Ecosystems Research Division

Biographical Information

Name: Tom Purucker
Title: Ecologist

Contact Info:
Ecosystems Research Division
National Exposure Research Laboratory
Office of Research and Development
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
960 College Station Road
Athens, GA 30605 30605

Telephone: 706-355-8123
Fax: 706-355-8104
Email: purucker.tom@epa.gov

Education:

Ph.D. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee, 2006
B.A. Zoology, University of Tennessee, 1991

Expertise/Research Interests:
My recent interests include: 1)Risks and benefits from biotechnology implementation, particularly the use of plant incorporated protectants in agroecosystems and indirect food chain effects; 2) Spatial estimation and agent-based movement models to estimate ecological exposure and effects from environmental toxicants; 3) Ecological risk assessment software library development to improve "production-level" ecological risk assessments through SADA and FRAMES software packages.

Select Publications:

Federico, P., Hallam, T.G., McCracken, G.F., Kunz, T.H., Purucker, S.T., Grant, W.E., Sandoval, A.N.C., Westbrook, J.K., Medellín, Cleveland, C.J., Sansone, C.G., Betke, M., Horne, J., Moreno-Valdez, A., López, J.D., 200_. Insectivorous bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) as ecological controllers in transgenic and conventional crops. (in revision, Ecological Applications).

Stewart, R.N., Purucker, S.T., Powers, G.E., 2007. SADA: A Freeware Decision Support Tool Integrating GIS, Sample design, Spatial Modeling, and Risk Assessment. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Environmental Software Systems, Prague, Czech Republic .

Purucker, S.T., Cyterski, M.J., Parmar, R.S., Rashleigh, B., Wolfe, K.L., 2007. Environmental consequences of land use change: accounting for complexity with agent-based models. Conference proceedings of the Annual Conference of the North American Association for Computational Social and Organizational Sciences, Atlanta, GA.

Purucker, S.T, Welsh, C.J.E., Stewart, R.N., Starzec, P., 2007. Use of habitat-contamination spatial correlation to determine when to perform a spatially explicit ecological risk assessment.Ecological Modelling.

Purucker, S.T., 2006. Spatial Processes and Ecotoxicological Risk Assessment Modeling. Ph.D. dissertation. University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Stewart, R.N., Purucker, S.T., 2006. SADA: A Freeware Decision Support Tool Integrating GIS, Sample design, Spatial Modeling, and Risk Assessment. Proceedings of the Third Biennial Meeting of the International Environmental Modelling and Software Society, Burlington, Vermont.

Stewart, R.N., Purucker, S.T., 2005. Spatial Approaches for Subsurface Sample Design, Characterization, and Decision Support. Proceedings of the American Nuclear Society Topical Meeting on Decommissioning, Decontamination, and Reutilization, Denver, Colorado.

Holland, J., S.M. Bartell, T.G. Hallam, S.T. Purucker, C.J.E. Welsh 2002. Role of Computational Toolkits in Environmental Management. Chapter 6 in Dale, V.H. (editor). Ecological modeling for resource management. New York: Springer-Verlag.

Drake, J.A., C.R. Zimmerman, and S.T. Purucker 1998. On the nature of the assembly trajectory. Chapter 5 of "The Search for Assembly Rules in Ecological Communities." Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, .

Purucker, S.T., R.R. Bonczek, and F.G. Dolislager 1998. Technetium‑99 Transport Modeling Results for Sources at SWMUs 7 and 30 at the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant, Paducah, Kentucky. KY/EM‑266.

Welsh, C.J.E. and S.T Purucker 1998. Quantitative Uncertainty Analysis of a Terrestrial Food Chain Exposure Model Used in Ecological Risk Assessment. ORNL/TM‑.

Purucker, S.T. 1997. Method for Calculating Preliminary Remediation Goals in Groundwater Based on Soil Concentrations. ORNL/TM‑251.

Dawoud, E.A. and S.T. Purucker 1997. Quantitative Uncertainty Analysis of Superfund Residential Risk Pathway Models for Soil and Groundwater. ORNL/TM‑ .

Clapp, R.B., Y.S. Bao, T.D. Moore, A.L. Brenkert 1996. Waste Area Grouping Phase 1 remedial Investigation: Sediment and Cesium-137 transport modeling report. ORNL/ER-367.

