Meet EPA Computational Biologist Holly Mortensen Ph.D.
EPA researcher and recent recipient of the Arthur S. Flemming Award Holly Mortensen builds computational tools to help in the analyses and integration of environmental health and toxicologically relevant data types. Her research focuses on two diverse areas, Adverse Outcome Pathway and Nanomaterials Environmental Health research (nanoEHS). Holly has created and developed the EPA Adverse Outcome Pathway Database (AOP-DB), a database and user interface useful in the organization and biological interpretation of AOP information, and the EPA NaKnowBase, a knowledge base containing the results from ORD publications on the actions of engineered nanomaterials in environmental or biological media. Most recently, Holly is the technical lead of a “common language” effort for nanoEHS data for the EPA Chemical Safety and Sustainability National Program.
Tell us about your background.
I received a B.S. in biological anthropology from the University of California, Davis, an M.Sc. in anthropological sciences from Stanford University, and a Ph.D. in human genetics from the University of Maryland, College Park. I completed my postdoctoral work at the EPA’s National Center for Computational Toxicology where my projects included defining toxicity-related pathways for all annotated human genes, using chemical and disease association and drug target information, and data implementation in assay prioritization efforts for the EPA’s ToxCast program.
When did you first know you wanted to be a scientist?
I don’t think that being “a scientist” ever occurred to me, it has been more of a sequence of events that have led me to spend my life as a scientist. I have always wanted to do and try everything that interested me. As a result, I am a sort of jack-of-all-trades in many areas. I have also been motivated throughout my life to contribute to progress and be a part of change for good. This desire directed my pursuits from an early age. Growing up in Southern California, particularly in the 1980s and 90s where the region underwent extensive development and commercialization, I was motivated by a desire to protect the environment and human health. I became a scientist to understand how to do that, and a Fed to contribute what knowledge I have for the greater good.
What do you like most about your research?
That at its core, my research is contributing to a greater understanding of biology and adverse health effects.
How does your science matter?
By improving data standards and making infrastructure decisions about access, and data use, we subsequently improve data sustainability, interpretability, and interoperability. This translates to an improved data longevity, and ability to understand our science and how it pertains to human health effects.
If you weren’t a scientist, what would you be doing?
That’s tough, as most of my alternatives have always involved some aspect of science. Top three would be textile importer, historic preservationist, antique dealer
What advice would you give a student interested in a career in science?
To study art! No really, to study everything that interests you. The breadth of experience you have to pull from will inform your pursuits and your ability to meet diverse challenges.
If you can have any superpower, what would you choose?
To read minds.
What do you think the coolest scientific discovery was and why?
That humans are made from stardust (usually credited to Sagan but was most likely realized from Hubble’s work in astrobiology).
You are stranded on a desert island; how do you use science to survive?
I would most likely get sick from mis-identifying edible plants.
What do you think is our biggest scientific challenge in the next 20/50/100 years?
To keep from turning into a flaming fireball. No really, yes, REALLY.
Editor's Note: The opinions expressed herein are those of the researcher alone. EPA does not endorse the opinions or positions expressed.