Asif Mortuza

After completing his Ph.D. in Marine Biology (Toxicology) at Texas A&M University at Galveston, Asif began working as a research associate at the Environmental Institute of Houston (EIH). His doctoral research centered on quantifying microplastics and persistent pollutants (PAHs, PCBs) in Gulf of Mexico fish and oysters. He developed and refined a Py-GCMS method for plastic quantification in organisms (published) and investigated the developmental toxicity of environmentally relevant concentrations of microplastics and persistent pollutant mixtures in larval zebrafish.

Asif earned a master’s degree in biology from Purdue University Fort Wayne, where he studied the physiological effects of cannabidiol (CBD) in fish models and its anti‑cancer potential in melanoma cell lines. He has enjoyed mentoring both graduate and undergraduate students as a graduate research assistant. As a graduate teaching assistant, he taught lab courses in physiology, immunology, and general and organic chemistry.

In his role at EIH, Asif contributes to ongoing environmental monitoring projects and is helping develop new microplastic monitoring projects in the region. His long‑term goal is to understand the toxicity of microplastics and plasticizers and translate that knowledge into real‑world improvements for both people and organisms. Outside of work, he enjoys going on hikes.