Ryo Sekine

Biography

Dr Ryo Sekine is a Lecturer in Chemistry at USC 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.

Prior to commencing at USC, Dr Sekine 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 (Research Associate, UniSA) and in the United Kingdom (Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow, NERC-CEH, now UKCEH), and he maintains valuable networks in both areas of research.

More recently, he has expanded his interests into understanding the impact of climate change on soil nutrients and chemistry through collaborations with colleagues in the UK and Germany.

Dr Sekine has strong interests in the application of synchrotron-based infrared and X-ray techniques in the areas of nanoscience, soil science and geochemistry. 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.

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

• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Individual Fellowship, 2015-2018
• Best Presentation by an Early Career Researcher, ICOBTE Zurich, 2017
• Australian Nanotechnology Network Overseas Travel Award, 2014
• >22 synchrotron beamtime awards, >$1.2m in in-kind ANSTO Grant value, 2012-2020

Potential research projects for HDR and Honours students

• Chemistry of soils, enhanced weathering and climate change
• Vanadium geochemistry in the marine environment
• Environmental nanoscience
• Application of advanced techniques for hazard identification

Teaching areas

• SCI105 Chemistry
• CHM210 Inorganic Chemistry
• ENS305 Environmental Chemistry
• SCI302 Analytical Sciences (vibrational spectroscopy section)

Expert media commentary

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.