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DoctorFernando Maya Alejandro

Senior Lecturer in Chemistry

Chemistry

Orcid identifier0000-0003-1458-736X (opens in a new tab)⁠
  • Senior Lecturer in Chemistry
    Chemistry
  • +61 3 6226 2165 (Work)
  • School of Natural Sciences, Chemistry, 403 Chemistry Building, Sandy Bay Campus, TAS

RESEARCH SUMMARy

Expertise
Analytical Chemistry
Separation Science
Flow Chemistry
Polymer Chemistry
Metal-organic frameworks
3D printing

Research Themes
Fernando’ s research aligns to the research themes of the Australian Centre for research on Separation Science (ACROSS). His research interests include the development of novel separation methods and techniques for microplastics and nanoplastics, the synthesis of porous polymers and hybrid materials, the development of supports for extraction and separation based on 3D printing, and the design of novel methodologies for analytical sample preparation. 

Awards and Appointments

2023-2024. Talanta Open. Guest Editor. Special Issue: Analytical Applications of metal-organic frameworks and covalent organic frameworks.

2023. Separation Science Plus. Associate Editor.

2020. Journal of Separation Science. Associate Editor.
2020 Journal of Separation Science. Guest Editor of the special issue: Materials in separation science.
2020 Featured in: Emerging thought leaders in separation science in Journal of Separation Science.
2019 Featured in: Rising starts in separation science in Chromatographia (Springer).

2017-2020 Member of the International Editorial Board of Journal of Separation Science. 
2017 FIA Award for Young Researchers. Awarded by the Japanese Association for Flow Injection Analysis.
2017 Juan de la Cierva Research Fellowship. Government of Spain.

2014 CAIB Research Fellowship. Government of the Balearic Islands (Spain).

2013 Fulbright Occasional Lecturer. University of Minnesota, Morris (US).

2012-2013 Fulbright Scholar. University of California - Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (US).
2011-2012 PhD thesis Award (2011–2012). Department of Chemistry. UIB, Spain.

2011 Invited Researcher. Drug Research Academy. University of Copenhagen (Denmark).
2011 Best young researcher oral presentation award. 19th International Conference on Flow Injection Analysis. Fukuoka, Japan.

2011 Visiting PhD Student. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (US).

2009 Visiting PhD Student. University of Hull (UK).

2009 San Albert Research Award (Association of Chemists at the Balearic Islands, Spain).


Fields of Research
Separation science (340109)
Flow analysis (340104)
Metal organic frameworks (340207)
Analytical chemistry (340199)
Atmospheric composition, chemistry and processes (370104)
Other chemical sciences (349999)
Natural products and bioactive compounds (340502)
Polymerisation mechanisms (340306)
Polymers and plastics (401609)
Sensor technology (incl. chemical aspects) (340108)
Additive manufacturing (401401)
Agricultural land management (300202)
Analytical spectrometry (340101)
Soil physics (410605)
Soil chemistry and soil carbon sequestration (excl. carbon sequestration science) (410604)
Microfluidics and nanofluidics (401210)
Functional materials (401605)
Other agricultural, veterinary and food sciences (309999)
Composite and hybrid materials (401602)
Instrumental methods (excl. immunological and bioassay methods) (340105)

Research Objectives
Expanding knowledge in the chemical sciences (280105)
Expanding knowledge in the agricultural, food and veterinary sciences (280101)
Measurement and assessment of freshwater quality (incl. physical and chemical conditions of water) (180306)
Ground water quantification, allocation and impact of depletion (180305)
Soils (180605)
Expanding knowledge in the environmental sciences (280111)
Scientific instruments (241003)
Environmentally sustainable plant production (260199)
Horticultural crops (260599)
Other manufacturing (249999)
Expanding knowledge in the biological sciences (280102)
Composite materials (240304)
Fine chemicals (240904)
Nutraceuticals and functional foods (241308)


