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
2018
Conference Publication
Application of genomics and sensory for identifying natural antioxidants to improve shelf life of mayonnaises
Ghorbani, Sara and Smyth, Heather (2018). Application of genomics and sensory for identifying natural antioxidants to improve shelf life of mayonnaises. 12th Australian and New Zealand Sensory and Consumer Science Symposium, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 5-7 February 2018.
2016
Journal Article
Lipid oxidation in mayonnaise and the role of natural antioxidants: a review
Ghorbani Gorji, Sara, Smyth, Heather E., Sharma, Mary and Fitzgerald, Melissa (2016). Lipid oxidation in mayonnaise and the role of natural antioxidants: a review. Trends in Food Science and Technology, 56, 88-102. doi: 10.1016/j.tifs.2016.08.002
2015
Journal Article
Effect of rheological properties on sensory acceptance of two-model dysphagia-oriented food products
Zargaraan, Azizollaah, Saghafi, Zahra, Hasandokht Firouz, Mahtab, Fadavi, Ghasem, Ghorbani Gorji, Sara and Mohammadifar, Mohammad Amin (2015). Effect of rheological properties on sensory acceptance of two-model dysphagia-oriented food products. Journal of Texture Studies, 46 (3), 219-226. doi: 10.1111/jtxs.12131
2015
Journal Article
Effect of pH on turbidity, size, viscosity and the shape of sodium caseinate aggregates with light scattering and rheometry
Ghorbani Gorji, Sara, Gorji, Elham Ghorbani and Mohammadifar, Mohammad Amin (2015). Effect of pH on turbidity, size, viscosity and the shape of sodium caseinate aggregates with light scattering and rheometry. Journal of Food Science and Technology, 52 (3), 1820-1824. doi: 10.1007/s13197-013-1144-2
2014
Journal Article
Complexation of sodium caseinate with gum tragacanth: effect of various species and rheology of coacervates
Ghorbani Gorji, Sara, Gorji, Elham Ghorbani, Mohammadifar, Mohammad Amin and Zargaraan, Azizollaah (2014). Complexation of sodium caseinate with gum tragacanth: effect of various species and rheology of coacervates. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 67, 503-511. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2014.02.037
2014
Journal Article
Characterisation of gum tragacanth (Astragalus gossypinus)/sodium caseinate complex coacervation as a function of pH in an aqueous medium
Ghorbani Gorji, Sara, Gorji, Elham Ghorbani and Mohammadifar, Mohammad Amin (2014). Characterisation of gum tragacanth (Astragalus gossypinus)/sodium caseinate complex coacervation as a function of pH in an aqueous medium. Food Hydrocolloids, 34 (1), 161-168. doi: 10.1016/j.foodhyd.2012.10.019
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Sara Ghorbani Gorji is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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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
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Doctor Philosophy
Evaluation and development of rice bran based-protein protein product
Associate Advisor
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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
Reducing glyphosate exposure from high use practices
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Fisher Wang, Professor Kevin Thomas, Professor Bhagirath Chauhan, Associate Professor Sarit Kaserzon
Media
Enquiries
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