Our People
Pollution Science staff
Susan Wilson
Associate Professor | School of Environmental and Rural Science
Email: susan.wilson@une.edu.au
I am a Senior Lecturer in Environmental Pollution and have established and lead the Pollution Science Research Group in the School of Environmental and Rural Science at UNE. I have over 20 years experience in research on pollutants working in the US, Europe, UK and Australia also supported by time in the consultancy industry and regulation. My research focuses on pollutants in soils: their processing and cycling, interactions, their effects, managing risks and remediation. I also manage the GCMS analytical research facility in the School. Current research areas include:
- Fate, behaviour and availability of pollutants in soil systems
- Soil-pollutant interactions
- Food chain contaminant transfers
- Ecotoxicity and impacts of contaminants
- Chemistry and behaviour of arsenic and antimony in contaminated soil and waters
- Exposure and risk assessment
- Remediation and rehabilitation of polluted systems including phytoremediation and bioremediation
- Environmental analysis and monitoring
Leanne Lisle
Senior Technical Officer | School of Environmental and Rural Science
Email: llisle@une.edu.au
Matthew Tighe
Associate Professor | School of Environmental and Rural Science
Email: matthew.tighe@une.edu.au
I have a background in ecosystem management and soil chemistry. I am interested in the links between the spatial variation of chemical patterns and underlying environmental processes that generate these patterns. I believe understanding these links inform us as to function and dysfunction in both natural and production systems. My specific research interests include:
- Fate and behavior of trace elements and nutrients in soils
- Plant/soil interactions
- Environmental tomography
- Environmental forensics
- Appropriate use of statistics in environmental research.
Martin Brummell
Post-doctoral Fellow| School of Environmental & Rural Science
Email: mbrummell@une.edu.au Email: @une.edu.au
Movements of chemicals and microorganisms between plants
Martin is an ecologist with a background in the study of the patterns and processes in ecosystems to understand their functions. Martin will be examining the movements of chemicals and microorganisms between plants, especially when carried by insect pollinators.
Calvin Leech
Post-Doctoral Academic| School of Environmental & Rural Science
Email: cleech@myune.edu.au Email: @une.edu.au
Calvin is an Assistant Academic in the Schools of Science and Technology and Environmental and Rural Science. Calvin is an environmental chemist and soil scientist working on projects across several disciplines including GC-MS method development in pollution science and canine and equine research.
Pollution Science students
Atefeh Esmaeili
PhD| School of Environmental & Rural Science
Bioremediation of Polycyclic Aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) contaminated soils: Quantifying treatment effects on microbial communities, bioavailability and ecotoxicity for safe soil reuse
The aim of Atefeh’s research is to identify the most appropriate method for assessing the PAHs bioavailability in aged contaminated soils.
Etido Umoren
PhD| School of Environmental & Rural Science
Email: eumoren@myune.edu.au
Impact Of Environmental Pollution On Agricultural Communities: Crude Oil Contamination Of Foodchains In The Niger Delta, Nigeria
This project involves a holistic ecotoxicological audit/assessment on food safety for the inhabitants of the crude oil contaminated Niger Delta region in Nigeria. This will be achieved through direct sampling of the foodchain and surveying the impact on the environment and people.
Roozbeh Naghshi Ravansari
PhD| School of Environmental & Rural Science
Email: rravansa@myune.edu.au
Augmented portable X-Ray Fluorescence Technology for application to soils
Roozbeh is working on developing sensors, methods and algorithms for use in conjunction with portable X-Ray fluorescence to enhance in situ soil geochemical measurement accuracy and utility.
Carolyn Sonter
PhD| School of Environmental & Rural Science
Email: csonter@myune.edu.au
Carolyn’s PhD project is examining the impact of sublethal concentrations of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and glyphosate on the colony dynamics of the European honey bee using a novel cage system designed at UNE.
Kirsten Drew
PhD| School of Environmental & Rural Science
Email: kdrew4@myune.edu.au
Mobility and persistence of glyphosate and AMPA in High Conservation Environments
Kirsten’s PhD is examining the mobility and persistence of glyphosate and AMPA in a range of high conservation and nature reserve island environments with different climatic zones and soil conditions. This includes subantarctic Macquarie Island, temperate Big Island (Wollongong) and Broughton Island, and subtropical South Solitary Island.
Elvis Lagble
Masters| School of Environmental & Rural Science
Email: elagble@myune.edu.au
Co-composting of PAHs in long-term contaminated soils
Elvis’s Masters project examines the co-composting of PAHs in long-term contaminated soils to overcome the limitations for contaminant breakdown.
Sajanee Ganga Gunadasa Hene Kapuralalage
PhD| School of Environmental & Rural Science
Email: hgunadas@myune.edu.au
Cadmium and Arsenic in Sri Lankan Farm Soils: An analysis of Sources, Chemistry, Threats and Best Available Techniques for Remediation
Sajanee has an Endeavour postgraduate scholarship. In Sri Lanka, widespread chronic kidney disease is attributed to soil and water contamination by exposure to As and Cd through overuse of fertilisers and pesticides - a type of contamination which affects millions of people in developing nations. Sajanee’s research investigates the potential of biochar and other organic amendments as cost effective in situ remediation options for these contaminated soils.
Nicola Forster
PhD| School of Environmental & Rural Science
Microplastics from recreation activities in terrestrial systems
Nicola’s PhD investigates microplastics from recreation activities in terrestrial systems. She will examine identification, analysis, and effects on soil properties and vegetation.
Steven Doherty
PhD| School of Environmental & Rural Science
Email: sdohert5@myune.edu.au
Identifying Pollution Movement in NSW Catchments for Risk Mitigation
Steven’s PhD involves identifying the sources, sinks, and drivers of arsenic and antimony redox in the environment. He will assess local contaminated sites to quantify where As and Sb are found and determine how environmental conditions affect metalloid partitioning between soils, sediments, and waters.
Wahyu Adi Nuhroho
Master of Science in Agriculture| School of Environmental & Rural Science
Email: wnugroho@myune.edu.au
Mitigation of Iron Toxicity in Rice on Acid Sulfate Soils by Silicon Application
Wahyu Nugroho is studying a Masters in Ag Science. Wahyu's project is investigating the effect of different source of silicon fertiliser in alleviating iron toxicity in some rice varieties on acid sulfate soils.
