2nd Commonwealth Chemistry Congress - Abstract book

Keynote Speakers Debbie-Ann Gordon-Smith I am a Lecturer in Environmental and Analytical Chemistry at The University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica. My research is focused on the investigation of chemical contaminants in Jamaica’s fresh and marine waters and the impact of these contaminants on aquatic environments. This work involves the study of the sources and flow of surface and groundwaters, water pollution studies and the investigation of submarine groundwater discharge to coastal environments. These studies incorporate water quality analyses and stable and radioactive isotopic measurements to examine pollutant contributions from various sources. This research is driven by a need to understand the biogeochemical processes occurring in freshwaters and nearshore marine environments and the impact of land-based activities on Jamaica’s water systems; ultimately, to address problems associated with the management of Jamaica’s water resources. I also have a keen interest in investigating the effects of climate change on tropical marine water chemistry. My research group includes a great team of multidisciplinary, multicultural and multinational researchers, including undergraduate and postgraduate students, investigating the flow and quality of freshwaters in four of Jamaica’s largest hydrologic basins, as well as, water quality and ecosystem health in three of Jamaica’s marine protected areas. Gloria Ukalina Obuzor Gloria Ukalina Obuzor is a Prof. of Organic Chemistry from Nigeria who obtained her Ph.D. in 1998 in organic synthesis (organometallics) at University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST), now Manchester of University, under the tutelage of Dr. B. L. Booth with emphasis in the synthesis of new cyclopentadienyl and indenyl transition metal complexes. Her research areas are organic synthesis, green chemistry and phytochemistry where the rich fauna of Nigeria is explored for nutraceutical. She is an oenologist, has a passion for product development and she is the proud producer of Ukalina Wines (White and Red -produced from locally available fruits). She is currently exploring the conversion of waste to wealth and the production of bitters. Gloria Ukalina Obuzor was retained by the University of Port Harcourt after her mandatory National Youth service corp. (NYSC) in 1991 where she rose through the ranks to become a Professor in 2012. She has mentored over 100 secondary school girls. She is the first female President of Chemical Society of Nigeria (CSN) in its forty years of existence (2014-2017), the Rivers State Coordinator of Organization for Women in Science for Developing World (2010-2019), a Bureau member of International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (2019-2023, and the President of Federation of African Societies of Chemistry (FASC).

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