معرفی
Matthew Ross serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Sciences within MacEwan University's Faculty of Arts and Science. His research program integrates environmental chemistry, analytical chemistry, and toxicology to investigate anthropogenic pollutant dynamics in natural systems, with particular emphasis on oil sands-affected environments and microplastic contamination.
His academic credentials include a PhD in Environmental and Analytical Chemistry from the University of Alberta (2011) and a B.Sc. in Biology from Arizona State University. This foundation supports his multidisciplinary approach to environmental contamination challenges.
Dr. Ross's research spans petroleum acid identification in oil sands process water, microplastic fate in urban watersheds, behavioral toxicology of contaminants, and atmospheric chemistry of urban pollution. His analytical expertise in chromatography and mass spectrometry enables precise characterization of complex environmental mixtures, particularly naphthenic acids and emerging pollutants. Current projects examine microplastic transport mechanisms and biodegradation pathways in oil sands-affected ecosystems.
Recent publication trends (2017-2024) reveal a strategic research evolution from fundamental oil sands contaminant characterization toward urgent environmental challenges including microplastic pollution across diverse ecosystems (urban stormwater, rivers, Arctic waters) and innovative remediation approaches like biochar treatment. His work maintains strong methodological continuity in advanced analytical techniques while expanding into novel environmental matrices and emerging contaminants.
Scientific recognition includes:
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Discovery Grant (2014–2019)
- MacEwan University Special Projects Grant (2013)
- MacEwan University Arts and Sciences Research Fund (2013)
- MacEwan University Project Grant (2013)
Dr. Ross actively mentors undergraduate researchers through independent study projects and integrates field research into his environmental chemistry courses. His grant portfolio supports analytical instrumentation development and collaborative studies with environmental agencies addressing real-world pollution monitoring challenges in Alberta's watersheds. Current research expands into Arctic microplastic contamination and advanced oxidation processes for oil sands process water treatment.
His laboratory maintains specialized capabilities in high-resolution mass spectrometry for environmental analysis, with ongoing field sampling programs in the North Saskatchewan River watershed and urban Edmonton stormwater systems.
