Researcher biography

Sarit has completed her PhD at QAEHS in 2014, with a focus on the development and calibration of passive sampler technologies for monitoring emerging pollutants in water. Sarit obtained a Bachelor of Science with First Class Honours in Applied Chemistry at RMIT University, Melbourne in 2009 and has been awarded with the Vice Chancellor List for academic excellence, RMIT 2008 and 2009. Since 2014, when Sarit was appointed a research fellow at QAEHS, her research interests have focused on developing novel sampling and analytical methods and approaches to detect trends, levels and fate of persistent and emerging organic environmental pollutants including developing novel methods for the rapid screening and identification of chemical hazards in drinking and environmental samples. Emerging pollutants include; perfluorinated and brominated chemicals, disinfection by-products, pharmaceuticals and personal care products, pesticides, herbicides and natural toxins. Sarit's research into monitoring of trace organic pollutants has included pioneering work on the first passive sampling monitoring techniques for perfluorinated chemicals (PFAS). Through this work, the first PFAS sampler has been calibrated for use in groud water systems and waste water treatment plants. This development is an example of a first important step towards a new generation of samplers that can substantially increase the type and complexity of pollutants that we can routinely detect in environmental waters to better understand human exposure to toxic pollutants.

Featured projects Duration
Water Quality Micro-Pollutant Passive Sampler Monitoring Program
SeqWater
Evaluation and Implementation of Methods to Increase Comprehensiveness of Non-Target Analysis
ARC Linkage Project
20192023
Behaviour and Fate of Neonicotinoids in Australian Aquatic Environment
Goodman Foundation
Improved Monitoring of Hydrophilic Aquatic Contaminants of Emerging Concern
ARC Linkage Project
20202024
Sources and Fate of Contaminants in Aquatic Ecosystems Focusing on Persistence in Real Environments
Development and Application of Passive Sampling Technologies for Per and Poly-Fluorinated Substances
The Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP)
Innovative Sampling Strategies for Improved Wastewater-based Epidemiology
Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission
Microplastic Pollution: Nanoscale Surface Interactions and Public Perceptions
QUEX
20192023
Assessing Extent of Degradation and the Potential Effects on the Quantification of Microplastics in the Environment
PFAS Identification Algorithm from Mass and Fragmentation Data
National Health and Medical Research Council
Chemicals in Compostable Food Contact Paper Packaging Materials
ARC Linkage Project
Detecting Per-and-Polyfluoroalkyl Substances from Unidentified Chemical Compounds
National Health and Medical Research Council
Development of Passive Sampling Methodologies for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
The Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP)
La Niña Influence on Herbicide and Pesticide Transport to Moreton Bay's Delicate Seagrass Beds
Goodman Foundation
2022
Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) Contamination Including PFAS Sampling and Analysis
Queensland Government Department of Environment and Science
Development of Passive Sampling Methodologies for Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (Adance Queensland Women's Research Assistance Program)
Advance Queensland Women's Research Assistance Program
Improved Monitoring of Aquatic Pollutants in National Water Resources
ARC Linkage Project
Understanding Australia by Analysing Wastewater During the Census 2021
ARC Linkage Project
Pesticide Analysis for the Inshore Great Barrier Reef Marine Monitoring Program
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
A Global Platform for Identifying Emerging Chemical Threats
ARC Discovery Project
Reducing Glyphosate Exposure from High Use Practices
ARC Linkage Project
PFAS Contamination in Food Packaging Materials and their Flow-on Contamination
Australian Research Council