Dr Cassie Rauert
Dr

Cassie Rauert

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 334 61814

Background

Cassandra is a Research Fellow at QAEHS, joining the group in 2019. She completed her PhD at the University of Birmingham in 2014 where her research focussed on determining how humans are exposed to flame retardants from their indoor environments. Following her PhD she completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship at Environment and Climate Change Canada where she was the principal researcher for the Global Atmospheric Passive Sampling (GAPS) Network, researching chemicals of concern in the atmosphere. Following her Postdoctoral Fellowship she worked for the Oil Sands Monitoring Program in Canada, assisting with facilitating a multi-stakeholder funding program for assessing environmental impact of Oil Sands operations, before returning to Australia in 2019.

At QAEHS she is the project lead investigating human exposure to microplastics and developing new methods for detecting micro and nanoplastics in human matrices. Her other research interests include the impact of tyre road wear particles and the chemical additives they contain on urban water ways, and developing novel biomonitoring methods for assessing human exposure to chemicals of concern (e.g. silicone wristbands and breast implants).

Availability

Dr Cassie Rauert is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Analytical chemistry Analytical spectrometry Atmospheric composition, chemistry and processes Atmospheric sciences Chemical Sciences Earth Sciences Environmental Sciences Environmental management Instrumental methods (excl. immunological and bioassay methods)

Qualifications

  • Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), University of Sydney
  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Birmingham

Research interests

  • Impact of tyre wear and tyre additive chemicals on the environment

    Tyre road wear particles (TRWPs) are formed through every day abrasion of tyres on road surfaces and are now recognised as one of the largest sources of microplastics to the urban environment. Whilst being a significant source of microplastics they also contain a wide range of harmful additive chemicals. Our group is studying the occurrence, fate and impact of TRWPs and the chemicals they contain on the Australian environment with the aim of reducing their concentrations and impact.

  • Human exposure to plastics

    Humans are exposed to microsize and nanosize plastics everyday but there is still little understanding on this exposure, particularly their fate after we are exposed. In collaboration with the Minderoo foundation we are developing robust analytical methods to confidently quantify plastics in human matrices and assess if there is a risk from this exposure.

  • Environmental occurrence of microplastics

    Microplastics are one of the biggest pollution challenges the world is currently facing. Yet there is still limited understanding on sources and fate in the environment. Our research group at QAEHS is investigating how micro and nanosized plastics enter the environment, how they are transported through environmental compartments and their long term fate once in the environment. By understanding sources and fate we can implement measure to reduce and remove these pollutants.

  • Non-invasive samplers for human biomonitoring

    We are constantly exposed to a myriad of different chemicals in our everyday lives (the chemical exposome). There is still a lack on understanding on the extent of this exposure and the bioaccumulation of these chemicals within the human body. We are developing non-invasive samplers, coupled with non-target analysis techniques, to determine the human body burden of our chemical exposures. These methods include silicone wristbands and reclaiming medical waste (silicone breast implants) for analysis of exposure and accumulation.

Search Professor Cassie Rauert’s works on UQ eSpace

57 works between 2013 and 2024
All (57) Journal Article (57)

1 - 20 of 57 works

2024

Journal Article

UV sources and plastic composition influence microplastic surface degradation: implications for plastic weathering studies

Burrows, Stephen, Colwell, John, Costanzo, Sarah, Kaserzon, Sarit, Okoffo, Elvis, Ribeiro, Francisca, O'Brien, Stacey, Toapanta, Tania, Rauert, Cassandra, Thomas, Kevin V. and Galloway, Tamara (2024). UV sources and plastic composition influence microplastic surface degradation: implications for plastic weathering studies. Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances, 14 100428, 100428. doi: 10.1016/j.hazadv.2024.100428

UV sources and plastic composition influence microplastic surface degradation: implications for plastic weathering studies

2024

Journal Article

Blueprint for the design, construction, and validation of a plastic and phthalate-minimised laboratory

Rauert, Cassandra, Wang, Xianyu, Charlton, Nathan, Lin, Chun-Yin, Tang, Cheng, Zammit, Ian, Jayarathne, Ayomi, Symeonides, Christos, White, Emily, Christensen, Michael, Ponomariova, Valentina, Mueller, Jochen F., Thomas, Kevin V. and Dunlop, Sarah (2024). Blueprint for the design, construction, and validation of a plastic and phthalate-minimised laboratory. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 468 133803, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133803

