Chemosphere 308: 136448.
Lu H-L, Kang C-Q, Meng, Q-Y, Hu J-R, Melvin SD. 2022. Functional and hepatic metabolite changes in aquatic turtle hatchlings exposed to the anti-androgenic fungicide vinclozolin. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 231: 113220.
Islam R, Melvin SD, Yu RMK, O’Connor WA, Tran TKA, Andrew-Priestley M, Leusch FDL, MacFarlane GR. 2022. Estrogenic mixtures induce alterations in lipidomic profiles in the gonads of female oysters. Chemosphere 291: 132997.
Jacob H, Besson M, Oberhaensli F, Taylor A, Gillet B, Hughes S, Melvin SD, Bustamante P, Swarzenski PW, Lecchini D, Metian M. 2021. A multifaceted assessment of the effects of polyethylene microplastics on juvenile gilthead seabreams (Sparus aurata). Aquatic Toxicology 421: 106004.
Shreshtha N, Melvin SD, McKeating DR, Holland OJ, Cuffe JSM, Perkins AV, McAinch AJ, Hryciw DH. 2021. Sex-specific differences in Lysine, 3-Hydroxybutyric acid and acetic acid in offspring exposed to maternal and postnatal high linoleic acid diet, independent of diet. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 22: 10223.
Boco R, Pitt KA, Melvin SD. 2021. Ocean acidification impairs the physiology of symbiotic phyllosoma larvae of the lobster Thenus australiensis and their ability to detect cues from jellyfish. Science of the Total Environment 793: 148679.
Ford AT, Ågerstrand M, Brooks BW, Allen J, Bertram MG, Brodin T, Dang Z, Duquesne S, Sahm R, Hoffmann F, Hollert H, Jacob S, Klüver N, Lazorchak JM, Ledesma M, Melvin SD, Mohr S, Padilla S, Pyle GG, Scholz S, Saaristo M, Smit E, Steevens JA, van den Berg S, Kloas W, Wong BBM, Ziegler M, Maack G. 2021. The role of behavioral ecotoxicology in environmental protection. Environmental Science & Technology 55: 5620-5628.
Jacobson CO, Pitt KA, Carroll AR, Melvin SD. 2021. Chronic pesticide exposure elicits a subtle carry-over effect on the metabolome of Aurelia coerulea ephyrae. Environmental Pollution 275: 116641.
Melvin SD, March DT, Marshall K, Carroll AR, van de Merwe JP. 2021. Improving rehabilitation outcomes using metabolomics: Health, recovery and biomarkers of mortality in sick and injured green turtles (Chelonia mydas). Biological Conservation 254: 108943.
Islam R, Melvin SD, Yu RMK, O’Connor WA, Tran TKA, Andrew-Priestley M, Leusch FDL, MacFarlane GR. 2021. Exposure to estrogenic mixtures results in tissue-specific alterations to the metabolome of oysters. Aquatic Toxicology 231: 105722.
Chaousis S, Leusch FDL, Nouwens A, Melvin SD, van de Merwe JP. 2021. Changes in global protein expression in sea turtle cells exposed to common contaminants indicates new biomarkers of chemical exposure. Science of the Total Environment 751: 141680.
Boco SR, Pitt KA, Melvin SD. 2020. Coastal acidification and deoxygenation enhance settlement but do not influence movement behaviour of creeping polyps of the Irukandji jellyfish, Alatina alata (Cubozoa). Marine Environmental Research 162: 105175.
Jacobson CO, Pitt KA, Carroll AR, Melvin SD. 2020. Polyps of the jellyfish Aurelia aurita are unaffected by chronic exposure to a combination of pesticides. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 39: 1685-1692.
Lanctôt CM, Bednarz VN, Melvin SD, Jacob H, Oberhaensli F, Swarzenski PW, Ferrier-Pagès C, Carroll AR, Metian M. 2020. Physiological stress response of the scleractinian coral Stylophora pistillata exposed to polyethylene microplastics. Environmental Pollution 263A: 114559.
Griffiths LL, Melvin SD, Connolly RM, Pearson RM, Brown CJ. 2020. Metabolomic indicators for low-light stress in seagrass. Ecological Indicators 114: 106316.
Belivermis M, Swarzenki PW, Oberhänsli F, Melvin SD, Cayir A, Metian M. 2020. Effects of variable deoxygenation on trace element bioaccumulation and resulting metabolome profiles in the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis). Chemosphere 250: 126314.
Edge CB, Baker LF, Lanctôt CM, Melvin SD, Gahl MK, Kurban M, Navarro-Martín L, Kidd KA, Trudeau VL, Thompson DG, Mudge JF, Houlahan JE. 2020. Compensatory indirect effects of an herbicide on wetland communities. Science of the Total Environment 718: 137254.
