Role at ANSTO
Brett Rowling is an analytical chemist from Australia’s Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) which collaborates with universities and industries globally. He has over a decade of experience developing and applying novel analytical techniques to a variety of samples including ground and surface waters, soils and biota. The results of these works have resulted in peer-reviewed presentations and publications furthering our understanding of water chemistry from both natural and man-made sources.
Brett is also an active descendent of the Wannungine/Guringai Nation of the central coast of NSW, whose people are part of Australia’s first scientists, mathematicians and engineers. His primary activities are to identify and promote these cultural parallels which could enhance current engineering and scientific practices towards more sustainable options in the Australian context. More formally this is recognised through the Indigenous Engineers Group of Engineers Australia and also the Indigenous Engineering Summer Schools co-ordinated by Engineering Aid Australia.
Expertise
- Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry including the applications of the specialised ‘front ends’ SeaFAST pre-concentration unit – for the analysis of trace level Rare Earth Elements - and Laser Ablation of solid samples
- Ion Chromatography of anions
- The development of solid-phase extraction methods followed by GCMS for the analyses of volatile organic compounds from aqueous solutions
- Groundwater sampling and field hydrology measurements
Qualifications & Achievements
- Aurora International Scholarship to Oxford and Cambridge Universities, 2014
- BSc Honours Geoscience specialising in Geomorphology and OSL Dating 2010
- BSc (Distinction) majoring in Synthetic Organic Chemistry and Geology 2009
- Nixon and South Coast Labour Council Equity and Merit Scholarship 2009
- Position on the Dean's Merit list 2007, 2008 and 2009
- Year in Industry Scholarship with ANSTO 2007-8
- Member of the Golden Key International Society 2006
- University of Wollongong Entrance Scholarship 2005
- Pierre de Coubertin Award from the Australian Olympic Committee 2004
Committees and Affiliations
Committee member of the Guringai Tribal Link Aboriginal Corporation (for the traditional owners of the Central Coast of NSW). Here I have provided talks linking Indigenous and European ideologies and sharing them at official and community based events. These have included the International Coasts and Ports Conference of 2013, Leighton House 2013 and the Indigenous Engineering Summer School/Engineering Aid at the host Universities of Sydney University and University of New South Wales since 2013.