Rate My Professor Matt Chumchal

Matthew M. Chumchal, known as Matt Chumchal, is a Professor of Biology at Texas Christian University (TCU), where he has held progressive academic appointments since 2007. He began as an Assistant Professor of Biology from 2007 to 2013, advanced to Associate Professor from 2013 to 2019, and was promoted to full Professor in 2019. Additionally, he serves as Associate Professor of Medical Education in the Burnett School of Medicine at TCU since 2019. Chumchal earned his B.S. with Honors in Biology from Southwestern University in 2001, M.S. in Biology from Texas Christian University in 2003, and Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Oklahoma in 2007. Prior roles include Graduate Teaching Associate at the University of Oklahoma and Hydrologic Technician with the United States Geological Survey.

Chumchal's research specializes in aquatic ecology and ecotoxicology, focusing on mercury contamination and biomagnification in aquatic and terrestrial food webs. His work examines bioaccumulation in fish, insects, spiders, birds, and bats, as well as insect-mediated flux of methylmercury from ponds to terrestrial systems. Key publications include 'Biomagnification of mercury in aquatic food webs: a worldwide meta-analysis' (Lavoie et al., 2013, Environmental Science & Technology, highly cited), 'An environmental problem hidden in plain sight: small man-made ponds, emergent insects and mercury contamination of biota in the Great Plains' (Chumchal & Drenner, 2015, Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry), and 'Use of Riparian Spiders as Sentinels of Persistent and Bioavailable Chemical Contaminants in Aquatic Ecosystems: A Review' (Chumchal et al., 2022, Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry). With over 3,183 citations on Google Scholar, his contributions have significantly influenced understanding of ecological factors regulating mercury contamination and risk assessment for wildlife and humans. Chumchal has received awards such as Texas Academy of Science Fellow (2010), multiple Best Presentation Awards from the Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, and high-ranking reviewer recognitions for Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. He currently serves as Editor for Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (since 2022) and Director of TCU's Pre-Health Professions Institute and Chair of the Health Professions Advisory Committee (since 2013).