Kroon FJ, Berry KLE, Brinkman DL, Kookana R, Leusch FDL, Melvin SD, Neale PA, Negri A, Puotinen M, Tsang JJ, van de Merwe JP, Williams M. 2020. Sources, presence and potential effects of contaminants of emerging concern in the marine environments of the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait, Australia. Science of the Total Environment 719: 135140.
Procházka E, Melvin SD, Escher BI, Plewa MJ, Leusch FDL. 2019. Global transcriptional changes in non-transformed human intestinal epithelial cells (FHs 74 Int) after exposure to selected drinking water disinfection by-products. Environmental Health Perspectives 127: 117006.
Sievers M, Hale R, Parris KM, Melvin SD, Lanctôt CL and SE Swearer. 2019. Contaminant-induced behavioural changes in amphibians: A meta-analysis. Science of the Total Environment 693: 133570.
Boco SR, Pitt KA, and SD Melvin. 2019. Extreme, but not moderate climate scenarios, impart sublethal effects on polyps of the Irukandji jellyfish, Carukia barnesi. Science of the Total Environment 685: 471-479.
Melvin SD, Lanctôt CM, Doriean NJC, Bennett WW, and AR Carroll. 2019. NMR-based lipidomics of fish from a metal(loid) contaminated wetland show differences consistent with effects on cellular membranes and energy storage. Science of the Total Environment 654: 284-291.
Melvin SD, Lanctôt CM, Doriean NJC, Carroll AR, and WW Bennett. 2018. Untargeted NMR-based metabolomics for field-scale monitoring: Temporal variability and biomarker discovery in mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) from a metal(loid)-contaminated wetland. Environmental Pollution 243: 1096-1105.
Melvin SD, Leusch FDL, and AR Carroll. 2018. Metabolite profiles of striped marsh frog (Limnodynastes peronii) larvae exposed to the anti-androgenic fungicides vinclozolin and propiconazole are consistent with altered steroidogenesis and oxidative stress. Aquatic Toxicology 199: 232-239.
Van de Merwe J, Neale PA, Melvin SD, and FDL Leusch. 2018. In vitro bioassays reveal that additives are significant contributors to the toxicity of commercial household pesticides. Aquatic Toxicology 199: 263-268.
Melvin SD, Jones OAH, Carroll AR, and FDL Leusch. 2018. 1H NMR-based metabolomics reveals interactive effects between the carrier solvent methanol and a pharmaceutical mixture in an amphibian developmental bioassay with Limnodynastes peronii. Chemosphere 199: 372-381.
Lanctôt CL, Cresswell T, and SD Melvin. 2017. Uptake and tissue distributions of cadmium, selenium and zinc in striped marsh frog tadpoles exposed during early post-embryonic development. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 144: 291-299.
Bosker T, Santoro G, and SD Melvin. 2017. Salinity and sensitivity to endocrine disrupting chemicals: A comparison of reproductive endpoints in small-bodied fish exposed under different salinities. Chemosphere 183: 186-196.
Lanctôt CL, Cresswell T, Callaghan PD, and SD Melvin. 2017. Bioaccumulation and biodistribution of selenium in metamorphosing tadpoles. Environmental Science & Technology 51:5764-5773.
Melvin SD, Petit MA, Duvignacq MC, and JP Sumpter. 2017. Towards improved behavioural testing in aquatic toxicology: Acclimation and observation times are important factors when designing behavioural tests with fish. Chemosphere 180: 430-436.
Lanctôt CL, Melvin SD, and T Cresswell. 2017. Selenium speciation influences bioaccumulation and tissue distribution in Limnodynastes peronii tadpoles exposed during larval development. Aquatic Toxicology 187: 1-8.
Melvin SD, Habener LJ, Leusch FDL, and AR Carroll. 2017. 1H NMR-based metabolomics reveals sub-lethal toxicity of a mixture of diabetic and lipid-regulating pharmaceuticals on amphibian larvae. Aquatic Toxicology 184: 123-132.
Melvin SD. Effect of antidepressants on circadian rhythms in fish: insights and implications regarding the design of behavioural toxicity tests. Aquatic Toxicology 182: 20-30.
Melvin SD, and FDL Leusch. 2016. Removal of trace organic contaminants from domestic wastewater: A meta-analysis comparison of sewage treatment technologies. Environment International 92-93: 183-188.
Melvin SD, Lanctôt CM, van de Merwe JP, and FDL Leusch. 2016. Altered bioenergetics and developmental effects in striped marsh frog (Limnodynastes peronii) tadpoles exposed to UV treated sewage. Aquatic Toxicology 175: 30-38.