Blueprint for the design, construction, and validation of a plastic and phthalate-minimised laboratory

2024

Journal Article

Deep dive into the chronic toxicity of tyre particle mixtures and their leachates

Boisseaux, Paul, Rauert, Cassandra, Dewapriya, Pradeep, Delignette-Muller, Marie-Laure, Barrett, Robyn, Durndell, Lee, Pohl, Florian, Thompson, Richard, Thomas, Kevin V. and Galloway, Tamara (2024). Deep dive into the chronic toxicity of tyre particle mixtures and their leachates. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 466 133580, 133580. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133580

Deep dive into the chronic toxicity of tyre particle mixtures and their leachates

2023

Journal Article

A Hitchhiker's guide to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) monitoring in air: establishing a baseline network in Sri Lanka

Vlahos, Penny, Shipley, Emma R., Rauert, Cassandra, Tung, Phoebe, Chandrajith, Rohanna, Wickramarathna, Sudeera and Harner, Tom (2023). A Hitchhiker's guide to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) monitoring in air: establishing a baseline network in Sri Lanka. Atmospheric Pollution Research, 14 (12) 101901, 101901. doi: 10.1016/j.apr.2023.101901

A Hitchhiker's guide to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) monitoring in air: establishing a baseline network in Sri Lanka

2023

Journal Article

Evaluation and identification of chemical migrants leached from baby food pouch packaging

Tang, Cheng, Gómez Ramos, María José, Heffernan, Amy, Kaserzon, Sarit, Rauert, Cassandra, Lin, Chun-Yin, Mueller, Jochen F. and Wang, Xianyu (2023). Evaluation and identification of chemical migrants leached from baby food pouch packaging. Chemosphere, 340 139758, 139758. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139758

Evaluation and identification of chemical migrants leached from baby food pouch packaging

2023

Journal Article

Impacts of proximity to primary source areas on concentrations of POPs at global sampling stations estimated from land cover information

Schuster, Jasmin K., Harner, Tom and Rauert, Cassandra (2023). Impacts of proximity to primary source areas on concentrations of POPs at global sampling stations estimated from land cover information. ACS Omega, 8 (39), 36016-36024. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.3c04065

Impacts of proximity to primary source areas on concentrations of POPs at global sampling stations estimated from land cover information

2023

Journal Article

NORMAN guidance on suspect and non-target screening in environmental monitoring

Hollender, Juliane, Schymanski, Emma L., Ahrens, Lutz, Alygizakis, Nikiforos, Béen, Frederic, Bijlsma, Lubertus, Brunner, Andrea M., Celma, Alberto, Fildier, Aurelie, Fu, Qiuguo, Gago-Ferrero, Pablo, Gil-Solsona, Ruben, Haglund, Peter, Hansen, Martin, Kaserzon, Sarit, Kruve, Anneli, Lamoree, Marja, Margoum, Christelle, Meijer, Jeroen, Merel, Sylvain, Rauert, Cassandra, Rostkowski, Pawel, Samanipour, Saer, Schulze, Bastian, Schulze, Tobias, Singh, Randolph R., Slobodnik, Jaroslav, Steininger-Mairinger, Teresa, Thomaidis, Nikolaos S. ... Krauss, Martin (2023). NORMAN guidance on suspect and non-target screening in environmental monitoring. Environmental Sciences Europe, 35 (1) 75. doi: 10.1186/s12302-023-00779-4

NORMAN guidance on suspect and non-target screening in environmental monitoring

2023

Journal Article

InSpectra – A Platform for Identifying Emerging Chemical Threats

Feraud, Mathieu, O’Brien, Jake W., Samanipour, Saer, Dewapriya, Pradeep, van Herwerden, Denice, Kaserzon, Sarit, Wood, Ian, Rauert, Cassandra and Thomas, Kevin V. (2023). InSpectra – A Platform for Identifying Emerging Chemical Threats. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 455 131486, 1-15. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131486

InSpectra – A Platform for Identifying Emerging Chemical Threats

2023

Journal Article

Analytical challenges and possibilities for the quantification of tire-road wear particles

