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Description
The Northeast is experiencing more intense and frequent rain events, which increase non-source pollution and bacteria levels into its waterways, according to Courtney McGinnis, Professor of Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences at Quinnipiac University. McGinnis will present “Reviving the Quinnipiac: A Community Effort to Clean and Restore Our River” at the historic Pardee-Morris House (PMH). The free event will take place on Sunday, August 10, 2025, at 2 p.m.
McGinnis completed her Ph.D. in physiology and neurobiology at the University of Connecticut, where her dissertation focused on understanding the molecular mechanism of endocrine disrupting chemicals. At Quinnipiac, she also directs the Environmental Sciences and Studies Program, where her interest in aquatic toxicology has been the focus of her research.
McGinnis continues to study the molecular mechanisms of endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and for the last decade has examined the Quinnipiac River for the presence of phthalates and plasticizers. As a trained toxicologist, she is passionate about teaching the basic principles of toxicology to future toxicologists and the public.
During her “Reviving the Quinnipiac” presentation at PMH, McGinnis will highlight the vital work now underway. While sampling the Quinnipiac River in 2021, McGinnis began to notice that trash was being illegally dumped along the banks of the Quinnipiac River in North Haven, Connecticut, and that throughout 2022 and 2023, the amount of trash continued to increase drastically. In 2024, the Quinnipiac River Foundation supported her research of sampling the Quinnipiac River and clean-up events. She organized three clean-up event days and worked alongside the town of North Haven to decrease the amount of bulk trash throughout a portion of Valley Service Road. “There is still illegal dumping taking place in this area and we will be organizing clean-up events this year as well,” she says. “If individuals would like to assist in the clean-up events, the first clean-up event is scheduled for Tuesday, May 27, 2025. I encourage them to attend the presentation and to get in touch with me at courtney.mcginnis@quinnipiac.edu.”
About the Pardee-Morris House
Located at 325 Lighthouse Road, in New Haven, the Pardee-Morris House dates from about 1780, and is listed on the State and National Register of Historic Places. Built by Amos Morris around 1750, the house was burned by the British during their raid on New Haven in 1779 and rebuilt and expanded by the Morris family. In 1918, William S. Pardee, a descendant of the Morris family, willed the property to the New Haven Colony Historical Society, today the New Haven Museum. For a complete list of summer events at the Pardee-Morris House, visit: http://newhavenmuseum.org/visit/pardee-morris-house/ For New Haven Museum’s event calendar: http://newhavenmuseum.org/visit/events-calendar/ Sign up for e-blasts at info@newhavenmuseum.org.
About the New Haven Museum
The New Haven Museum has been collecting, preserving and interpreting the history and heritage of Greater New Haven since its inception as the New Haven Colony Historical Society in 1862. Located in downtown New Haven at 114 Whitney Avenue, the Museum brings more than 375 years of New Haven history to life through its collections, exhibitions, programs and outreach. As a Blue Star Museum, the New Haven Museum offers the nation’s active-duty military personnel and their families, including National Guard and Reserve, free admission all year. For more information visit http://newhavenmuseum.org or @NewHavenMuseum or call 203-562-4183.
Date & Time
Sun, Aug 10, 2025 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Venue Details
Pardee-Morris House
325 Lighthouse RoadNew Haven, Connecticut 06510
