Lancaster Environment Centre

Since my appointment, I have strategically developed and managed an active research team, supported by excellent analytical (LC-MS, GC-MS, HPLC-14C detector, sample oxidisation, liquid scintillation counting) and microbiological facilities (incubation, handling, 12C- and 14C-respirometry). The main fields of research interest include understanding fundamental processes affecting organic contaminant-biota interactions in soils; availability of pesticide residues in soils, and risk assessment and bioremediation of contaminated land. A particular area of expertise lies in organic contaminant bioavailability in soil, and it is in this area where my reputation is best known internationally. Funding has come from NERC, BBSRC, EPSRC, the EU, Government agencies, including the DTI and Pesticide Safety Directorate; environmental consultancies, such as Remedios and BAE Systems, and industry, including National Grid and Syngenta, all of which equates to over £2 million pounds in funding. Output from these areas has led to the publication of over 130 peer-reviewed journal, book chapters and international conference papers.

Current Staff and Postgraduate Students

• Dr Tony Gutierrez (EU-funded research fellow, 2008-2011), in collaboration with Prof Mike Aitken at the University of North Carolina. Marine micro-algae as global reservoir of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon degraders (MARPAH).
• Paul Arthur (NERC Industrial CASE PhD 2006 – 2010, with Remedios Ltd). Understanding the physical constraints to biodegradation of organic contaminants in soil.
• Chris Howell (BBSRC studentship 2007-2011), based at HRI-Warwick with Dr Gary Bending. Impact of pesticides on microbial activity in soil.
• Uche Okere (self-funded PhD, 2008-2012). Impact of nanoparticles on the bioaccessibility of petroleum oil in Nigerian soils.
• Aniefiok Ite (self-funded PhD, 2008-2012). Biodegradation and toxicity of petroleum-derived chemical wastes.
• Ifeyinwa Obuekwe (Petroleum Technology Development Fund (Nigeria) PhD, 2008-2012). Biodegradation of organic contaminants in soil.
• Matt Riding (self-funded PhD, 2009-2013). Impact of nanoparticles on the bioaccessibility of organic contaminants.
• Ayodeji Oyelami (self-funded PhD, 2009-2013). Impact of nano- and micro-particulate black carbon on organic contaminant bioaccessibility in soil.
• Bilqees Adedigba (Commonwealth Scholarship-funded PhD, 2009-2013). Determining bioremediation endpoints in contaminated soil.
• Uchenna Ogbonnaya (self-funded PhD, 2009-2013). Impact of biochar on the accessibility of organic chemicals in soil.
• Shams Usmani (Commonwealth Scholarship -funded visiting PhD, 2009-2010). Microbiology of wastewater treatment.

Collaborations

• Dr Graeme Paton, University of Aberdeen, UK
• Dr Brian Reid, School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, UK
• Dr Gary Bending, Horticulture Research International, University of Warwick, UK
• Prof. Simon Pollard, Cranfield University, UK
• Dr Fred Coulon, Cranfield University, UK
• Dr Peter Burauel, Forschungszentrum Juelich, Germany
• Dr Jakub Hofman, University of Masaryk, Czech Republic
• Dr Lukas Wick, UFZ Leipzig, Germany
• Prof Hauke Harms, UFZ Leipzig, Germany
• Prof Mike Aitken, University of North Carolina, USA

Scientific Committees

• SETAC Europe 2010 ‘Science and Technology Environmental Protection’ Scientific Committee, Sevilla, Spain. 23-27 May 2010.
• Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) Peer Review College (2008-2011).

Journals

• Editorial board, Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
• Subject editor, Soil Biology and Biochemistry
• Editorial board, Applied Soil Ecology
• Subject editor, Journal of Soil and Sediment
• Editorial board, Soil & Sediment Contamination: an International Journal
• Editorial board, Journal of Applied Microbiology and Letters in Applied Microbiology