P. Lee Ferguson

Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Dr. Ferguson is an Environmental Analytical Chemist who joined Duke in 2009 after six years as an assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at the University of South Carolina.

Research in the Ferguson laboratory is focused on development and application of analytical methods for measuring organic pollutants in the environment. Specifically, a major thrust of research in the lab involves the application of high resolution mass spectrometry to detect, identify, and quantify emerging contaminants in wastewater and drinking water. His recent work has centered on the development of non-targeted analysis workflows and methods, assessment of polyfluorinated alkyl substances in water and wastewater, and leaching and bioaccessibility of polymer-associated chemicals from microplastic particles in the aquatic environment. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed chapters and journal articles, serves on advisory councils for several organizations focused on emerging pollutants in the environment, and has testified before the U.S. Senate on environmental health concerns related to nanotechnology. In North Carolina, he helped lead the formation of the NC PFAS Testing Network to assess statewide drinking water contamination from PFAS chemicals.

Appointments and Affiliations

Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Associate Professor in the Division of Marine Science and Policy

Contact Information

Office Location: 534 Research Dr., Wilkinson Building, Room 205, Durham, NC 27708
Office Phone: +1 919 660 5460
Email Address: lee.ferguson@duke.edu
Websites:

Education

Ph.D. State University of New York, Stony Brook, 2002

Research Interests

Environmental analytical chemistry and applications of high resolution mass spectrometry to trace organic contaminant analysis
Environmental fate of per-and-polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in the environment
Polymer additives and microplastics in the aquatic environment
Mechanisms of environmental endocrine disruption in aquatic organisms

Awards, Honors, and Distinctions

Applied Research Fellowship. North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. 2022
Kavli Frontiers of Science Fellow. National Academy of Sciences. 2011
Outstanding Performance Award. Fundamental Science Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. 2003
President's Award to Distinguished Doctoral Students. Stony Brook University. 2002
Honorable Mention. National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship Competition. 1998
U.S. EPA STAR Graduate Fellowship. Environmental Protection Agency. 1998
Belle W. Baruch Outstanding Undergrduate in Marine Science Award. University of South Carolina. 1997
Howard Hughes Undergraduate Research Fellow. University of South Carolina. 1996
Senior Scholars Scholarship. University of South Carolina. 1996
Undergraduate Research Fellow, South Carolina EPSCoR. National Science Foundation. 1995

Courses Taught

MARSCI 573A: Coastal and Marine Pollution
MARSCI 393A: Research Independent Study
ENVIRON 999: Duke Environmental Leadership: Master's Project
ENVIRON 997: Duke Environmental Leadership: Independent Studies and Projects
ENVIRON 899: Master's Project
ENVIRON 898: Program Area Seminar
ENVIRON 667: Chemical Transformation of Environmental Contaminants
ENVIRON 593: Independent Studies and Projects
ENVIRON 573A: Coastal and Marine Pollution
ENVIRON 566: Environmental Analytical Chemistry
ENVIRON 393A: Research Independent Study
ENVIRON 393: Research Independent Study
CEE 667: Chemical Transformation of Environmental Contaminants
CEE 565: Environmental Analytical Chemistry