Rødland, Elisabeth S., Gustafsson, Mats, Jaramillo-Vogel, David, Järlskog, Ida, Müller, Kathrin, Rauert, Cassandra, Rausch, Juanita and Wagner, Stephan (2023). Analytical challenges and possibilities for the quantification of tire-road wear particles. TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry, 165 117121. doi: 10.1016/j.trac.2023.117121

Analytical challenges and possibilities for the quantification of tire-road wear particles

2023

Journal Article

High-resolution mass spectrometric profiling of stormwater in an Australian creek

Dewapriya, Pradeep, Rousis, Nikolaos, Rauert, Cassandra, Thomaidis, Nikolaos S. and Thomas, Kevin V. (2023). High-resolution mass spectrometric profiling of stormwater in an Australian creek. ACS ES and T Water, 3 (8), 2502-2511. doi: 10.1021/acsestwater.3c00119

High-resolution mass spectrometric profiling of stormwater in an Australian creek

2023

Journal Article

Characterization and quantification of oxidative stress induced particle debris from polypropylene surgical mesh

Farr, Nicholas T. H., Rauert, Cassandra, Knight, Alexander J., Tartakovskii, Alexander I. and Thomas, Kevin V. (2023). Characterization and quantification of oxidative stress induced particle debris from polypropylene surgical mesh. Nano Select, 4 (6), 395-407. doi: 10.1002/nano.202200243

Characterization and quantification of oxidative stress induced particle debris from polypropylene surgical mesh

2023

Journal Article

Assessment of background plastics contamination from human respiratory tract sample collection vessels

Okoffo, Elvis D., Rauert, Cassandra, Boots, Robert, Fielding, David, Bashiradeh, Farzard, Singh, Mahendra and Thomas, Kevin V. (2023). Assessment of background plastics contamination from human respiratory tract sample collection vessels. Water Emerging Contaminants and Nanoplastics, 1 (1) 4, 1-9. doi: 10.20517/wecn.2022.22

Assessment of background plastics contamination from human respiratory tract sample collection vessels

2023

Journal Article

There's something in the air: a review of sources, prevalence and behaviour of microplastics in the atmosphere

O'Brien, Stacey, Rauert, Cassandra, Ribeiro, Francisca, Okoffo, Elvis D., Burrows, Stephen D., O'Brien, Jake W., Wang, Xianyu, Wright, Stephanie L. and Thomas, Kevin V. (2023). There's something in the air: a review of sources, prevalence and behaviour of microplastics in the atmosphere. Science of the Total Environment, 874 162193, 1-33. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162193

There's something in the air: a review of sources, prevalence and behaviour of microplastics in the atmosphere

2023

Journal Article

Mass quantification of microplastic at wastewater treatment plants by pyrolysis-gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

Okoffo, Elvis D., Rauert, Cassandra and Thomas, Kevin V. (2023). Mass quantification of microplastic at wastewater treatment plants by pyrolysis-gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Science of the Total Environment, 856 (Part 2) 159251, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159251

Mass quantification of microplastic at wastewater treatment plants by pyrolysis-gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

2022

Journal Article

Tyre additive chemicals, tyre road wear particles and high production polymers in surface water at 5 urban centres in Queensland, Australia

Rauert, Cassandra, Vardy, Suzanne, Daniell, Benjamin, Charlton, Nathan and Thomas, Kevin V. (2022). Tyre additive chemicals, tyre road wear particles and high production polymers in surface water at 5 urban centres in Queensland, Australia. Science of the Total Environment, 852 158468, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158468

Tyre additive chemicals, tyre road wear particles and high production polymers in surface water at 5 urban centres in Queensland, Australia

2022

Journal Article

Identification and quantification of micro-bioplastics in environmental samples by pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

Okoffo, Elvis D., Chan, Clement Matthew, Rauert, Cassandra, Kaserzon, Sarit and Thomas, Kevin V. (2022). Identification and quantification of micro-bioplastics in environmental samples by pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Environmental Science and Technology, 56 (19), 13774-13785. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.2c04091

Identification and quantification of micro-bioplastics in environmental samples by pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

2022

Journal Article

Occurrence of tire and road wear particles in urban and peri-urban snowbanks, and their potential environmental implications

