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About Me

Hi, I’m Drew! I am a postdoctoral researcher specializing in analytical chemistry, with a focus on using high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) to study emerging contaminants. My expertise lies in suspect and non-targeted screening of small molecules in complex environmental samples such as water, sediment, and soil.

Originally from Australia, I am currently working and living in Europe, where I am passionate about advancing our understanding of environmental pollution and its impact on ecosystems and human health. Through my research, I aim to develop innovative analytical workflows that push the boundaries of what is possible in chemical analysis, bridging the gap between environmental science and cutting-edge technology.

Projects

Prediction of bioaccumulation factor from high-resolution mass spectrometry data using machine learning

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship (UKRI Guarantee) - University of York

This project combines cutting-edge high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) technology with advanced machine learning algorithms to create a model for the prediction of bioaccumulation factors (BCF) for chemicals detected in environmental matrices. Tens of thousands of known and unknown chemicals can be measured in a single surface water sample, making it difficult to evaluate the chemical risk efficiently with existing quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) -based prioritisation methodologies. Recent evidence has shown that structural information is encoded in the mass spectrum of a chemical, allowing us to leapfrog current processes by eliminating the requirement for structural identification. The model will be able to accurately predict the bioaccumulation factor from environmental samples measured with HRMS instruments, allowing researchers to more efficiently prioritise chemicals selected for in-vivo experiments and reducing animal testing.

Assessing and Managing the Impacts of Mixtures of Chemicals on UK Freshwater Biodiversity in a Changing World

Consultant - University of York

Freshwater biodiversity is declining rapidly, with one in ten freshwater species in England threatened with extinction. Chemical pollution from wastewater, agriculture, urban areas, and mining significantly impacts water quality. Current assessments fail to reflect real impacts due to limited chemical focus, single-compound approaches, and lack of consideration for combined effects and ecological variability. To halt biodiversity loss in UK rivers, more effective methods for assessing and managing chemical impacts are urgently needed. NERC

Publications

Szabo, D.; Fischer, S.; Mathew, A. P.; Kruve, A. Prioritization, Identification, and Quantification of Emerging Contaminants in Recycled Textiles Using Non-Targeted and Suspect Screening Workflows by LC-ESI-HRMS. Anal. Chem. 2024. DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.4c02041.

Szabo, D.; Falconer, T. M.; Fisher, C. M.; Heise, T.; Phillips, A. L.; Vas, G.; Williams, A. J.; Kruve, A. Online and Offline Prioritization of Chemicals of Interest in Suspect Screening and Non-targeted Screening with High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry. Anal. Chem. 2024. DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c05705.

Hladik, M. L.; Markus, A.; Helsel, D.; Nowell, L. H.; Polesello, S.; Rüdel, H.; Szabo, D.; Wilson, I. Evaluating the reliability of environmental concentration data to characterize exposure in environmental risk assessments. Integr. Environ. Assess. Manag. 2024. DOI: 10.1002/ieam.4893.

Partington, J. M.; Marchiandi, J.; Szabo, D.; Gooley, A.; Kouremenos, K.; Smith, F.; Clarke, B. O. Validating blood microsampling for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances quantification in whole blood. J. Chromatogr. A 2024, 1713, 464522. DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2023.464522.

Foord, C. S.; Szabo, D.; Robb, K.; Clarke, B. O.; Nugegoda, D. Hepatic concentrations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in dolphins from south-east Australia: Highest reported globally. Sci. Total Environ. 2024, 908, 168438. DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168438.

Szabo, D.; Marchiandi, J.; Samandra, S.; Johnston, J. M.; Mulder, R. A.; Green, M. P.; Clarke, B. O. High-resolution temporal wastewater treatment plant investigation to understand influent mass flux of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). J. Hazard. Mater. 2023, 447, 130854. DOI: 10.1016/j.hazmat.2023.130854.

Partington, J. M.; Rana, S.; Szabo, D.; Anumol, T.; Clarke, B. O. Comparison of high-resolution mass spectrometry acquisition methods for the simultaneous quantification and identification of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Anal. Bioanal. Chem. 2023, 416, 895-912. DOI: 10.1007/s00216-023-05075-x.

