heather pace

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2009 Fulbright Postgraduate Scholar

Media profile

“Nanotechnology is expected to revolutionise industry, ushering in a new era of materials. However, only with positive public perception and a firm understanding of the risks can commercialisation of nanotechnology flourish.”

Heather Pace, currently a PhD candidate in environmental science at the Colorado School of Mines, has been awarded a Fulbright Postgraduate Scholarship from the Australian-American Fulbright Commission for 12 months research with the CSIRO Future Manufacturing Flagship.

Heather will conduct research into engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) and issues with assessing their toxicity. Her project aims to develop a way to detect and characterize metal-containing ENPs in humans and animals that have been exposed to nanoparticles to assist with safety assessments.

“The nanotechnology industry is rapidly growing with new commercial applications ranging from electronics to personal care products to medicines,” Heather said.

“While this technology is expected to have numerous social and economic benefits, the safety of these nano-sized materials is relatively unknown. Only with proper risk assessments can this new technology be used responsibly.”

Heather says that currently there is no effective method for measuring ENPs in biological samples such as blood, urine and organ tissues.

“This inability to quantify ENPs in these ‘real world’ complex matrices at relevant concentrations has led to significant knowledge gaps in both human and ecological risk assessments.”

Heather will work in conjunction with the CSIRO Nanosafety team at the Future Manufacturing Flagship directed by Dr. Maxine McCall.

Heather has a BA in Biology from Whitman College and has won various scholarships and awards including, Sussman Scholarship for Environmental Research and the Gilbert Scholarship from the Mote Marine Laboratory. In addition to her academic work Heather has been involved with organising a volunteer water monitoring program involving local members of the community.

Heather is one of 19 American Fulbright Scholars travelling to Australia in 2009/2010.