Mercury is a global contaminant that is released to the atmosphere, travels long distances, and impacts humans and wildlife through bioaccumulation of toxic methylmercury. Selenium, in contrast, is an essential micronutrient that plays an important role in modulating oxidative stress in all vertebrates. Mercury is known to interact with selenium biomolecules, but very little is known about these interactions and their implications. This grant will will support members of the Poulin Lab to pursue novel research on the interactions between mercury and selenium biomolecules by significantly expanding an existing institutional relationship between UC Davis and LGC Limited (United Kingdom). A PhD student will (1) travel to cross-train with members of LGC Limited on analysis of selenium biomolecules by liquid chromatography ICP-MS, (2) implement these analytical capabilities at UC Davis, (3) recruit and mentor an undergraduate researcher, and (4) integrate findings into an existing course at UC Davis.