Doctoral Programme in Environmental Contamination and Toxicology

Thousands of chemical products have been developed for our benefit but unfortunately their use leads to the release of chemical pollutants into the biosphere, where they may have harmful effects on living systems. The Doctorate in Environmental Contamination and Toxicology (ECT) focuses on the study of chemical pollutants from a multidisciplinary perspective, looking at their bioavailability, bioaccumulation and biomagnification across the food chain, and studying their biological effects at different levels of biological organisation, as well as the assessment of risks to humans and the environment. The aim is to find out how the harmful effects of chemical pollutants on living organisms can arise (mechanisms of toxicity) and how these effects can be evaluated and prevented or reduced to a minimum.

This is a multi-disciplinary program (chemistry, biology, environmental sciences) characterized by its large amount of high-quality scientific production, the internationalization of its activities and the mobility of its doctoral students, with a high rate of international doctoral theses.

Our teaching staff include:

- Teaching staff of the UPV/EHU forming part of the consolidated research groups of the Basque Government: "Cell Biology in Environmental Toxicology", "Analytical Research and Innovation" and "Ecotoxicity".

- Researchers from international research bodies (EFSA) and foreign professors with whom close collaboration is maintained (Universidade do Porto (Portugal) and L'Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour (UPPA) (France).

- Researchers from the Marine Research Unit of the AZTI-Tecnalia Technological Centre and from NEIKER Institute for Research.