QAEHS in Focus shines the spotlight on QAEHS staff and students to showcase the expertise and talent within our Centre
How long have you worked at QAEHS?
I first came to QAEHS mid-2021. But have been in my current role for about 1.5 years.
How do you explain your job to people?
I usually start by saying I’m a scientist. Then if asked what sort of science I explain that I look at chemicals in the environment and people, through testing things like air, water, soil, and biological samples. Then if they are still interested, I could ramble on about the how, what, when, where and whys of everything to do with the projects I’ve worked / am working on.
What is your favourite thing about working at QAEHS?
That it is QAEHS! We are lucky to have some of the best equipment and world class facilities, allowing for exceptional learning opportunities and quality work to be produced. Additionally, the people at QAEHS make it such a welcoming and fun place to work.
What is something you learned in the last week?
I love fun facts, and am constantly looking up new ones, or on Thursdays listening to Dr Karl on Tripple J! A couple I learnt recently which I thought were cool are… A day on Venus is longer than a year. It takes longer for the planet to rotate once on its axis then to complete one orbit of the Sun. Also, apparently a Sloth can move up to three times faster in water than on the land and can hold its breath for up to 40 minutes (longer than a dolphin).
What has been your career path that led to your current position at QAEHS?
For what seems like such as short time, quite a lot has happened! I worked as a Technical Officer in the Chemistry Core Facility at Griffith Uni during the last year of my Bachelors degree. Which involved research support as well as demonstrating and developing practical components for undergraduate Chemistry courses. I graduated from university (during the middle of COVID) and went to work at Viatris (a pharmaceutical company) for a short while. Here I wrote annual Product Quality Reviews of medicines produced or packaged on-site, before returning to my previous role at Griffith. Then during a job interview for a different position at QAEHS I met the one and only Fisher. Whilst I wasn’t successful for that position at the time, Fisher asked whether I would be interested in undertaking further studies at QAEHS. So, in Aug 2021 I joined QAEHS to do my Honours year, researching PFAS contamination in the indoor environment (with an emphasis on fire stations and the associated occupational exposure). At the same time, I joined the Southern Ocean Persistent Organic Pollutants Program (SOPOPP) at Griffith. At SOPOPP I was primarily working on collecting and extracting whale blubber samples for the analysis of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), as well as managing a small organic chemistry laboratory. After finishing my Honours project, I continued to work at both QAEHS and SOPOPP and during this time had the incredible opportunity to lead a research expedition to Antarctica to conduct a latitudinal sample collection of sea water. Towards the end of 2023 I joined the Minderoo team at QAEHS full-time and have been here since!
What research are you working on now?
I am currently working on the Minderoo Foundation funded project on Plastics and Human Health, primarily investigating plastic additive chemicals in human matrices.
What is your favourite movie?
Interstellar! It’s such a great movie. Although an honourable mention goes to Step Brothers!
Random fact you would like to share about yourself.
I’ve been to 6/7 continents. I enjoy travelling to see new places and explore different cultures!
