Reviving the Quinnipiac: A Community Effort to Clean and Restore Our River

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. Register here.

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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. 

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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.  

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