COLLEGEVILLE, Pa., — Plastics, and the chemical bisphenol A (BPA) contained in some plastics, are under increased scrutiny from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and mothers of young children.

Rebecca Roberts, associate professor of biology and coordinator of the Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Program at Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pa., has an interest in bisphenol A, an environmental endocrine disruptor, used to make resistant hard plastics, including baby bottles, teething rings, cups and children's toys — an interest that extends far beyond her Ursinus College lab. As the mother of two young children, she monitors her children's use of these plastics, admitting she "cringes" when they use a sippy cup.

Roberts was the subject of an article in the April 28, 2008 Philadelphia Inquirer's "Health & Science" section because of both her concerns with the compound, and her grant-supported research into it. The article described the work she and her students are doing with cathepsins — enzymes that react with the infection-fighting white blood cells. Professor and students are collecting and analyzing the white blood cells of mice which have ingested BPA.

Roberts co-authored, "Babies, Bottles and Bisphenol A: The story of a Scientist-Mother" in a journal of the Public Library of Science last summer titled, PLoS Biology. She has obtained a National Institutes of Health AREA Grant to support research in "Estrogen and Bisphenol A Modulation of Cathepsins." The three-year grant ($50,000/year) to support research was awarded September 2005, and Roberts hopes to attract another grant by this summer. She seeks to generate an educational campaign partnership among Ursinus undergraduate researchers, community partners and state representatives that would educate parents, personnel at daycare centers, health care providers, pediatricians and others.

The health effects of BPA, used worldwide by plastics companies in production of plastic bottles, sippy cups and teething rings, have been the subject of international debates. If you wish to contact Dr. Roberts as this showdown nears in the weeks and months ahead, she may be reached directly at 610-409-3000, ext. 2665 or at email: rroberts@ursinus.edu .

She is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Mass., with a Ph.D. in Molecular & Cellular Biology, 1998: Thesis: Toward an antibody peptidase: Mechanistic studies of peptide-bond hydrolysis. She received a B.A. in biochemistry and molecular biology in 1991 from Clark University in Worcester, Mass.

Founded in 1869, Ursinus College is a highly selective, independent coeducational liberal arts college located on a scenic, wooded 170-acre campus, 28 miles from Center City Philadelphia. The college is one of only 8 percent of U.S. Colleges to possess a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, and is a member of the Watson Foundation, Project Pericles, Project DEEP, the Annapolis Group and the Centennial Conference.