Overview
Background
Dr. Sara Ghorbani Gorji is a research fellow at the Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland. Her work specializes in environmental health and chemical exposure science, focusing on understanding the occurrence, behavior, and impact of persistent contaminants, particularly per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), in various environmental media and consumer products. Her research aims to improve risk assessment frameworks and develop strategies for minimizing human and environmental exposure to these emerging contaminants.
Key areas of expertise include:
- PFAS contamination: Investigating the presence and fate of PFAS in water, soil, air, and consumer products, with particular focus on ultrashort-chain PFAS and fluorinated compounds in compostable packaging.
- Chemical exposure science: Assessing exposure pathways to contaminants and contributing to frameworks for managing chemical risks in environmental and human health.
- Advanced analytical methods: Utilizing techniques such as High Resolution Mass Sectrometry and Non target analysis and suspect screening for precise detection and characterization of complex contaminants.
Dr. Ghorbani Gorji's interdisciplinary collaborations with government, industry, and research institutions support policy development and sustainable practices aimed at reducing chemical hazards in everyday environments.
Availability
- Dr Sara Ghorbani Gorji is:
- Available for supervision
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Suspect and non-target screening using LC-HRMS/MS
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Developing passive sampling methods for Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) such as Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs)
Research impacts
Dr. Sara Ghorbani Gorji's research directly contributes to safer environmental practices, public health protection, and informed policy decisions by advancing our understanding of persistent chemicals in the environment, particularly PFAS. Her work addresses significant concerns regarding the long-term effects of these contaminants on ecosystems and human health, helping to create safer consumer products and sustainable waste management practices.
Through collaborations with government agencies, industry, and research institutions, Dr. Ghorbani Gorji’s research has led to actionable outcomes:
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Policy influence: Findings from her studies on PFAS in compostable packaging and environmental water sources provide essential data for regulatory bodies, contributing to national and international guidelines aimed at reducing human exposure to hazardous chemicals.
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Industry partnerships: Her research informs industry practices, guiding the development of safer packaging alternatives and reducing the reliance on fluorinated compounds in consumer goods.
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Public health impact: By identifying and assessing chemical exposures, her work supports evidence-based health interventions to limit public exposure to toxic substances, especially within food and personal care products.
Dr. Ghorbani Gorji’s research enhances environmental sustainability and public health standards, ensuring that science translates into tangible, societal benefits beyond the academic sphere.
Works
Search Professor Sara Ghorbani Gorji’s works on UQ eSpace
2024
Journal Article
Occurrence of Ultrashort-Chain PFASs in Australian Environmental Water Samples
Ghorbani Gorji, Sara, Mackie, Rachel, Prasad, Pritesh, Knight, Emma R., Qu, Xuan, Vardy, Suzanne, Bowles, Karl, Higgins, Christopher P., Thomas, Kevin V. and Kaserzon, Sarit L. (2024). Occurrence of Ultrashort-Chain PFASs in Australian Environmental Water Samples. Environmental Science & Technology Letters, 11 (12), 1362-1369. doi: 10.1021/acs.estlett.4c00750
2024
Journal Article
Application of a microporous polyethylene tube passive sampler for monitoring per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in wastewater influent and effluent
Mackie, Rachel, Hawker, Darryl W., Ghorbani Gorji, Sara, Booij, Kees, Qu, Xuan, Bowles, Karl, Shea, Stefanie, Higgins, Christopher P. and Kaserzon, Sarit (2024). Application of a microporous polyethylene tube passive sampler for monitoring per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in wastewater influent and effluent. ACS - ES & T Water, 4 (5), 2281-2291. doi: 10.1021/acsestwater.4c00125
2024
Journal Article
New PFASs identified in AFFF impacted groundwater by passive sampling and nontarget analysis
Ghorbani Gorji, Sara, Gómez Ramos, María José, Dewapriya, Pradeep, Schulze, Bastian, Mackie, Rachel, Nguyen, Thi Minh Hong, Higgins, Christopher P., Bowles, Karl, Mueller, Jochen F., Thomas, Kevin V. and Kaserzon, Sarit L. (2024). New PFASs identified in AFFF impacted groundwater by passive sampling and nontarget analysis. Environmental Science and Technology, 58 (3), 1690-1699. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.3c06591
