Wednesday, 6 October 4:00pm – 5:00pm

This seminar will be delivered via Zoom – Please email chemistry.researchsupport@sydney.edu.au for zoom link and password.

Speaker: Professor Mark Lorch, University of Hull

Host: Associate Professor Alice Motion

Title: Enabling citizen scientists to monitor the chemical health of  their local waterways

Abstract: Using a combination of paper microfluidic devices and handheld mobile technology we have enabled citizen scientists to carry out a sustained water monitoring campaign. We have developed a paper-based analysis device and a 3 minute sampling workflow that requires no more than a container, a test device and a smartphone app. The contaminant measured in these pilots are phosphates, detectable down to 3 mg L^-1. Together these allow volunteers to successfully carry out cost-effective, high frequency, phosphate monitoring over an extended geographies and periods.

Biography: Mark Lorch is a chemist, writer, head of department and science communicator. He started his research career working on protein folding and has since delved into many other aspects of biological chemistry ranging from how organisms’ signalling molecules will be affected by ocean acidification to monitoring micro-pollutants in waterways.

Alongside his research, Mark is passionate about communicating science to as wide an audience as possible. He founded and directs the Hull Science Festival and leads on widening participation projects in the region. He still finds time to contribute to various media outlets (his favourite is the Conversation), his prose regularly appears in the mainstream press, and he pops up on broadcast media. He has also provided science consultancy services to film and game production companies. His latest project is crowdfunded science anthology (blatant plug) at https://unbound.com/books/great-explanations/.