Szabo, D.; Nuske, M. R.; Lavers, J. L.; Shimeta, J.; Green, M. P.; Mulder, R. A.; Clarke, B. O. A baseline study of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in waterfowl from a remote Australian environment. Sci. Total Environ. 2022, 812, 152528. DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152528.

Szabo, D.; Moodie, D.; Green, M. P.; Mulder, R. A.; Clarke, B. O. Field-Based Distribution and Bioaccumulation Factors for Cyclic and Aliphatic Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) in an Urban Sedentary Waterbird Population. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2022, 56 (12), 8231-8244. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.2c01965.

Szabo, D.; Marchiandi, J.; Green, M. P.; Mulder, R. A.; Clarke, B. O. Evaluation and validation of methodologies for the extraction of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in serum of birds and mammals. Anal. Bioanal. Chem. 2022, 414 (9), 3017-3032. DOI: 10.1007/s00216-022-03962-3.

Rana, S.; Marchiandi, J.; Partington, J. M.; Szabo, D.; Heffernan, A. L.; Symons, R. K.; Xie, S.; Clarke, B. O. Identification of novel polyfluoroalkyl substances in surface water runoff from a chemical stockpile fire. Environ. Pollut. 2022, 313, 120055. DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120055.

Szabo, D.; Lavers, J. L.; Shimeta, J.; Green, M. P.; Mulder, R. A.; Clarke, B. O. Correlations between per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and body morphometrics in fledgling shearwaters impacted by plastic consumption from a remote Pacific Island. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2021, 40 (3), 799-810. DOI: 10.1002/etc.4924.

Marchiandi, J.; Szabo, D.; Dagnino, S.; Green, M. P.; Clarke, B. O. Occurrence and fate of legacy and novel per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in freshwater after an industrial fire of unknown chemical stockpiles. Environ. Pollut. 2021, 278, 116839. DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116839.

Hepburn, E.; Madden, C.; Szabo, D.; Coggan, T. L.; Clarke, B.; Currell, M. Contamination of groundwater with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from legacy landfills in an urban re-development precinct. Environ. Pollut. 2019, 248, 101-113. DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.02.018.

Coggan, T. L.; Moodie, D.; Kolobaric, A.; Szabo, D.; Shimeta, J.; Crosbie, N. D.; Lee, E.; Fernandes, M.; Clarke, B. O. An investigation into per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in nineteen Australian wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Heliyon 2019, 5 (8), e02316. DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e02316.

Szabo, D.; Coggan, T. L.; Robson, T. C.; Currell, M.; Clarke, B. O. Investigating recycled water use as a diffuse source of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) to groundwater in Melbourne, Australia. Sci. Total Environ. 2018, 644, 1409-1417. DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.07.048

Conferences

Previous Projects

Tandem development of waste textile recycling process and chemical screening for a non-toxic Re:Start

Formas Postdoctoral Researcher - Stockholm University

Re:start aims to develop a tandem method combining sustainable processes and online chemical analysis to enhance the safety and sustainability of textile waste recycling. The project focuses on reclaiming PET, acrylics, nanocellulose, and hybrids for conversion into monomers, chemicals, or new materials while ensuring toxic-free, high-quality outputs. Fast, non-invasive analysis methods will detect harmful chemicals during recycling, promoting resource-efficient, green technologies that reduce reliance on virgin resources and minimize waste. This approach aims to position Sweden as a leader in sustainable textile recycling and foster innovative, chemical-smart industries. KruveLab

Transport, bioaccumulation, and risk of per- and polyfluroalkyl substances (PFASs) in birds from south-east Australia

PhD Candidate - University of Melbourne

This thesis investigates the occurrence, transport, and bioaccumulation of legacy and emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in native avian species in Southeast Australia. Focusing on exposure pathways from sources like wastewater treatment plants, it reveals significant variations in PFAS concentrations, including novel compounds, in impacted environments. Optimized analytical methods highlight the distribution and bioaccumulation risks, particularly in urban waterbirds, providing crucial insights for assessing the environmental and health impacts of PFAS exposure. University of Melbourne

Contact

drew.szabo@york.ac.uk