Dr Cassie Rauert
Dr

Cassie Rauert

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 334 61814

Background

Cassandra is a Senior 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

63 works between 2013 and 2025
All (63) Journal Article (63)

41 - 60 of 63 works

2020

Journal Article

Road de-icing salt: Assessment of a potential new source and pathway of microplastics particles from roads

Rødland, Elisabeth S., Okoffo, Elvis D., Rauert, Cassandra, Heier, Lene S., Lind, Ole Christian, Reid, Malcolm, Thomas, Kevin V. and Meland, Sondre (2020). Road de-icing salt: Assessment of a potential new source and pathway of microplastics particles from roads. Science of the Total Environment, 738 139352, 139352. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139352

Road de-icing salt: Assessment of a potential new source and pathway of microplastics particles from roads

2019

Journal Article

Flame retardants in urban air: a case study in Toronto targeting distinct source sectors

Saini, Amandeep, Clarke, Jenna, Jariyasopit, Narumol, Rauert, Cassandra, Schuster, Jasmin K., Halappanavar, Sabina, Evans, Greg J., Su, Yushan and Harner, Tom (2019). Flame retardants in urban air: a case study in Toronto targeting distinct source sectors. Environmental Pollution, 247, 89-97. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.01.027

Flame retardants in urban air: a case study in Toronto targeting distinct source sectors

2019

Journal Article

Levels and trends of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances in the Arctic environment – an update

Muir, D., Bossi, Rossana, Carlsson, Pernilla, Evans, Marlene, De Silva, A., Halsall, Crispin, Rauert, Cassandra, Herzke, D., Hung, Hayley, Letcher, Robert, Rigét, F. and Roos, Anna (2019). Levels and trends of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances in the Arctic environment – an update. Emerging Contaminants, 5, 240-271. doi: 10.1016/j.emcon.2019.06.002

Levels and trends of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances in the Arctic environment – an update

2018

Journal Article

Air monitoring of new and legacy POPs in the Group of Latin America and Caribbean (GRULAC) region

Rauert, Cassandra, Harner, Tom, Schuster, Jasmin K., Eng, Anita, Fillmann, Gilberto, Eugenia Castillo, Luisa, Fentanes, Oscar, Villa Ibarra, Martin, Miglioranza, Karina S. B., Moreno Rivadeneira, Isabel, Pozo, Karla and Aristizabal Zuluaga, Beatriz Helena (2018). Air monitoring of new and legacy POPs in the Group of Latin America and Caribbean (GRULAC) region. Environmental Pollution, 243, 1252-1262. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.09.048

Air monitoring of new and legacy POPs in the Group of Latin America and Caribbean (GRULAC) region

2018

Journal Article

Air synthesis review: polycyclic aromatic compounds in the oil sands region

Harner, Tom, Rauert, Cassandra, Muir, Derek, Schuster, Jasmin K., Hsu, Yu-Mei, Zhang, Leiming, Marson, George, Watson, John G., Ahad, Jason, Cho, Sunny, Jariyasopit, Narumol, Kirk, Jane, Korosi, Jennifer, Landis, Matthew S., Martin, Jonathan W., Zhang, Yifeng, Fernie, Kim, Wentworth, Gregory R., Wnorowski, Andrzej, Dabek, Ewa, Charland, Jean-Pierre, Pauli, Bruce, Wania, Frank, Galarneau, Elisabeth, Cheng, Irene, Makar, Paul, Whaley, Cynthia, Chow, Judith C. and Wang, Xiaoliang (2018). Air synthesis review: polycyclic aromatic compounds in the oil sands region. Environmental Reviews, 26 (4), 430-468. doi: 10.1139/er-2018-0039

Air synthesis review: polycyclic aromatic compounds in the oil sands region

2018

Journal Article

Atmospheric Concentrations of New Persistent Organic Pollutants and Emerging Chemicals of Concern in the Group of Latin America and Caribbean (GRULAC) Region

Rauert, Cassandra, Harner, Tom, Schuster, Jasmin K., Eng, Anita, Fillmann, Gilberto, Castillo, Luisa Eugenia, Fentanes, Oscar, Villa Ibarra, Martín, Miglioranza, Karina S. B., Moreno Rivadeneira, Isabel, Pozo, Karla and Aristizábal Zuluaga, Beatriz Helena (2018). Atmospheric Concentrations of New Persistent Organic Pollutants and Emerging Chemicals of Concern in the Group of Latin America and Caribbean (GRULAC) Region. Environmental Science and Technology, 52 (13), 7240-7249. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.8b00995