Purucker, S.T., D.M. Douthat 1996. Waste area grouping 2 Phase 1 task data report: Human health risk assessment. ORNL/ER-368.

Ford, C.J., J. E. Nyquist, S. T. Purucker, and R. F. Winterfield 1996. Characterization and Inventory of Contaminants in WAG 2 Floodplain Soils of White Oak Creek. ORNL/TM‑13208. ORNL/ESD‑4538.

Borders, D.M., D.J. Pridmore, J.J. Beauchamp, D.E. McConnell, S.T. Purucker, and T.M. Scanlan 1996. Waste Area Grouping 2 Phase 1 Remedial Investigation Tributary Data Assessment Report. ORNL/TM‑362.

Dawoud, E.A., S.T. Purucker, and R.R. Bonczek 1995. Calculations of Excess Cancer Risk from Dermal Contact with Emitting Radionuclides in Soil. ORNL White Paper.

Stewart, R.N., A.Q. Armstrong, B.R. James, D.M. Douthat, and S.T. Purucker 1995. Cost Versus Risk Reduction in Remedial Action: A Decision Framework. ORNL/TM‑13143.

Stewart, R.N., S.T. Purucker, and B.F. Lyon 1995. Geostatistical Applications in Environmental Remediation. ES/ER/TM‑146.

Purucker, S.T, C.J.E. Welsh, R.C. Kramel and J.R. Duncan 1995. Threatened and Endangered Species Survey at Wright‑Patterson Air Force Base, Operable Unit 3. Report to HAZWRAP.

Miller, P.D., C.W. McGinn, S.T. Purucker, and R.K. White 1995. Defining the Role of Risk Assessment in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) Remedial Investigation Process at the DOE‑OR.. ES/ER/TM‑58.

Purucker, S.T. and R.N. Stewart 1995. Decision Analysis Applications: White Paper. ORNL/TM‑.

Stewart, R.N., C.J. Maxwell, and S.T. Purucker 1995. Methods for Improving Exposure Concentration Calculations in Human Health Risk Assessment. ORNL/TM‑

McGinn, C.W. and S.T. Purucker 1995. White Paper Report for the Oak Ridge Reservation Site‑wide/Integrator Unit Human Health Risk Assessment Strategy.

Clapp, R.B., and J.A. Watts Eds. 1995. Fourth Annual Report of Environmental Restoration Monitoring and Assessment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. DOE/OR/01‑0143&D1.

Moyer, J.H. and S.T. Purucker 1995. Enhancing Defensibility of the Environmental Benefit Assessment Matrix (ERBAM) by Incorporation of Relevant and Available Human Risk Information. ES/ER/TM‑140.

Kramel, R.C., and S.T. Purucker 1995. Solid Waste Storage Area 5 Risk Assessment Report.

Dawoud, E.A., S.T. Purucker, and R.R. Bonczek 1994. Development of Preliminary Remediation Goals for Dermal Contact with Beta Emitting Radionuclide ⁹⁹Tc in Soil, Sediment, Surface Water of Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant. POEF/ER‑.

McGinn, C.W., P.D. Miller, S.T. Purucker, and R.K. White 1994. Standardized Risk Assessment Approach for Evaluating Source Control operable Units to Support Expedited Actions at the Oak Ridge Reservation. DOE/ER/ES/TM-58.

Purucker, S.T., B.F. Lyon, L.D. Nanstad, R.N. Stewart 1994. Decision Support for CERCLA Investigations: An Introduction to Decision Analysis Applications. ES/ER/TM‑134.

Purucker, S.T. and B.F. Lyon. 1994. Risk Based Decision‑Making in the Feasibility Study. ORNL/TM‑111.

Lee, R.R., A.H. Curtis, L.M. Houlberg, S.T. Purucker, M.L. Singer, M.F. Tardiff, and D.A. Wolf. 1994. Site Characterization Plan for Groundwater in Waste Area Grouping 1 at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee. ORNL/ER‑248.

