Prof Chris Higgins

Prof Higgins’ research activities at Colorado School of Mines (CSM) closely align with QAEHS’ core objectives and our leading role in monitoring, remediation and health impacts of PFAS. He leads a team of researchers and students at the Centre for Environmental Risk Assessment at CSM and has considerable involvement with research at a national and international level (h-index of 40). Prof Higgins was one of the first researchers in the world to characterise PFAS behaviour in the environment (over 12 years ago). His early work has been the foundation for an expanding body of work into PFAS treatment and remediation approaches that are of critical importance today to contaminated land managers, regulators and the wider community. His breadth of experience and expertise in these areas will be of high benefit to the ongoing and future research at QAEHS. Prof Higgins is a PI on a recent ARC Special Research Initiative for PFAS remediation awarded to Prof Jochen Mueller at QAEHS and a co-CI on a SERDP proposal recently submitted to the US Department of Defence by a QAEHS ECR, Dr Sarit Kaserzon. These collaborations have initiated sharing of knowledge, harmonisation of advanced analytical methods, and hosting of staff and students between QAEHS and CSM. It is envisaged that Prof Higgins and his team will play an important role in QAEHS’ ongoing work in PFAS and other emerging chemicals of concern.