Atmospheric Concentrations of New Persistent Organic Pollutants and Emerging Chemicals of Concern in the Group of Latin America and Caribbean (GRULAC) Region

2018

Journal Article

Atmospheric concentrations and trends of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and volatile methyl siloxanes (VMS) over 7 years of sampling in the Global Atmospheric Passive Sampling (GAPS) network

Rauert, Cassandra, Shoieb, Mahiba, Schuster, Jasmin K., Eng, Anita and Harner, Tom (2018). Atmospheric concentrations and trends of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and volatile methyl siloxanes (VMS) over 7 years of sampling in the Global Atmospheric Passive Sampling (GAPS) network. Environmental Pollution, 238, 94-102. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.03.017

Atmospheric concentrations and trends of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and volatile methyl siloxanes (VMS) over 7 years of sampling in the Global Atmospheric Passive Sampling (GAPS) network

2018

Journal Article

Global atmospheric concentrations of brominated and chlorinated flame retardants and organophosphate esters

Rauert, Cassandra, Schuster, Jasmin K., Eng, Anita and Harner, Tom (2018). Global atmospheric concentrations of brominated and chlorinated flame retardants and organophosphate esters. Environmental Science & Technology, 52 (5), 2777-2789. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.7b06239

Global atmospheric concentrations of brominated and chlorinated flame retardants and organophosphate esters

2018

Journal Article

A critical review on passive sampling in air and water for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs)

Lai, Foon Yin, Rauert, Cassandra, Gobelius, Laura and Ahrens, Lutz (2018). A critical review on passive sampling in air and water for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). TrAC - Trends in Analytical Chemistry, 121 115311, 115311. doi: 10.1016/j.trac.2018.11.009

A critical review on passive sampling in air and water for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs)

2017

Journal Article

Predictors of human PBDE body burdens for a UK cohort

Bramwell, L., Harrad, S., Abdallah, M. Abou-Elwafa, Rauert, C., Rose, M., Fernandes, A. and Pless-Mulloli, T. (2017). Predictors of human PBDE body burdens for a UK cohort. Chemosphere, 189, 186-197. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.08.062

Predictors of human PBDE body burdens for a UK cohort

2017

Journal Article

Characterization and modeling of polycyclic aromatic compound uptake into spruce tree wood

Rauert, Cassandra, Kananathalingam, Ajitha and Harner, Tom (2017). Characterization and modeling of polycyclic aromatic compound uptake into spruce tree wood. Environmental Science & Technology, 51 (9), 5287-5295. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.7b01297

Characterization and modeling of polycyclic aromatic compound uptake into spruce tree wood

2016

Journal Article

Towards a regional passive air sampling network and strategy for new POPs in the GRULAC region: Perspectives from the GAPS Network and first results for organophosphorus flame retardants

Rauert, Cassandra, Harner, Tom, Schuster, Jasmin K., Quinto, Karen, Fillmann, Gilberto, Castillo, Luisa Eugenia, Fentanes, Oscar, Ibarra, Martin Villa, Miglioranza, Karina S. B., Rivadeneira, Isabel Moreno, Pozo, Karla, Puerta, Andrea Padilla and Zuluagaj, Beatriz Helena Aristizabal (2016). Towards a regional passive air sampling network and strategy for new POPs in the GRULAC region: Perspectives from the GAPS Network and first results for organophosphorus flame retardants. Science of the Total Environment, 573, 1294-1302. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.06.229

Towards a regional passive air sampling network and strategy for new POPs in the GRULAC region: Perspectives from the GAPS Network and first results for organophosphorus flame retardants

2016

Journal Article

Emission of poly and perfluoroalkyl substances, UV-filters and siloxanes to air from wastewater treatment plants

Shoeib, Mahiba, Schuster, Jasmin, Rauert, Cassandra, Su, Ky, Smyth, Shirley-Anne and Harner, Tom (2016). Emission of poly and perfluoroalkyl substances, UV-filters and siloxanes to air from wastewater treatment plants. Environmental Pollution, 218, 595-604. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2016.07.043

Emission of poly and perfluoroalkyl substances, UV-filters and siloxanes to air from wastewater treatment plants

2016

Journal Article

Does the source migration pathway of HBCDs to household dust influence their bio-accessibility?

Garcia-Alcega, Sonia, Rauert, Cassie, Harrad, Stuart and Collins, Chris D. (2016). Does the source migration pathway of HBCDs to household dust influence their bio-accessibility?. Science of the Total Environment, 569, 244-251. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.04.178

Does the source migration pathway of HBCDs to household dust influence their bio-accessibility?