Lanctôt CM, Wilson SP, Fabbro L, Leusch FDL, and SD Melvin. 2016. Comparative sensitivity of aquatic invertebrate and vertebrate species to wastewater from an operational coal mine in Central Queensland, Australia. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 129: 1-9.
Lanctôt C, Bennett W, Wilson S, Fabbro L, Leusch FDL, and SD Melvin. 2016. Behaviour, development and metal accumulation in striped marsh frog tadpoles (Limnodynastes peronii) exposed to coal mine wastewater. Aquatic Toxicology 173: 218-227.
Lanctôt C, Melvin SD, Fabbro L, Leusch FDL,and SP Wilson. 2016. Effects of coal mine wastewater on locomotor and non-locomotor activities of empire gudgeons (Hypseleotris compressa). Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 127: 36-42.
Melvin SD, Buck DR, and LD Fabbro. 2016. Diurnal activity patterns as a sensitive behavioural outcome in fish: Effect of short-term exposure to treated sewage and a sub-lethal PPCP mixture. Journal of Applied Toxicology 36: 1173-1182.
Lanctôt C, Melvin SD, Leusch FDL, Wilson S, and L Fabbro. 2016. Locomotor and behavioural responses of empire gudgeons (Hypseleotris compressa) exposed to coal mine wastewater. Chemosphere 144: 1560-1566.
Melvin SD. Short-term exposure to municipal wastewater influences energy, growth and swimming performance in juvenile Empire Gudgeons (Hypseleotris compressa). Aquatic Toxicology 170: 271-278.
Melvin SD. Oxidative stress, energy storage, and swimming performance of Limnodynastes peronii tadpoles exposed to a sub-lethal pharmaceutical mixture throughout development. Chemosphere 150: 790-797.
Melvin SD, Cameron MC, and CM Lanctôt. 2014. Individual and mixture toxicity of the pharmaceuticals naproxen, carbamazepine and sulfamethoxazole to Australian striped-marsh frog tadpoles (Limnodynastes peronii). Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A. 77: 337-345.
Melvin SD, and JE Houlahan. 2014. Simulating selective mortality on tadpole populations in the lab yields improved estimates of effect sizes in nature. Journal of Herpetology. 48(2): 195-202.
Melvin SD, and SP Wilson. 2013. The utility of behavioral studies for aquatic toxicology testing: A meta-analysis. Chemosphere. 93: 2217-2223.
Lanctôt C, Robertson C, Edge C, Navarro-Martín L, Melvin SD, Houlahan J, and VL Trudeau. 2013. Effects of the glyphosate-based herbicide Roundup WeatherMax® on metamorphosis of wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) in natural wetlands. Aquatic Toxicology. 140-141:48-57.
Melvin SD, Lanctôt CM, Craig PM, Moon TW, Peru KM, Headley JV, and VL Trudeau. 2013. Effects of naphthenic acid exposure on development and liver metabolic processes in anuran tadpoles. Environmental Pollution. 177:22-27.
Melvin SD, and VL Trudeau. 2012. Growth, development and incidence of deformities in amphibian larvae exposed as embryos to naphthenic acid concentrations detected in the Canadian oil sands region. Environmental Pollution. 167:178-183.
Melvin SD, and VL Trudeau. 2012. Toxicity of naphthenic acids to wood frog tadpoles (Lithobates sylvaticus). Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A. 75:1-4.
Melvin SD, and JE Houlahan. 2012. Tadpole mortality varies across experimental venues: Do laboratory populations predict responses in nature? Oecologia. 169:861-868.
Van den Heuvel MR, Martel PH, Kovacs TG, MacLatchy DL, Van Der Kraak GJ, Parrott JL, McMaster ME, O’Connor BI, Melvin SD, and LM Hewitt. 2010. Evaluation of short-term fish reproductive bioassays for predicting effects of a Canadian bleached kraft mill effluent. Water Quality Research Journal of Canada. 45(2): 175-186.
Melvin SD, Munkittrick KR, Bosker T, and DL MacLatchy. 2009. Detectable effect size and bioassay power of mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) and fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) adult reproductive tests. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 28(11): 2416-2425.
Bosker T, Hewitt LM, Munkittrick KR, Melvin SD, and DL MacLatchy. 2009. The effects of final treated effluent and in-mill waste streams from a Canadian thermomechanical pulp and paper mill on mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) reproduction. Water Quality Research Journal of Canada. 44(4): 333-344.
Queensland Representative – SETAC Australasia Executive Committee (2017 – 2019)
D. Thesis nominated for Governor General’s Academic Gold Medal (2012)
Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry award for Ph.D. presentation (Laurentian AGM – 2nd)