Watkins, D.R. and S.E. Herbes editors. T.L. Ashwood, L.A. Baron, D.M. Borders, B.B. Burgoa, R.B. Clapp, D.S. Hicks, R.H. Ketelle, S.T. Purucker, G.W. Suter, and R.F. Winterfield 1994. Remedial Investigation Work Plan for Waste Area Grouping 2 at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee. DOE/OR/01‑1292&D0. ORNL/ER‑251&D2.

Miller, P.D., McGinn, C.W., Purucker, S.T., Redfearn, A., White, R.K. 1994. Defining the Role of Risk Assessment in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act Remedial Investigation Process at the DOE‑OR. Proceedings of the International Specialty Conference. Cost Effective Acquisition and Utilization of Data in the Management of Hazardous Waste Sites. Air & Waste Management Association. Pittsburgh, PA. CONF-9403102-1.

Clapp, R.B., J.A. Watts, and M.A.S. Guth Eds. 1994. Third Annual Report of Environmental Restoration Monitoring and Assessment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. DOE/OR/01‑1290&D0.

Boston, H.L., S.B. Garland II, L.D. Hyde, E.A. Krispin, A.J. Kuhaida, Jr., S.T. Purucker, J.C. Dee, and L.A. Holm 1994. Implementation of an Approach for Streamlining Environmental Restoration at Federal Facilities. Proceedings of the International Specialty Conference. Cost Effective Acquisition and Utilization of Data in the Management of Hazardous Waste Sites. Air & Waste Management Association. Pittsburgh, PA, pp. 69‑82.

Lyon, B.F., S.T. Purucker, and R.N. Stewart 1994. The Value of Perfect Information: How Much is a Crystal Ball Worth? Proceedings of the International Specialty Conference. Cost Effective Acquisition and Utilization of Data in the Management of Hazardous Waste Sites. Air & Waste Management Association. Pittsburgh, PA. CONF-940386-2:44‑55.

Purucker, S.T and B.F. Lyon 1994. Decision Analysis Applications and the CERCLA Process. Proceedings of the International Specialty Conference. Cost Effective Acquisition and Utilization of Data in the Management of Hazardous Waste Sites. Air & Waste Management Association. Pittsburgh, PA, CONF-940386-4:56‑68.

Blaylock, B.G, M.L. Frank, F.O. Hoffman, P.D. Miller, S.T. Purucker, A. Redfearn, and R.K.White 1993. Human Health Risk Assessment Screening Approach for Evaluating Contaminants at Source Control and Integrator Operable Units, pp. 393‑406 in Developing Cleanup Standards for Contaminated Soil, Sediment, and Groundwater. Proceedings of Specialty Conference Series, January 10‑13, 1993, Washington DC.

Select Presentations:

Purucker, S.T., Cyterski, M.J., Parmar, R.S., Rashleigh, B., Wolfe, K.L., 2007. Integrating dynamic land use models with environmental consequences for decision-making. Annual Conference of the North American Association for Computational Social and Organizational Sciences, Atlanta, GA.

Purucker, S.T., Federico, P., Hallam, T.G., Kennard, K., McCracken, G.F., 2007. Landscape dynamics of Bt, bats, and insect resistance in the Winter Garden region of Texas. 233rd American Chemical Society National Meeting, Chicago, IL.

Purucker, S.T., Stewart, R.N., 2007. SADA: A freeware decision support tool integrating GIS, sample design, spatial modeling, and environmental risk assessment. 233rd American Chemical Society National Meeting, Chicago, IL.

Purucker, S.T., Stewart, R.N., Welsh, C.J.E., 2005. Use of habitat-contamination spatial correlation to determine when to perform a spatially explicit ecological risk assessment. Society for Environmental Toxicity and Chemistry; Baltimore, Maryland.

Purucker, S.T., 2004. Characterizing Risk in SADA. Geostatistical Analysis of Health and Exposure Conference; Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Purucker, S.T., Stewart, R.N., Welsh, C.J.E., 2004. Spatially Explicit Ecological Risk Assessment and Foraging Models. The International Environmetrics Society/Spatial Accuracy Symposium; Portland, Maine.

Purucker, S.T., 2003. Spatial Methods for Environmental Sampling, Risk Characterization, and Management. Society for Risk Analysis, World Congress on Risk; Brussels, , (presentation and session organizer).

