Robert Huggett, MSU’s vice president for research and graduate studies, will discuss an ongoing debate among scientists, the U.S. Navy, Congress and regulatory agencies over the use of tributyltin antifouling paints on Tuesday.

Such paints, when applied to the bottom of boats and ships, can be harmful to marine animals.

The lecture, which is part of the Lyman Briggs Lecture Series, will be held at 7:30 p.m. in C106 Holmes Hall.

“My goal is let students know there’s a role for scientists to play in regulatory matters,” Huggett said. “The Navy has used a compound of antifouling paint on the bottom of their boats, which is very toxic to marine life.”

Before coming to MSU, Huggett worked as assistant administrator for research and development for the Environmental Protection Agency. He has been at MSU since June 1997.

His career as a scholar includes studies of the fate and effects of hazardous chemicals in aquatic environments. He has published 80 articles concerning this topic.

Huggett has remained active in research and policy organizations at the national and international level.

The lecture is free and open to the public.