Entangled Kin: Contaminant Conversations

Join us to hear from leading voices on emerging environmental contaminants: plastics, PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), and wastewater. Featuring Dr. Elvis Okoffo, Research Fellow at the Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), UQ; Associate Professor Leisa-Maree Toms, School of Public Health and Social Work, QUT; and artist Norton Fredericks.

Also register for Entangled Kin: Cyanotype Workshop with Norton Fredericks which will follow these talks.

This program is in conjunction with These Entanglements: Ecology After Nature.

Dr. Elvis Okoffo is a Research Fellow at the Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, Australia. His research focuses on the development of innovative analytical methods to characterise and monitor both environmental and human exposures to plastic pollution. He has pioneered novel sampling strategies and advanced analytical techniques for the rapid detection and quantification of various plastic types including microplastics, nanoplastics, and biodegradable plastics across a wide range of environmental matrices such as drinking water, wastewater, biosolids, seafood, marine water and sediments, compost, food, and road dust. Dr. Okoffo also investigates the release of plastic particles from everyday products like food containers, single-use cups, and kettles. Leveraging state-of-the-art technologies including pressurised liquid extraction, ultrafiltration, and pyrolysis gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry his work delivers critical insights into the sources, distribution, and potential impacts of plastic pollution. Ultimately, his research contributes to evidence-based strategies for reducing the environmental and human health risks associated with plastic contamination.

Associate Professor Leisa-Maree Toms is a researcher and lecturer in the School of Public Health and Social Work at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia. Leisa-Maree has a PhD in Environmental Toxicology from the Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (formerly the National Research Centre for Environmental Toxicology), The University of Queensland

Leisa specialises in the study of sources and exposure pathways of environmental pollutants, such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in human and environmental matrices.  She is especially interested in the temporal trends of human body burdens of flame retardants and per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) since regulation to decrease exposure.  Her work includes assessing occupational exposure to chemical contaminants in at-risk groups e.g. firefighters, and environmental exposure specifically to mothers and children. She is part of a team of researchers who have been carrying out human biomonitoring of POPs in Australia since 2002.

Norton Fredericks (they/ he) born 1990 in Tulmur, Ipswich is a queer visual artist and workshop facilitator. Norton has mixed European and Aboriginal Australian (Murri) heritage and currently lives on Kombumerri Country, Gold Coast. Their work is at the intersection of science and art, exploring the dialogue between environmental sustainability, queer ecologies and First Nations knowledges. Investigating these themes through research and practice-based artwork Norton explores historical and ancient techniques in a contemporary way that is often site specific, responding to place and Country. As Norton examines how elements interact with materials, they use the mechanics of natural fibres, organic chemistry, microscopy, and metals to imbue their work with geographical memory. There is deep consideration for the sustainable materials chosen, focusing on the recyclable or compostable. Due to their relational approach, their work aims to overcome plant blindness and inspire deeper environmental care.