Mark Fitzsimons

Professor Mark Fitzsimons is a Professor of Environmental Chemistry at the University of Plymouth, leading the Biogeochemistry Research Centre within the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences. His research focuses on environmental chemistry, biogeochemical cycles of nitrogen and phosphorus, pharmaceuticals in the environment, and soil science. He has supervised over 14 PhD and MPhil students across topics like pharmaceutical fate in soils, coastal nitrogen dynamics, and marine algae nutrient uptake. His work contributes to global goals such as sustainable soil management (SDG 15) and clean water (SDG 6).

Teaching: Delivers modules in Organic Chemistry (carbonyl compounds, mass spectrometry), Environmental Chemistry (pharmaceuticals in soils/aquatic systems), and Analytical Chemistry (GC, HPLC, MS techniques).

Research Trends: Recent articles emphasize volatile amine cycling in marine systems, pharmaceuticals in wastewater-impacted environments, and biochar applications in manufactured soils. Collaborations include AstraZeneca, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, and international institutions like Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.

Grants & Advising: Principal Investigator on externally-funded programs including NERC, EU-MARES, and Commonwealth Science Council grants. Advises students on projects ranging from Antarctic amine distributions to soil fertility in the Eden Project’s artificial soils.

Labs/Teams: Leads the Biogeochemistry Research Centre, focusing on interdisciplinary approaches to environmental challenges, with expertise in analytical chemistry and field-based studies.