Faculty
Dr. Chris Gill, P. Chem.
Dr. Chris Gill is Professor of Chemistry, an active adjunct faculty at three other institutions, and has specific expertise in analytical instrumentation development, laser spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (MS). His research interests include the development of ultra-trace, direct MS methods, including Membrane Introduction Mass Spectrometry (MIMS) and paper spray mass spectrometry (PS-MS), for in situ and rapid measurements of trace analytes in complex environmental and bioanalytical samples.
Areas of Expertise
Dr. Chris Gill is Professor of Chemistry, an active adjunct faculty at three other
institutions, and has specific expertise in analytical instrumentation development, laser
spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (MS). His research interests include the development of
ultra-trace, direct MS methods, including Membrane Introduction Mass Spectrometry (MIMS),
for the in situ measurement of trace analytes in air, water and solids at low parts per trillion
levels.
Selected Presentations
Duncan, K.D., Vandergrift, G., Volmer, D., Cappiello, A., Krogh, E., Gill, C.,(Invited), Condensed Phase Membrane Introduction Mass Spectrometry (CP-MIMS): Direct, Online, Measurements of Non-Volatile Analytes in Complex Aqueous Samples,21st International Mass Spectrometry Conference, Toronto, ON, August 2016.
C. G. Gill, Environmental Mass Spectrometry, Techniques and Applications, (invited speaker), Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, U. of Washington, Seattle, WA, February, 2016.
Duncan, K.D., Vandergrift, G., Volmer, D.A., Cappiello, A., Krogh, E.T., Gill*, C.G., The direct, on-line, in-situ/in-vivo quantitation of low volatility aqueous analytes in complex samples: condensed phase membrane introduction mass spectrometry (CP-MIMS), PacifiChem Conference, Honolulu, HI, December, 2015.
Termopoli, V, Famiglini,G., Vandergrift, G., Magrini, L., Palma, P., Krogh, E. T., Cappiello, A. and Gill, C. G. (Invited Speaker), Direct On-Line Measurement of PAHs in Complex Aqueous Samples: Condensed Phase Membrane Introduction Mass Spectrometry - Direct Electron Ionization (CP-MIMS-DEI), 63rd ASMS Conference, St. Louis, MO, USA, June 2015.
C. G. Gill, Membrane Introduction MS/MS: Recent Advances and Applications, (Invited Presentation), 26th Lake Louise Workshop on Tandem Mass Spectrometry, Lake Louise, AB, December, 2014.
C. G. Gill, Advances and Environmental Applications of Membrane Introduction Mass Spectrometry, Invited Presentation, 29th ASMS Asilomar Conference, Pacific Grove, USA, October, 2014.
Dr. Erik Krogh, P. Chem
My research program addresses important environmental chemistry questions using emerging mass spectrometry (MS) techniques that enable the direct and continuous measurement of molecular determinants of environmental and human health.
Areas of Expertise
My research program addresses important environmental chemistry questions using emerging mass spectrometry (MS) techniques that enable the direct and continuous measurement of molecular determinants of environmental and human health.
Postdoc
Nick Davey, PhD
Development of new tools for studying the chemistry of the atmosphere, using mobilized mass spectrometers to capture both spatial and temporal variability. Mass spectrometry is employed to quantify a suite of volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds at levels ranging from hundreds of parts per trillion to parts per billion. These extremely sensitive sensors can be used to identify point sources of pollution, map chemical concentration on regional scales, and monitor accidental chemical release into the environment.
Veronica Termopoli, PhD (Visiting Post Doc)
Veronica has been an active contributor and researcher for the AERL-Urbino collaboration regarding the coupling of direct liquid electron ionization with CP-MIMS, and recently, was a visiting Post Doc in the AERL group, funded by a Canada-Italy Innovation Award.
Students
Armin Saatchi
Armin joined the AERL team this past year, and has been making huge contributions to the development of PS-MS for harm reduction drug testing.
Greg Vandergrift, BSc
Greg's research involves the development of CP-MIMS using direct liquid EI as a strategy for direct, trace level PAH monitoring, including direct soil measurement strategies. He was also instrumental in the early development of PS-MS methodologies for direct fentanyl analysis in urine and other complex samples.
Hannah Damer, BSc
Hannah's research is contributing to the development of miniature CP-MIMS interfaces using 3D priniting strategies and novel ionization strategy development.
Larissa Richards, BSc
Development of chemometric techniques for chemical fingerprinting of contaminated air samples for source identification and apportionment.
Morten Martinsen, BSc
Morten has been heavily involved with the development of mobile membrane introduction mass spectrometry for measurements of volatile organic compounds in water associated with heavy oil extraction. He is currently working as an environmental consultant in Norway, and will defend his thesis in Spring 2019.
Pascal Schorr, MSc
Pascal's research involves investigating vitamin D metabolism, and the development of novel MS analytical strategies to probe this important molecule and its metabolites in silico and in situ.
Scott Borden, BSc
Development of novel ionization strategies for the analysis of small molecules in environmental and biological samples. Scott's current research involves direct fatty acid measurement strategies by using CP-MIMS with modified donor phases and the development of direct opioid measurement methods by PS-MS.
Alumni
Daisy Feehan
Daisy's research involved the rapid screening of pharmaceutical compounds in complex samples, as well as fundamental studies of physicochemical properties of Naphthenic acids. She is currently in the law program at the University of Alberta.
Dana Short, BSc
Dana is currently a graduate student at Concordia University, completing a Graduate Diploma in Computer Science.
Dane Letourneau, MSc
Dane is currently a Fromagier for a local craft cheese producer, and is actively exploring his other passion of craft beer brewing.
Derek van Pel, PhD
Derek completed a PhD at the University of Toronto and is currently a medical school student at the University of British Columbia
Donovan Lynch
Donovan is currently the Regional Accommodations Project Manager, Pacific Biological Station, Fisheries and Oceans Canada in Nanaimo
Gordon Buckingham, MSc
Hannah McSorley, BSc
Development and Application of an Ultra-Trace, Field Portable Nutrient Measurement System Based Upon Liquid Waveguide Technology
Kyle Duncan, PhD
Development of rapid screening techniques for naphthenic acids and microcystins using direct sampling membrane introduction mass spectrometry. Kyle is now a Post Doctoral Fellow at Uppsala University in Sweden.
Lindsay Rear, MSc
Mai Yamamoto, BSc
PhD Student in Chemistry and Chemical Biology at McMaster University
Martin Angelstad, MSc
Matheus Baltes, MSc
Megan Willis, BSc
PhD Candidate
Abbatt Group
Department of Chemistry
University of Toronto
Michael Lynch, PhD
Michael completed his PhD at the University of Washington. He is currently employed as a Senior Scientist at Redlen Technologies, Saanichton, BC.
Nathan Hogman, BSc
Owen Stechishin, PhD, MD
After leaving VIU Dr. Stechishin completed his PhD at the University of Calgary and his MD at the University of Alberta. Owen is currently a Research Fellow at the University of Calgary.
Sandy Thompson, MSc
Sarah Jones
Skye Creba, MD
Dr. Creba is currently an Emergency Room physician at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.