Current

Current Group Members

Ph.D. Candidates & Students

Yuchao Wan
Ph.D. Candidate. Department of Physical & Environmental Sciences. University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.
M.Sc. Environmental Sciences & Technology. Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK. 2014.
B.Sc. Environmental Sciences. Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China. 2012.

I have a compelling interest in measuring toxic persistent chemicals in our environment as well as developing predictive models to determine a process level understanding of their fate and behaviour. Currently my research focuses on assessing levels of selected semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) from indoor environments.

Publications: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Yuchao_Wan
Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuchaowan/

Linh Viet Nguyen
Ph.D. Candidate. Environmental Sciences. University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.
M.Sc. Water and Environmental Management. University of Brighton, Brighton, UK. 2013.
B.Sc. Analytical Chemistry with Business. University of Brighton, Brighton, UK. 2012.

My research interests are the development of environmental remediation techniques, air sampling techniques, and analytical and environmental chemistry. Currently, I am investigating the exposure of flame retardants among electronic waste recycling workers. The board interest is towards the exposure of flame retardants in the occupational health field.

Publications: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Linh_Nguyen65

Tim Rodgers
Ph.D. Candidate. Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry. University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.
B.A.Sc. (Hons.) Environmental Engineering, Co-op Program; Water Resources Option. University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON. 2016.

My research is in investigating the emissions and fate of persistent mobile organic compounds using multimedia fugacity modelling. This project is part of an NSERC strategic grant led by Dr. Elodie Passeport, with Dr. Jennifer Drake and Dr. Miriam Diamond. The project aims to demystify the inner working of storm water BCs, looking at the hydrological, chemical, and physical processes that determine the performance of BCs in order to better predict their behaviour and to optimize their design.

Publications: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Tim_Rodgers

Samantha (Sam) Athey
Ph.D. Candidate. Department of Earth Sciences. University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.
M.Sc. Marine Science. University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC, USA. 2018.
B.Sc. (Hons.) Marine Biology. University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC, USA. 2016.

My principal research interests revolve around investigating the sources and release pathways of anthropogenic microfibers, microplastics and associated chemical contaminants to the environment. I am also working on the Laundry Project in an effort to explore methods to mitigate these releases. Learn more about microfiber pollution and my research through my blog: Microfiber Pollution Project.

Publications: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sam_Athey

Website: https://www.samanthanathey.com/

Jacob Kvasnicka
Ph.D. Candidate. Department of Earth Sciences. University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.
M.S. Environmental Health Sciences. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
B.S. Environmental Science. Wheaton College, IL, USA.

I am developing numerical simulations to understand how human occupants can influence the transport and fate of semivolatile organic compounds in indoor environments, and how this, in turn, influences human exposure.

Publications: https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/2150448649_Jacob_Kvasnicka

Sara Vaezafshar
Ph.D. Student. Department of Earth Sciences. University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.
M.Sc. Textile Science. University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
B.Sc. Applied Chemistry. University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Mazandaran, Iran.

My research is concerned with human exposure to semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in indoor environments. Currently, I am measuring temporal changes in SVOC concentrations in Canadian residences before and after occupation. Also, I am identifying factors that influence indoor SVOC levels and dynamics.

Jasmine Yu
M.Sc. Candidate. Department of Earth Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.
B.Sc. Environment and Health and Human Biology. University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.

My research interests are investigating temporal and spatial distribution of microplastics in freshwater systems. Currently, my project focuses on identifying sources and pathways of microplastics released into the Great Lakes Basin. My primary goal is to provide information for source specific reduction efforts.