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Heather M. Stapleton

Ronie-Richele Garcia-Johnson Distinguished Professor
Environmental Natural Science
Box 90328, Durham, NC 27708-0328
9 Circuit Drive, Box 90328, LSRC Room A207, Durham, NC 27710

Overview


Professor Heather Stapleton is an environmental chemist and exposure scientist in the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University.  Her research interests focus on identification of halogenated and organophosphate chemicals in building materials, furnishings and consumer products, and estimation of human exposure, particularly in vulnerable populations such as pregnant women and children.  Her laboratory utilizes mass spectrometry, including targeted and nontargeted approaches, to characterize chemical burdens in both environmental samples and biological tissues to support environmental health research. Currently she serves as the Director for the Duke Superfund Research Center, and Director of the Duke Environmental Analysis Laboratory, which is part of NIH’s Human Health Environmental Analysis Resource.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Ronie-Richele Garcia-Johnson Distinguished Professor · 2020 - Present Environmental Natural Science, Nicholas School of the Environment
Professor in the Division of Environmental Natural Sciences · 2024 - Present Environmental Natural Science, Nicholas School of the Environment
Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering · 2024 - Present Civil and Environmental Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute · 2015 - Present Duke Cancer Institute, Institutes and Centers

In the News


Published December 16, 2025
PFAS Are Being Phased Out of Firefighter Gear. But Other Chemical Concerns Arise.
Published April 8, 2025
‘Forever Chemicals’ Are Everywhere. Most of Their Health Effects Are Unknown
Published March 17, 2025
What’s the Cancer Risk for Firefighters? A Study Seeks to Find Out.

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Recent Publications


Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and Brominated Flame Retardants (BFRs) in Firefighter Turnout Gear: Two Chemical Classes of Concern to Consider

Journal Article Environmental Science and Technology Letters · January 13, 2026 Textiles used in firefighting turnout gear were previously treated or manufactured with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to provide water and oil repellency, help pass flammability requirements, and provide increased breathability for heat relief ... Full text Cite

Developmental PBDE exposure persistently impairs mast cell function in vivo and drives sex-specific morphological and transcriptional changes in bone marrow-derived mast cells.

Journal Article Environmental research · January 2026 Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are synthetic flame retardants once widely used in furniture, electronics, and other consumer products. Although phased out in the early 2000s, their persistence and recycling into new materials have led to continued ... Full text Cite

Increasing PFAS concentrations in human serum correlate with elevated blood lipid levels

Journal Article Environmental Science Advances · January 1, 2026 Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of synthetic chemicals which have been detected in the blood of >99% people worldwide. Currently, certain PFAS are linked to elevated cholesterol levels in humans, but few studies have assessed c ... Full text Cite
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Recent Grants


Duke University Program in Environmental Health

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences · 2019 - 2029

An integrated and diverse genomic medicine program for undiagnosed diseases

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke · 2014 - 2028

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Education, Training & Certifications


University of Maryland, College Park · 2003 Ph.D.
University of Maryland, College Park · 2000 M.S.
Long Island University, Southhampton College · 1997 B.S.