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Biography

Dr. Sujan Fernando is a Research Professor in the Institute for a Sustainable Environment (ISE) at ½ñÈճԹϺÚÁÏ and serves as the Analytical Laboratory Director for the Center for Air and Aquatic Resources Engineering and Science (CAARES). His research focuses on the identification, characterization, and quantification of legacy and emerging contaminants in environmental matrices using state-of-the-art analytical techniques, including comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC), liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS).

Dr. Fernando also serves as the Quality Director for the Department of Defense Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (DoD-ELAP) accredited PFAS analytical laboratory at CAARES, overseeing the quality assurance and quality control requirements associated with the analysis of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in environmental samples. Dr. Fernando currently serves as Principal Investigator (PI) and Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) on numerous federally and state-funded research projects, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Great Lakes Fish Monitoring and Surveillance Program. This long-term monitoring effort evaluates organic contaminants in Great Lakes fish and provides critical information on temporal trends, ecological impacts, and potential risks to human health.

Education Background

Analytical Chemistry Ph.D. - 2016 McMaster University

Analytical Chemistry M.Sc. - 2006 McMaster University

Analytical Chemistry B.Sc. - 2004 University of Toronto

Awards

2024 Million Dollar Club, ½ñÈճԹϺÚÁÏ

2022 Phalanx Commendable Service Award, ½ñÈճԹϺÚÁÏ

2016 President’s Award for Excellence, McMaster University

Publications

Identification of novel contaminants using non-targeted techniques

• Utilization of Negative Chemical Ionization to Expand Nontargeted Screening of Halogenated Organics in Great Lakes Top Predator Fish. Abskhroun SB, Fernando S, Holsen TM, Hopke PK, Crimmins BS. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2025, 18;59(10):5261-5272.
• Suspect Screening and Nontargeted Analysis of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in a Lake Ontario Food Web. Ren J, Fernando S, Hopke PK, Holsen TM, Crimmins BS. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2022, 20;56(24):17626-17634.
• Suspect Screening and Nontargeted Analysis of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in a Lake Ontario Food Web. Ren, J., Fernando, S., Hopke, P.K., Holsen, T.M., Crimmins, B.S. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2022, 56, 17626-17634.
• Characterization of Halogenated Organic Compounds in Pelagic Sharks and Sea Turtles Using a Nontargeted Approach. Renaguli A, Fernando S, Holsen TM, Hopke PK, Adams DH, Balazs GH, Jones TT, Work TM, Lynch JM, Crimmins BS. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2021, 21;55(24):16390-16401.
• Nontargeted Discovery of Novel Contaminants in the Great Lakes Region: A Comparison of Fish Fillets and Fish Consumers. Baygi SF, Fernando S, Hopke PK, Holsen TM, Crimmins BS. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2021, 16;55(6):3765-3774.

Development of novel analytical methods for contaminant analysis

• Comprehensive Analysis of the Great Lakes Top Predator Fish for Novel Halogenated Organic Contaminants by GCxGC-HR-TOF Mass Spectrometry. Fernando, S., Renaguli, A., Milligan, M.S., Pagano, J.J., Hopke, P.K., Holsen, T.M., Crimmins, B.S. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2018, 52, 2909-2917.
• Towards the development of a standardized method for extraction and analysis of PFAS in biological tissues. Point, A., Holsen, T.M., Fernando, S., Hopke, P.K., Crimmins, B.S. Environ. Sci. Water Res. Technol. 2019, 5, 1876-1886.
• Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations and breakpoint trends across the waters of the Great Lakes by isotope-dilution high-resolutuion mass spectroscopy. Pagano, J.J., Garner, A.J., Hopke, P.K., Crimmins, B.S., Fernando, S., Milligan, M.S., Holsen, T.M. Science of the Total Environment. 2025, 958, 178024.
• Differentiation of (Mixed) Halogenated Dibenzo-p-Dioxins by Negative Ion Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization. Fernando S, Green MK, Organtini K, Dorman F, Jones R, Reiner EJ, Jobst KJ. Anal Chem. 2016, 88(10):5205-11.
• Evaluation of Firefighter Exposure to Wood Smoke during Training Exercises at Burn Houses. Fernando S, Shaw L, Shaw D, Gallea M, VandenEnden L, House R, Verma DK, Britz- McKibbin P, McCarry BE. Environ Sci Technol. 2016, 50(3):1536-43.
• Identification of the halogenated compounds resulting from the 1997 Plastimet Inc. fire in Hamilton, Ontario, using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography and (ultra)high resolution mass spectrometry. Fernando S, Jobst KJ, Taguchi VY, Helm PA, Reiner EJ, McCarry BE. Environ Sci Technol. 2014, 48(18):10656-63.

Analysis for PFAS in various media

• Trends (2005-2016) of perfluoroalkyl acids in top predator fish of the Laurentian Great Lakes. Point, A., Holsen, T.M., Fernando, S., Hopke, P.K., Crimmins, B.S. Science of the Total Environment. 2021, 778, 146151.
• Bioaccumulation of Perfluoroalkyl substances in a Lake Erie food web. Ren, J., Point, A., Baygi, S.F. Fernando, S., Hopke, P.K., Holsen, T.M., Crimmins, B.S. Environmental Pollution. 2023, 317, 120677.
• The unique distribution pattern of PFAS in landfill organics. Saha, B., Ateia, M., Tolaymat, T., Fernando, S., Varghese, J.R., Golui, D., Bezbaruah, A., Xu, J., Aich, N., Briest, J., Iskander, S.M.  Journal of Hazardous Materials. 2024, 479, 135678
• PFAS occurrence and distribution in yard waste compost indicate potential volatile loss, downward migration, and transformation. Saha, B., Ateia, M., Fernando, S., Xu, J., DeSutter, T., Iskander, S.M.  Environ. Sci. Processes Impactsl. 2024, 26, 657-666.
• Bioaccumulation of Perfluoroalkyl substances in a Lake Huron aquatic food web. Ren, J., Point, A., Baygi, S.F. Fernando, S., Hopke, P.K., Holsen, T.M., Crimmins, B.S. Science of the Total Environment. 2022, 819, 152974.
• Bioaccumulation of Perfluoroalkyl substances in a Lake Ontario food web. Ren, J., Point, A., Baygi, S.F. Fernando, S., Hopke, P.K., Holsen, T.M., Crimmins, B.S. Journal of Great Lakes Research. 2022, 48, 315-325.