2024
Journal Article
Unbiased metabolomics of volatile secondary metabolites in essential oils originated from Myrtaceae species
Manickavasagam, Ganapaty, San, Priscilla Wong Chie, Gorji, Sara Ghorbani, Sungthong, Bunleu, Keong, Yong Yoke, Fitzgerald, Melissa, Dewi, Firli Rahmah Primula and Lim, Vuanghao (2024). Unbiased metabolomics of volatile secondary metabolites in essential oils originated from Myrtaceae species. Chemistry Africa, 7 (6), 3067-3075. doi: 10.1007/s42250-024-01000-6
2023
Journal Article
Estimation of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances mass loads in the Danube River using passive sampling
Beggs, Carly, Mackie, Rachel, Vrana, Branislav, Prokeš, Roman, Gorji, Sara Ghorbani, Schulze, Bastian, Thomas, Kevin V., Mueller, Jochen F. and Kaserzon, Sarit L. (2023). Estimation of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances mass loads in the Danube River using passive sampling. The Science of the Total Environment, 892 164458, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164458
2023
Other Outputs
Pesticide analysis for the inshore Great Barrier Reef Marine Monitoring Program (MMP)
Kaserzon, Sarit, Shiels, Ryan, Elisei, Gabriele, Li, Yan, Carswell, Christina, Xia, Summer, Prasad, Pritesh, Gallen, Michael, Reeks, Tim, Thompson, Kristie, Taucare, Grechel, Marano, Kirsty, Sara Ghorbani Gorji, Mueller, Jochen, Prazeres, Martina and Walker, Kaye (2023). Pesticide analysis for the inshore Great Barrier Reef Marine Monitoring Program (MMP). Brisbane, QLD Australia:
2023
Journal Article
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in consumer products: current knowledge and research gaps
Dewapriya, Pradeep, Chadwick, Lachlan, Gorji, Sara Ghorbani, Schulze, Bastian, Valsecchi, Sara, Samanipour, Saer, Thomas, Kevin V. and Kaserzon, Sarit L. (2023). Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in consumer products: current knowledge and research gaps. Journal of Hazardous Materials Letters, 4 100086, 1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.hazl.2023.100086
2023
Journal Article
Sorption affinity and mechanisms of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) with commercial sorbents: Implications for passive sampling
Ghorbani Gorji, Sara, Hawker, Darryl W., Mackie, Rachel, Higgins, Christopher P., Bowles, Karl, Li, Yan and Kaserzon, Sarit (2023). Sorption affinity and mechanisms of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) with commercial sorbents: Implications for passive sampling. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 457 131688, 131688. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131688
2023
Journal Article
Novel per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances discovered in cattle exposed to AFFF-impacted groundwater
Dewapriya, Pradeep, Nilsson, Sandra, Ghorbani Gorji, Sara, O’Brien, Jake W., Bräunig, Jennifer, Gómez Ramos, María José, Donaldson, Eric, Samanipour, Saer, Martin, Jonathan W., Mueller, Jochen F., Kaserzon, Sarit L. and Thomas, Kevin V. (2023). Novel per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances discovered in cattle exposed to AFFF-impacted groundwater. Environmental Science and Technology, 57 (36), 13635-13645. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.3c03852
2023
Journal Article
Calibration of a microporous polyethylene tube passive sampler for polar organic compounds in wastewater effluent
Clokey, Joseph E., Hawker, Darryl W., Verhagen, Rory, Ghorbani Gorji, Sara, Knight, Emma R., Thomas, Kevin V. and Kaserzon, Sarit L. (2023). Calibration of a microporous polyethylene tube passive sampler for polar organic compounds in wastewater effluent. Science of The Total Environment, 874 162497, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162497
2023
Journal Article
Effect of post-milling process on the oxidation of the rice bran
Najamuddin, Ulfah, Gorji, Sara Ghorbani and Fitzgerald, Melissa (2023). Effect of post-milling process on the oxidation of the rice bran. Journal of Cereal Science, 111 103678, 103678. doi: 10.1016/j.jcs.2023.103678
2023
Journal Article
Determination of organic contaminants in L´Albufera National Park using microporous polyethylene tube passive samplers: an environmental risk assessment
Soriano, Yolanda, Alvarez-Ruiz, Rodrigo, Clokey, Joseph, Gorji, Sara, Kaserzon, Sarit and Picó, Yolanda (2023). Determination of organic contaminants in L´Albufera National Park using microporous polyethylene tube passive samplers: an environmental risk assessment. SSRN Electronic Journal, 903 166594, 166594. doi: 10.2139/ssrn.4348397
2022
Conference Publication
Blood metabolic profile of pigs fed different dietary zinc levels after weaning
Soumeh, Elham A., Curtasu, Mihai, Nielsen, Tina S., Gorji, Sara G. and Hedemann, Mette S. (2022). Blood metabolic profile of pigs fed different dietary zinc levels after weaning. 15th International Symposium on Digestive Physiology of Pigs (DPP2022), Rotterdam, Netherlands, 17–20 May 2022. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.anscip.2022.04.028
2022
Book Chapter
