Rachael M. Heuer
Research Assistant Professor, Marine Biology and Ecology
Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science
Affiliate Member, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
rheuer@miami.edu
Dr. Heuer’s research investigates how environmental toxicants affect neural and cardiovascular systems across development and into adulthood. Using complementary aquatic models, including Aplysia californica and zebrafish, she studies the health effects of pollutants and carcinogens such as heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). A central focus is understanding how these exposures interact in complex mixtures and with heat stress, a growing public health concern. Heat waves can impair neurological function and amplify the effects of medications that interfere with thermoregulation. Aquatic models support mechanistic studies across physiological systems and levels of biological organization, including behavior, cardiovascular function, electrophysiology, and molecular biology. Aplysia enables detailed analysis of neural circuits with its accessible, well-characterized nervous system, while zebrafish offer rapid development, optical transparency, high-throughput capabilities, and a strong molecular toolkit. As an affiliate member of the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, she also plans to examine how environmental exposures may influence cancer risk and exacerbate treatment-related side effects. My long-term goal is to uncover mechanisms of toxicity and translate these findings into strategies that reduce exposure-related health impacts and support recovery in vulnerable populations.
Keywords: heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, cancer, heat
