Featured Researcher-Dr. Elizabeth Ndunda
Dr. Elizabeth Ndunda holds a PhD in Chemistry (Ulm University, Germany), MSc Chemistry (University of Nairobi, Kenya) and BSc. Chemistry (University of Nairobi, Kenya). She is currently a Lecturer at Machakos University, Department of Physical Sciences in the School of Pure and Applied Sciences.
Her research work focuses on developing novel methods based on molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for determination of organic pollutants in the environment. This work has been published in peer-reviewed journals such as Journal of Separation Science, Analyst, Journal of Molecular Recognition, Analytical Chemistry, Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, Analytica Chimica Acta among others (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6656-5413) and presented in various national and international conferences.
Her current research aims at developing a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensor based on MIPs for detection of carcinogenic polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the environment.
Research Projects
a) Future Leaders-African Independent Research (FLAIR) fellowship – £251,000
The FLAIR fellowship was awarded for the project “Towards real-time in-situ determination of polychlorinated biphenyls using molecularly imprinted polymers-based sensors”. The research topic was motivated by the challenge of environmental pollution, which is now almost a global challenge. Compounds that are harmful have been released into the environment and maybe attributed to the current increase in cases of life threatening diseases.
Specifically, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which are of interest in this research, are known to be cancer causing compounds. Tools that are available for determination of their levels in the environment require heavy investment and thus do not favor routine monitoring, which is key as a way of addressing environmental pollution.
As a solution to this challenge, sensors provide a better alternative for routine monitoring of pollutants and in the long run lead to protection of human and animal life through favorable policies. Preliminary results have indicated that synthetic receptors (i.e., molecularly imprinted polymers, MIPs) selective to PCBs, offer a great opportunity towards modification of sensor systems for timely and low level detection of pollutants. Sensor systems complement the heavy investment techniques by providing an affordable tool that is able to provide timely results.
Within this research project, the following have been achieved:
- Published three articles in peer-reviewed journals
Moses M. Mwanza, Elizabeth N. Ndunda, Geoffrey O. Bosire, Vincent O. Nyamori and Bice S. Martincigh. (2021). Advances in sample pretreatment and detection of PCBs in the environment. Journal of hazardous materials advances, 4 (2021) 100028. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hazadv.2021.100028
i) Japheth M. Nzangya, Elizabeth N. Ndunda, Geoffrey O. Bosire, Bice S. Martincigh and Vincent O. Nyamori (2021). Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) as Emerging Environmental Pollutants: Advances in Sample Preparation and Detection Techniques, Emerging Contaminants, IntechOpen, Aurel Nuro. http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.93858
ii) Ndunda, E.N. (2020). Molecularly imprinted polymers: a closer look at the control polymer used in determining the imprinting effect: a mini review. Journal of Molecular Recognition, 33(11), e2855. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmr.2855
2. Purchased four key equipment that include: FT-IR, QCM Sensor Platform, SPE Vacuum Manifold, and Chemat Spin Coater.
3. Supported two MSc Chemistry students in their research and short research visit to the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
4. Established a collaboration with Prof. Vincent Nyamori (https://scp.ukzn.ac.za/vincent-nyamori/) and Prof. Bice Martincigh (https://scp.ukzn.ac.za/bice-martincigh/) of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
b) International Exchanges 2019 – £6,000
The internal exchanges grant was awarded for the project “Development of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for Water and Soil Pollution Detection and Purification”: The collaboration Grant aimed at developing research a links between Africa-based FLAIR Fellows and UK-based researchers to address global challenges. To this end, Machakos University has established a collaboration with the University of Lancashire (UCLan) through Prof. Subrayal Reddy (https://www.uclan.ac.uk/academics/professor-sub-reddy)
Within this collaboration, the following has been achieved:
- Published one article in peer-reviewed journal
HF EL-Sharif, S. Patel, EN Ndunda and SM Reddy. (2022). Electrochemical Detection of Dioctylphthalate using Molecularly Imprinted Polymers and Disposable Electrodes. Analytica Chimica Acta. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aca.2022.339547
2. Dr. Elizabeth Ndunda gave a seminar talk on 19th January 2022 to UCLan colleagues and students on the application of MIPs in water pollutant detection.