Monitoring techniques–grab and passive sampling
Hawker, Darryl W., Clokey, Joseph, Gorji, Sara G., Verhagen, Rory and Kaserzon, Sarit L. (2022). Monitoring techniques–grab and passive sampling. Emerging freshwater pollutants: analysis, fate and regulations. (pp. 25-48) edited by Tatenda Dalu and Nikita T. Tavengwa. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/b978-0-12-822850-0.00014-4
2021
Journal Article
Genotypic variability in the composition of soluble protein from rice bran – opportunities for nutrition
Najamuddin, U., Gorji, S. and Fitzgerald, M. (2021). Genotypic variability in the composition of soluble protein from rice bran – opportunities for nutrition. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, 103 104077, 104077. doi: 10.1016/j.jfca.2021.104077
2021
Conference Publication
A global emerging contaminant early warning exercise through the use of retrospective suspect screening with high-resolution mass spectrometry
Dewapriya, Pradeep, Jeon, Youngjoon, Feraud, Mathieu, O'Brien, Jake, Gorji, Sara Ghorbani, Samanipour, Saer, Kaserzon, Sarit and Thomas, Kevin (2021). A global emerging contaminant early warning exercise through the use of retrospective suspect screening with high-resolution mass spectrometry. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Australasia Conference, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 3 August-2 September 2021.
2021
Other Outputs
Passive sampling for Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at Brisbane Airport
Tscharke, Ben, Shiels, Ryan, Mackie, Rachel, Gorji, Sara, Prasad, Pritesh, Carswell, Christina, Teimouri, Homa, Cheneval, Olivier and Kaserzon, Sarit (2021). Passive sampling for Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at Brisbane Airport. Brisbane, Australia: Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences.
2020
Journal Article
Untargeted and targeted metabolomic profiling of Australian indigenous fruits
Lim, Vuanghao, Ghorbani Gorji, Sara, Daygon, Venea Dara and Fitzgerald, Melissa (2020). Untargeted and targeted metabolomic profiling of Australian indigenous fruits. Metabolites, 10 (3) 114, 114. doi: 10.3390/metabo10030114
2019
Journal Article
Comprehensive profiling of lipid oxidation volatile compounds during storage of mayonnaise
Ghorbani Gorji, Sara, Calingacion, Mariafe, Smyth, Heather E. and Fitzgerald, Melissa (2019). Comprehensive profiling of lipid oxidation volatile compounds during storage of mayonnaise. Journal of Food Science and Technology, 56 (9), 4076-4090. doi: 10.1007/s13197-019-03876-6
2019
Journal Article
Effect of natural antioxidants on lipid oxidation in mayonnaise compared with BHA, the industry standard
Ghorbani Gorji, Sara, Calingacion, Mariafe, Smyth, Heather E. and Fitzgerald, Melissa (2019). Effect of natural antioxidants on lipid oxidation in mayonnaise compared with BHA, the industry standard. Metabolomics, 15 (8) 106, 106. doi: 10.1007/s11306-019-1568-4
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Sara Ghorbani Gorji is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Developing strategies to tackle pollution from per- and poly-fluorinated chemicals (PFAS) in the environment
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kevin Thomas, Associate Professor Sarit Kaserzon
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Doctor Philosophy
Developing strategies to tackle pollution from per- and poly-fluorinated chemicals (PFAS) in the environment
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kevin Thomas, Associate Professor Sarit Kaserzon
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Doctor Philosophy
Developing strategies to tackle pollution from per- and poly-fluorinated chemicals (PFAS) in the environment
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kevin Thomas, Associate Professor Sarit Kaserzon
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Doctor Philosophy
Evaluation and development of rice bran based-protein products
Associate Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Reducing glyphosate exposure from high use practices
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Fisher Wang, Professor Kevin Thomas, Professor Bhagirath Chauhan, Associate Professor Sarit Kaserzon
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Doctor Philosophy
Evaluation and development of rice bran based-protein products
Associate Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Emerging contaminants in Food Organics and Garden Organic (FOGO) materials
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kevin Thomas, Associate Professor Sarit Kaserzon
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Doctor Philosophy
Development of passive sampling methodologies for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jochen Mueller, Professor Kevin Thomas, Associate Professor Sarit Kaserzon
Completed supervision
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2025
Doctor Philosophy
Evaluation and development of rice bran based-protein products
Associate Advisor
Media
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