Xenia Trier

Xenia Trier is an Associate Professor in the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences at the University of Copenhagen's Faculty of Science, specializing in environmental analytical chemistry with a focus on PFAS (Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances) and chemical risk governance. Her work bridges analytical science and environmental policy implementation.

• Institution: University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Science
• Department: Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Section for Environmental Chemistry and Physics
• Position: Associate Professor (since 2022)

Dr. Trier's research centers on analytical chemistry supporting chemical risk governance, particularly focusing on persistent contaminants like PFAS. She has expertise in targeted, suspect screening and non-targeted screening methods using chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Her work addresses chemicals with irreversible environmental effects, examining their presence in environmental media, biota, humans, and products. She leads the EU Horizon Europe project ARAGORN on remediation of persistent contaminants in soil and ecological restoration, and a national project on environmental PFAS analyses.

Her recent publications reveal a strong focus on PFAS research across multiple dimensions - from chemical definition and regulatory frameworks to analytical methods and environmental health impacts. Her work shows increasing engagement with policy implementation and the scientific basis for chemical regulation, particularly regarding persistent pollutants. She actively contributes to international science-policy developments including the EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability.

Dr. Trier is an active member of the Global PFAS Science Panel, the European Norman Network on exchange of information on chemicals, and the Danish Society of Analytical Chemistry. Her research has been featured in numerous news outlets, policy documents, and academic platforms, demonstrating significant impact in both scientific and policy circles.

She has led and contributed to multiple collaborative projects examining the intersection of chemical pollution with climate change, environmental health, and sustainable policy implementation. Her work emphasizes the need for managing PFAS as a class rather than individual substances, advocating for essential uses only.