Theme: Environmental and Molecular Toxicology
Robert Tanguay Oral History Interview
Life history interview conducted by Chris Petersen.
April 21, 2017
Robert Tanguay (b. 1966) is a Distinguished Professor of Molecular Toxicology who
joined the OSU faculty in 2003. The Director of the Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory,
Tanguay has built an international reputation for his use of zebrafish as a model
for analyzing the toxicological impact of thousands of different chemical compounds.
In 2009, his laboratory received a major grant from the Environmental Protection Agency
that was used to conduct the largest in vivo toxicological study to date - an examination
of some 1,200 compounds yielding data on half a million zebrafish. Tanguay also speaks
regularly to both public and private entities on the biosafety of various commercial
developments, including flame retardants and the practice of fracking. His interview
traces his career in science with particular attention paid to his zebrafish studies
at OSU.