In Memoriam: Douglas James Fort (1964–2024)

Nile Kemble, U.S. Geological Survey, and Tim Canfield, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency  

Douglas James Fort, born 9 June 1964 in Denver, Colorado, departed this life on 23 September 2024.

Doug attended Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas, where he graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in biology–chemistry in 1986 and was a member of the tennis team, the Order of the Mound, Beta Beta Beta Biological Society and Theta Phi Delta. He was also a Masterbuilder. He then went on to Oklahoma State University, where he completed his M.S./Ph.D. in zoology in 1988/1990, respectively.

Doug was the co-founder and president of Fort Environmental Laboratories. He was an internationally recognized expert in toxicology and the development and use of toxicology assays with the amphibian species – Xenopus. He had more than 30 years of experience with ecotoxicological assays and test methods with fish, amphibians, reptiles, and freshwater and marine invertebrate species, including direction and performance of extensive inter-laboratory validation studies of early embryo larval amphibian assays, in vitro oocyte maturation assays, amphibian metamorphosis assays, short-term fathead minnow embryo larval developmental assay, and short-term fathead minnow reproduction assay.

Doug was recognized with a frog exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. Fort Environmental Laboratories received the 2002 Tibbett’s Awardee for excellence in small business research. He served on the Science Advisory Council at Southwestern College and was honored as a Science Hall of Fame Member in 2010.

Doug attended every SETAC North America meeting after becoming a member of SETAC in 1987. He always referred to SETAC as his scientific home and took great pride in becoming a SETAC Fellow. He had a long history of serving SETAC in various roles, committees, mentoring and leadership positions. He served on both the SETAC North America Board of Directors and the SETAC World Council as a member and as treasurer.

He was very committed to the mentoring of young professionals in the field of environmental toxicology. Doug mentored both students, other young professionals and, in some cases, mid-level professionals, regardless of their affiliation. Doug always made time to meet with and support the SETAC students through his involvement with the student mentoring events at annual meetings and often spoke of how they were his favorite part of these events. Doug would always invite the students at his table to come out after the event, where he would introduce them to more seasoned and established members to help them build their collegial connections and network. He consistently took the time to attend the new member breakfast at SETAC North America annual meetings to talk to first-time SETAC attendees with the goal of making them feel as welcome and important to the society as if they were long-time members. He always felt that mentoring was where he could give back to the next generation of SETAC members.

Doug was also a longtime Ozark-Prairie SETAC Regional Chapter (OP-SETAC) member starting in 1990, and his roles included OP-SETAC Board of Directors member from 1992–1998 and as vice president, president and ex officio from 1995–1998. He maintained his dedication and support of the regional chapter even after he started taking on greater roles at the Geographic Unit level.

Doug will be remembered for his love for his children and grandchildren, vast science knowledge, goofy sense of humor and eternal kindness. He will be deeply missed by his family, co-workers, colleagues and all who knew him.

Memorials may be made to the SETAC Endowment Fund in honor of Doug Fort or to Southwestern College c/o Institutional Advancement, 100 College St, Winfield, KS in honor of Doug Fort.

Author’s contact: Nile Kemble, [email protected], and Tim Canfield, [email protected]