2016

Journal Article

A preliminary investigation into the use of Red Pine (Pinus Resinosa) tree cores as historic passive samplers of POPs in outdoor air

Rauert, Cassandra and Harner, Tom (2016). A preliminary investigation into the use of Red Pine (Pinus Resinosa) tree cores as historic passive samplers of POPs in outdoor air. Atmospheric Environment, 140, 514-518. doi: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2016.06.024

A preliminary investigation into the use of Red Pine (Pinus Resinosa) tree cores as historic passive samplers of POPs in outdoor air

2016

Journal Article

Characterizing the sorption of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) to cotton and polyester fabrics under controlled conditions

Saini, Amandeep, Rauert, Cassandra, Simpson, Myrna J., Harrad, Stuart and Diamond, Miriam L. (2016). Characterizing the sorption of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) to cotton and polyester fabrics under controlled conditions. Science of the Total Environment, 563, 99-107. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.04.099

Characterizing the sorption of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) to cotton and polyester fabrics under controlled conditions

2016

Journal Article

Direct contact between dust and HBCD-treated fabrics is an important pathway of source-to-dust transfer

Rauert, Cassandra, Kuribara, Isamu, Kataoka, Toshiyuki, Wada, Takeharu, Kajiwara, Natsuko, Suzuki, Go, Takigami, Hidetaka and Harrad, Stuart (2016). Direct contact between dust and HBCD-treated fabrics is an important pathway of source-to-dust transfer. Science of the Total Environment, 545, 77-83. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.12.054

Direct contact between dust and HBCD-treated fabrics is an important pathway of source-to-dust transfer

2016

Journal Article

Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in indoor dust and food packaging materials in Egypt: Trends in developed and developing countries

Shoeib, Tamer, Hassan, Yasmeen, Rauert, Cassandra and Harner, Tom (2016). Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in indoor dust and food packaging materials in Egypt: Trends in developed and developing countries. Chemosphere, 144, 1573-1581. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2015.08.066

Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in indoor dust and food packaging materials in Egypt: Trends in developed and developing countries

2015

Journal Article

Mass transfer of PBDEs from plastic TV casing to indoor dust via three migration pathways - a test chamber investigation

Rauert, C. and Harrad, S. (2015). Mass transfer of PBDEs from plastic TV casing to indoor dust via three migration pathways - a test chamber investigation. Science of the Total Environment, 536, 568-574. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.07.050

Mass transfer of PBDEs from plastic TV casing to indoor dust via three migration pathways - a test chamber investigation

2015

Journal Article

Test chamber investigation of the volatilization from source materials of brominated flame retardants and their subsequent deposition to indoor dust

Rauert, C., Harrad, S., Stranger, M. and Lazarov, B. (2015). Test chamber investigation of the volatilization from source materials of brominated flame retardants and their subsequent deposition to indoor dust. Indoor Air, 25 (4), 393-404. doi: 10.1111/ina.12151

Test chamber investigation of the volatilization from source materials of brominated flame retardants and their subsequent deposition to indoor dust

Current funding

  • 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

  • 2024
    All 'roads' flow to the sea, capturing road-based plastic pollution
    Central Queensland University
    Open grant
  • 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.

  • High-Resolution Mass Spectrometric Characterisation of Ubiquitous Environmental Contaminants of Emerging Concern

    A clear challenge for environmental regulatory agencies globally is the identification of emerging chemical hazards. Evolving capabilities in high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS – AB Sciex) now allow for the retrospective suspect screening of archived data. A proposed approach for the effective identification of emerging chemical risks is the sharing of HRMS data to investigate the environmental occurrence of newly identified contaminants without the need to collect and analyse new samples. This ICHDR project will develop the data processing workflows (algorithm and platform selection) that will allow for the effective identification of new chemical hazards within the context of understanding risk associated with exposure. The outcome of this project will be validated advanced techniques and data processing workflows to identify ubiquitous chemical hazards that are historic, new or emerging.

  • High-Resolution Mass Spectrometric Characterisation of Ubiquitous Environmental Contaminants of Emerging Concern

    A clear challenge for environmental regulatory agencies globally is the identification of emerging chemical hazards. Evolving capabilities in high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS – AB Sciex) now allow for the retrospective suspect screening of archived data. A proposed approach for the effective identification of emerging chemical risks is the sharing of HRMS data to investigate the environmental occurrence of newly identified contaminants without the need to collect and analyse new samples. This ICHDR project will develop the data processing workflows (algorithm and platform selection) that will allow for the effective identification of new chemical hazards within the context of understanding risk associated with exposure. The outcome of this project will be validated advanced techniques and data processing workflows to identify ubiquitous chemical hazards that are historic, new or emerging.

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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