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Our people-our expertise: Dr Tatiana Komarova

Our people-our expertise

Dr Tatiana Komarova

Qualifications | Research interests | Publications | Presentations | Memberships

Tatiana has over 25 years experience in analytical, inorganic and environmental chemistry analysing water, soil, sediment and biological samples using different analytical methods: ion chromatography (IC), atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS), Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometry (ICP-OES, ICP-MS), High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Flow-Injection Analysis (FLA).

During her post-doctoral research fellowship at the University of Queensland Chemistry Department, she participated in teaching and laboratory supervision of students. Her post-doctoral research project won a prize from the Jury of the International Congress on Analytical Chemistry in 1997.

While working at the University of Queensland, she was in charge of the Anthropogenic Pollution Laboratory and had participated in a number of research consultancy projects related to the application and development of passive sampling techniques for monitoring organic pollutants in the environment.

Tatiana has co-supervised over 20 research, Diploma and PhD projects, and delivered training to PhD students. She has published over 70 articles. She is currently supervising the following projects:

  • Development of methodology for evaluation of the effectiveness of remediation of sites contaminated with industrial chromium by products (collaborative project with UQ)
  • Sample stability evaluation in Standard Water Analysis.
  • Development and validation of the method for pH 2 extraction of Chromium III (commonwealth Contract/Consultancy Services).

She was a principal investigator of the following projects:

  • Application of ICP-MS for the analysis of nanoparticles in environmental and food samples.
  • Analysis of trace and rare earth elements in human blood for establishment of reference range in Queensland using ICP-MS techniques.
  • Evaluation of rare earth and heavy metals transfer along the Burdekin River.
  • Assessment of maternal-infant status of essential trace elements in lactating mothers and their pre-term infants.

Tatiana has worked at Forensic and Scientific Services since 2009 and was a principle researcher on a project aimed at development and application of the Diffusive Gradients in Thin films (DGT) technique for the measurement of dissolved metals in water.  This project was a finalist in the 2011 Premier's Award for Excellence in Public Service Delivery, and initiated research cooperation with the University of Queensland, University of NSW, Kazan Federal University, St. Petersburg State Hydrological Institute (Russia), and Khon Kaen University (Thailand).

Her recent research related to the Utilizing Lead Isotope Source Tracing Techniques to Examine Sustainable Agriculture Practice in the Burdekin Catchment (Queensland Australia) received the 2022 Sustainability Promotion Award by the United Nations University Institute for Advanced Study of Sustainability. 

She works in cooperation with Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences and Centre for Mined Land Rehabilitation of the University of Queensland, School of Medical Science of the Griffith University, University of Girona and the Department of Environmental Chemistry of the Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research of Spanish National Research Council (CSIC).

Tatiana is Honorary Fellow with the Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences, University of Queensland, and Adjunct Senior Lecturer in the School of Medical Science, Griffith University.

Qualifications

  • Master of Science (Chemistry). Lomonosov State University, Moscow, Russia.
  • PhD in Analytical Chemistry: Ion chromatographic determination of EDTA complexes of some III-V group elements of the Periodic System. Lomonosov State University, Moscow, Russia.
  • Post-doctoral research course. University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld.
  • Dual Diploma of Management and Human Resource Management. TAFE Queensland.
  • Diploma of Business. TAFE Queensland.
  • a NATA technical assessor 
  • AQIS Quarantine accreditation.
  • State Analyst under the Health Act 1937 and the Public Health Act 2005 since September 2017.

Research interests and expertise

  • Standard water analysis
  • Application of ICP-MS for the analysis of nanoparticles in environmental and food samples.
  • Development of new ICPMS methods using Triple Quadrupole ICP-MS (ICP-QQQ).
  • Enhancement and consolidation of DGT application for monitoring low levels of dissolved metals in water and sediments.

Recent publications

Mahmood S, Tanvir EM, Komarova T, Islam MN, Khatun M, Hossain MF, Ng JC, Whitfield KM, Hossain MS, Khalil MI, Shaw PN, (2023). Relationships between growth indicators, liver and kidney function markers, and blood concentrations of essential and potentially toxic elements in environmentally exposed young children. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health. DOI:  10.1016/j.ijheh.2023.114237

Henderson F, Noller B, Komarova T, (2022). Utilizing Lead Isotope Source Tracing Techniques to Examine Sustainable Agriculture Practice in the Burdekin Catchment, Australia. International Journal of Environmental and Rural Development. DOI: 10.32115/ijerd.13.1_111 

Presentations

March 2022: Utilizing Lead Isotope Source Tracing Techniques to Examine Sustainable Agriculture Practice in the Burdekin Catchment, Queensland Australia, with Henderson F, Noller B. In: 13th ICERD - International Conference on Environmental and Rural Development, Tokyo, Japan.

July 2022: Influence of Large-Scale Dam on Downstream Metal and Metalloid Aquatic Toxicity, with Henderson F, Noller B. In: RACI 2022 National Congress, Brisbane, Australia. 

December 2021: Significance of Colloidal Forms on Mercury (Hg) Dispersion within the Tropical Burdekin River Environment, Queensland, with Henderson FM, Noller B, Cross M, Comino E. In: ANSTO Mercury Australia Symposium.

 

Memberships


Dr Tatiana Komarova
Supervising Scientist, Inorganic Chemistry
Public and Environmental Health
email: Tatiana.Komarova@health.qld.gov.au
phone: +61 7 3096 2804