ardea consulting’s owner and principal scientist/consultant is Joseph P. Sullivan, Ph.D., who has earned a master’s degree in Ecology from Utah State University and a Ph.D. in Wildlife Science with expertise in avian toxicology from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He has been designated a Certified Wildlife Biologist by The Wildlife Society in recognition of his continuing professional activity in the field of wildlife biology.
Prior to establishing ardea consulting, Dr. Sullivan worked as an avian toxicologist in the agricultural chemical industry and as field study director for a terrestrial ecotoxicology consulting firm evaluating laboratory toxicity of pesticides to northern bobwhite, mallards and potential field effects on other bird species. While working in industry and as field study director, all research was conducted according to EPA Good Laboratory Practices (GLP).
His field research has focused on the effects of contaminants, particularly pesticides, on passerines, quail and other wildlife and on bird nesting behavior in non-agricultural areas. Laboratory research has ranged from straightforward toxicity testing of pesticides to complex projects designed to determine biological and biochemical impacts of pesticides on bird reproduction.
Since he established ardea consulting, Dr. Sullivan’s work has continued to focus on how pesticides and other contaminants may affect birds. Examples of recent projects are:
- Evaluation of species potentially at risk from herbicide applications for control of aquatic weeds
- GIS analysis of relationship between bird survey routes and crop lands
- Evaluation of Breeding Bird Survey data for use as an indication of pesticide impacts
- Reconnaissance Level Biological Surveys
- Nesting success of American Robins in a contaminated river floodplain in northeastern United States
- Review and collation of published information on approximately 80 species of concern in the Interior Columbia River Basin
- Ecological risk factors and survey of terrestrial vertebrates on a contaminated manufacturing site along a major river in northeastern United States
- Ecological risk assessments of pesticides or metals
- Review and collation of published and governmental agency information for pesticides registered in the United States