Dr Ryo Sekine is a Senior Lecturer in Chemistry at UniSC Moreton Bay, a physical chemist and an environmental spectroscopist. He has a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Monash University (2012) and has broad interests in the application of analytical and spectroscopic methods to investigate and address environmental challenges.
In particular, he has strong interests in the application of synchrotron-based infrared and X-ray techniques in the areas of nanoscience, geochemistry and climate change. He has a unique combination of experiences that span multiple spectroscopic regimes, and his goals are to utilise these strengths to develop an advanced spectroscopy program, including synchrotron-based methods, that becomes a focal point for analytical solutions to the university and the region’s environmental and industrial challenges.
Prior to commencing at UniSC, Ryo was a Research Fellow at Griffith University where he examined the geochemistry of vanadium in the marine environment using chemical and spectroscopic (XAS) methods. He also developed expertise in physical, chemical, analytical and toxicological aspects of environmental nanoscience in Australia and in the United Kingdom (Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow), and he maintains valuable networks in both areas of research.
Professional Memberships
- Member, Royal Australian Chemical Institute, 2008 – current
- Member, Royal Society of Chemistry, 2016 – current
- Member, Australian Soil Science Society Inc., 2012 – current
Awards/Fellowships
- Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Individual Fellowship, 2015-201
- Best Presentation by an Early Career Researcher, ICOBTE Zurich, 2017
- Australian Nanotechnology Network Overseas Travel Award, 2014
- >20 synchrotron-based experiments, >$1m in estimated value, 2012-2019
Professional Social Media
Dr Ryo Sekine’s current research focus is in:
- Nutrient biogeochemistry (S, P, C and N) in collaboration with the Critical Zone Observatory network (OZCZO),
- Analytical solutions to seaweed-based technologies, and more broadly in
- Trace-element geochemistry and
- Environmental nanoscience.
Ryo frequently uses synchrotron-based methods and have been awarded >30 experiments/beamtimes on merit (access valued at >$2.4m).
Potential Research Projects for Honours and HDR students
Potential Honours or PhD students should contact Ryo regarding available projects aligned to their interests.
Research Grants
| Project Name | Investigators | Funding body / $ | Years | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Applications of advanced spectroscopic methods towards unravelling the micro and nanoscale chemistry during enhanced weathering |
Dr R Sekine (Lead), Dr B Sarkar (CI, Lancaster), Prof DJ Beerling (CI, Sheffield) |
Royal Society of Chemistry, £5,000 ≈ A$9,200 |
2019-2020 |
Enhanced weathering (EW) is a carbon dioxide removal (CDR) strategy where soils of managed croplands are amended with crushed fast-reacting silicate rocks. There are several nanoscale mechanisms that are hypothesized to facilitate CDR ad stabilise carbon. This project investigates these mechanisms during EW with a combination of advanced spectroscopic methods. |
|
Nanomaterial surface interactions at the molecular level and their impact on ecotoxicity |
Dr R Sekine |
European Commission, €183,455 ≈ A$296,800 |
2015-2018 |
As a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellow, I investigated the molecular interactions occurring at the surface of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) in environmental matrices. In addition to a spectroscopic method, a multimodal imaging method was developed multiple partners in the UK. |
Research areas
- chemistry
- spectroscopy (Synchrotron-based; Vibrational; Electronic)
- environmental nanoscience
- soil chemistry
- trace element geochemistry
Dr Ryo Sekine is the Chemistry Study Area Coordinator at UniSC. Please contact Ryo directly if you are an undergraduate student interested in a research project (SRP) as part of your degree. Dr Sekine coordinates and/or teaches the following courses
Teaching areas
Dr Ryo Sekine's specialist areas of knowledge include chemical, physical, analytical and toxicological aspects of environmental nanoscience, and the application of advanced micro/spectroscopic methods including synchrotron-based techniques (X-ray, Infrared, Raman) to investigate environmental, soil and geochemical challenges.