Purucker, S.T., 2003. Overview of SADA Software and Risk Assessment. FIELDS/SADA Conference; Chicago, Illinios.

Purucker, S.T., 2000. Practical Ecological Hazard and Risk Assessment. Fifth Course on Mathematical Ecology Conference; Trieste, .

Purucker, S.T., 2000. Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment using SADA. RCRA: Visions for the Future. Environmental Protection Agency National RCRA Program Meeting; Washington, D.C.

Purucker, S.T., 1999. Dose Rate Variability from Chronic Sr-90 Exposures to White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in Melton Valley, Tennessee. Ecological Society of ; Spokane, Washington.

Purucker, S.T., 1994. Decision Analysis Application and the CERCLA Process. Waste Policy Institute; Herndon, Virginia.

Awards:
2007, Superior Accomplishment Recognition Award, US Environmental Protection Agency

Workshops/Training Conducted:
University of Tennessee, "Environmental Assessment Methods Using SADA", Knoxville, TN, 25-27 October 2006.
Swedish Geotechnical Institute Training, Goteborg, Sweden , 10-12 May 2006.
University of Tennessee, "Environmental Assessment Methods Using SADA", Knoxville, TN, 26-28 April 2006.
University of Tennessee, "Environmental Assessment Methods Using SADA", Knoxville, TN, 5-7 October 2005.
Swedish Geotechnical Institute Training, Goteborg, Sweden , 12-15 September 2005.
US Nuclear Regulatory Commission SADA Training, Rockville, MD, 12-14 April 2005.
US Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) SADA Workshop, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2-3 August 2005.
University of Tennessee, "Environmental Assessment Methods Using SADA", Knoxville, TN, 23-25 February 2005.
Petróleo Brasileiro SA (Petrobras), Rio de Janeiro, ,16-20 Aug 2004.
NRC SADA Workshop, Rockville, MD, 4-5 May 2004.
Society for Risk Analysis- World Congress on Risk, Brussels, , 22 June 2003.
FIELDS/SADA 2003 Training Conference in Chicago, 5-7 March 2003.
Illinois Natural History Survey/ Department of Natural Resources. EPA Region 5, Champaign, IL, 21 May 2002.
EPA Ecological Risk Assessment Forum, National Conservation Training Center, Shepherdstown, West Virginia, 9 January 2002.
EPA Region 9, San Francisco, California, 28-29 August 2001.
EPA Region 5, Chicago, Illinois, 16-17 July 2001.
2001 Fields with SADA Conference EPA Region 6, Denver, Colorado, 6-8 March 2001.
Fifth Course on Mathematical Ecology Conference Trieste, , 28 February - 24 March 2000.

Teaching:

Fall 2007, Gainesville State College, Biology 1102: Introduction to Ecology

Summer 2006, University of Tennessee, College Prep Summer Camp: "The Real World of Environmental Science (for High School Students)", Knoxville, TN, 12-16, June 2006.

Summer 2005, University of Tennessee, College Prep Summer Camp: "Environmental Science Models for High School Students", Knoxville, TN, 20-24, June 2005.

2004-2006, University of Tennessee, Guest lectures

- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 409: Perspectives in EEB

- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 681: Mathematical Ecology

- Environmental Engineering 575: Environmental Risk Assessment

Spring 2003, University of Tennessee, co-taught Ecology and Evolutionary Biology: 682 Mathematical Ecology with Tom Hallam

Current Projects:
Dr. Tom Purucker is a post-doctoral fellow and will be working on spatially explicit ecological exposure capabilities and model integration activities as an Ecologist in the Ecosystems Assessment Branch. He has worked at the University of Tennessee and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory for over 10 years as an ecologist and programmer. He is a co-developer of the Spatial Analysis and Decision Assistance (SADA) program and contributes ecological risk assessment code to the EPA Region 5 FIELDS tools for ESRI's Arc products. These programs allow risk assessors to account for the spatial distribution of contamination when estimating ecological risk and designing remedial actions. His research interests lie in the incorporation of spatial processes in the application of models for environmental risk assessment. The appropriate incorporation of space as an ecological variable to construct spatially delineated risk estimates can improve estimates of risk outcomes and better inform resulting management decisions.