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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


Associations between exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and biomarkers of acute kidney injury among Chilean agricultural workers.

Journal Article International journal of hygiene and environmental health · May 2026 Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposures from agricultural and household woodburning may adversely impact kidney health, but studies are limited in Latin America where these practices are prevalent. We aimed to characterize PAH exposures and examine ... Full text Cite

Assessing Nondietary Exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) in Firefighters Using Silicone Wristbands.

Journal Article Environment & health (Washington, D.C.) · April 2026 Firefighters are uniquely exposed to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) from use of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) and potentially from PFASs-treated turnout gear. This study assessed firefighter's ambient (nondietary) exposure to PFASs using si ... Full text Cite

Pesticide Exposure Characterization Among Adult Males in a Chilean Agricultural Community Using Paired Silicone Wristbands and Urine Samples.

Journal Article Environmental science & technology · April 2026 Human exposure to current-use and legacy pesticides in Chile remains largely understudied. In this pilot study, we collected silicone wristbands and urine samples to characterize pesticide exposure, assess between-matrix correlations, and identify potentia ... 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


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