Dr Chandnee Ramkissoon is a multidisciplinary researcher with expertise in Occupational Hygiene, Occupational and Environmental Health at the Adelaide Exposure Science and Health (AESH) Unit, in the School of Public Health. She leads high-quality evidence-based research to explore the pathways of exposure to environmental and occupational hazards, ways to control them, and their impact on human health. Much of her research involves both laboratory analytical methods and, importantly, ‘real-world’ field-based study design, to approach a research question. 

Dr Ramkissoon is among the few researchers nationally to lead a program of work designed to prevent occupational lung disease in high-risk dust-generating industries. The global re-emergence of severe lung disease in the manufacturing (engineered stone) industry has informed her research directions in the last few years. Her research exploring the exposure science and toxicological implications of dust exposure in this occupation has directly contributed to national policy changes in Australia. Dr Ramkisson's strengths lie in developing and sustaining multidisciplinary stakeholder engagement to address topical issues. 

Dr Chandnee Ramkissoon graduated with an MSci Environmental Science from the University of Nottingham, UK in 2015. By 2016, she was competitively awarded a joint Adelaide-Nottingham PhD scholarship, which made her part of the first cohort of the Adelaide-Nottingham Alliance PhD scholars. Her interdisciplinary research skills and collaborations are reflected in her current role. 

Current research opportunities for students:

Research Project 1

Title: Preventing occupational lung disease: development of education materials to improve health literacy in at-risk workers

Project Description:

Australia is currently grappling with the re-emergence of severe lung disease (silicosis) in dust-generating industries. This is likely due to the over-exposure of workers to high volumes of respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust in their workplace. Targeted silicosis prevention education and awareness are essential if Australia is to make progress toward eliminating silicosis. The aim of this project is to develop educational and awareness resources (including online materials, infographics, fact sheets, etc) to contribute to ongoing campaigns aimed to reduce worker exposure to hazardous materials in the workplace.

Research Project 2

Title: Validating the performance of air purification techniques: managing the human health consequences of smoke exposure in buildings.

Project Description:

This project runs in collaboration with researchers at the Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI). This new collaboration will generate pilot findings on the efficacy of air purification strategies to reduce occupant exposure to bushfire-related smoke compounds in indoor settings. This project has a focus on smoke taint compounds in the wine industry and brings together Exposure Scientists with demonstrated expertise in particle characterisation and public health, and Analytical Chemists and Wine Scientists specialising in identifying and analysing bushfire-related smoke compounds. The outcomes from this research will inform future study design to optimise the role of air purification techniques in building systems to reduce airborne contaminant exposure and improve indoor air quality, as well as provide the foundation for engaging industry partners and developing collaborations for grant applications.

Contact me for other opportunities