Rødland, Elisabeth S., Lind, Ole Christian, Reid, Malcolm J., Heier, Lene S., Okoffo, Elvis D., Rauert, Cassandra, Thomas, Kevin V. and Meland, Sondre (2022). Occurrence of tire and road wear particles in urban and peri-urban snowbanks, and their potential environmental implications. Science of The Total Environment, 824 153785, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153785

Occurrence of tire and road wear particles in urban and peri-urban snowbanks, and their potential environmental implications

2022

Journal Article

The message on the bottle: rethinking plastic labelling to better encourage sustainable use

Burrows, Stephen D., Ribeiro, Francisca, O'Brien, Stacey, Okoffo, Elvis, Toapanta, Tania, Charlton, Nathan, Kaserzon, Sarit, Lin, Chun-Yin, Tang, Cheng, Rauert, Cassandra, Wang, Xianyu, Shimko, Katja, O'Brien, Jake, Townsend, Piers A., Grayson, Matthew N., Galloway, Tamara and Thomas, Kevin V. (2022). The message on the bottle: rethinking plastic labelling to better encourage sustainable use. Environmental Science and Policy, 132, 109-118. doi: 10.1016/j.envsci.2022.02.015

The message on the bottle: rethinking plastic labelling to better encourage sustainable use

2022

Journal Article

Does size matter? Quantification of plastics associated with size fractionated biosolids

Okoffo, Elvis D., O'Brien, Stacey, O'Brien, Jake W., Tscharke, Benjamin J., Rauert, Cassandra, Rødland, Elisabeth S., Ribeiro, Francisca, Burrows, Stephen D., Toapanta, Tania, Mueller, Jochen F. and Thomas, Kevin V. (2022). Does size matter? Quantification of plastics associated with size fractionated biosolids. Science of The Total Environment, 811 152382, 152382. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152382

Does size matter? Quantification of plastics associated with size fractionated biosolids

2022

Journal Article

Phthalate esters in face masks and associated inhalation exposure risk

Wang, Xianyu, Okoffo, Elvis D., Banks, Andrew P. W., Li, Yan, Thomas, Kevin V., Rauert, Cassandra, Aylward, Lesa L. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2022). Phthalate esters in face masks and associated inhalation exposure risk. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 423 (Pt A) 127001, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127001

Phthalate esters in face masks and associated inhalation exposure risk

Current funding

  • 2024
    All 'roads' flow to the sea, capturing road-based plastic pollution
    Central Queensland University
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2028
    ARC Training Centre for Hyphenated Analytical Separation Technologies (ARC ITRP administered by the University of Tasmania)
    University of Tasmania
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2027
    Identification of chemical and biological determinants, their sources, and strategies to promote healthier homes in Europe (INQUIRE)
    NHMRC European Union Collaborative Research Grants
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2020
    The first environmental assessment of vulcanisation agents from microplastic tyre wear particles in the Australian environment.
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant

Availability

Dr Cassie Rauert is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Available projects

  • Non-invasive samplers for characterising chemical exposure

    We are continually exposed to a complex mixture of chemical pollutants through several pathways. Our exposures are highly specific, with different patterns of exposure from the different aspects of our lives. Increasing complexity in the chemicals being used and produced makes characterising this exposure increasingly challenging. To address this challenge there is a need for improved and robust biomonitoring methods to understand the complete picture of our exposures which will facilitate effective mitigation strategies against exposure to chemicals of high concern.

    This project will develop and apply polydimethylsiloxane (silicone) as a non-invasive human biomonitoring device to advancing understanding on key and unknown chemical exposures to the Australian population. Using silicone wristbands and donated silicone prostheses (breast implants) chemical exposures in a range of scenarios will be quantified through both target and non-target chemical analysis using chromatographic techniques coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/LC-MS). The successful applicant will have access to a range of archived samplers specific to various exposure scenarios as well as the advanced analytical instrumentation necessary to successfully complete the project.

Supervision history

Current supervision

Enquiries

Contact Dr Cassie Rauert directly for media enquiries about:

  • environmental impact of tyres
  • Microplastics
  • tyre chemicals
  • tyre wear in the environment

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communications@uq.edu.au