FUNDED PROJECTS

  • GRANT
    Rapid field-based soil measurement approach using an integrated smartphone system.
    30 Oct 2023 - 15 Apr 2027
    People funded by this grant:
    • Breadmore M,
    • Maya Alejandro F,
    • Doyle R,
    • Wang L,
    • Naidu R
    Project Total: $892,251; The overall purpose of this project is to field validate and further develop the product prototype of an affordable field-based toolkit for measuring soil pH and nitrogen, using microfluidic chip technology to meet the commercialisation requirement. Funded by: CRC for High Performance Soils Ltd - Grant; Charles Sturt University; University of Newcastle; Herbert Cane Productivity Services Ltd.; Burdekin Productivity Services; University of Tasmania.
  • GRANT
    ARC Training Centre for Hyphenated Analytical Separation Technologies
    14 Aug 2023 - 13 Aug 2028
    People funded by this grant:
    • Paull B,
    • Thomas K,
    • Shellie R,
    • Rauert C,
    • Sanz Rodriguez E
    Project Total: $6,349,227; The toughest analytical science challenges typically require advanced analytical technologies to acquire the desired solutions. In the field of separation science this inevitably involves hyphenated separation technologies, specifically the combination of chromatography and mass spectrometry. Advancing this technology to its full capability requires the collaborative strength of academic, industry and end-user partnerships, providing the materials and inspiration for young researchers to apply novel hyphenated methods to complex environmental and industrial systems. This Centre will deliver fundamental developments in hyphenated technologies, new analytical capability, and applied outcomes across multiple end-user groups and interests. Funded by: Australian Research Council - Grant-Industrial Transformation Training Centres ($4,958,927); Deakin University ($375,000); Queensland Health ($250,000); University of Queensland ($245,300); Trajan Scientific and Medical Pty Ltd ($240,000); Thermo Fisher Scientific Australia ($105,000); Noumi Limited ($105,000); Australian Antarctic Division ($80,000); Norske-Skog (Australasia) Pty Ltd ($70,000); University of Tasmania ($500,867).
  • GRANT
    Lab-in-a-chip: A smartphone application to determine soil soluble organic carbon and enzyme activities
    16 Jan 2023 - 22 Feb 2027
    People funded by this grant:
    • Maya Alejandro F,
    • Breadmore M,
    • Wang L
    Project Total: $637,099; This project will further develop field-based colorimetric assessment technologies with water extractable organic carbon (WEOC) and enzyme activities assessments to evaluate soil organic matter and soil microbial activities. WEOC plays an important role in the adsorption-desorption equilibrium between the dissolved solid phases in soil organic matter. Soil enzyme activities, as a soil microbial health indicator, play an important role in organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling, Fortunately, both soil WEOC and enzymes can be quantified using colorimetric methods, The colorimetric reagents will be integrated into the multi-channel 3D microfluidic device, and the chemometric models will be developed and integrated into the smartphone application of the project 2.2.4, to simultaneously quantify the colorimetric information for both soil chemical and biological properties. Funded by: CRC for High Performance Soils Ltd - Grant; University of Newcastle; Herbert Cane Productivity Services Ltd.; Burdekin Productivity Services; University of Tasmania.
  • GRANT
    Boosting research capability to develop value-added products for the food and wood industries in regional areas.
    17 Sep 2021 - 29 Feb 2028
    People funded by this grant:
    • Paull B,
    • Nolan G,
    • O'Reilly-Wapstra J,
    • Stanley R,
    • Smith J
    Project Total: $4,015,643; Food and wood products are areas of strategic growth for Tasmania and regional Australia, contributing $1.6 billion and $615 million, respectively, to the annual Tasmanian economy. A thriving and sustainable sector requires continued innovation to locally value-add and diversify products and markets. Innovation is underpinned by research strengths and a workforce sector connected to advances in technology and trained graduates. The University of Tasmania (UTas) is committed, through its strategic plan, to deliver impactful research to help Tasmania prosper, and to have influence nationally and globally. Through collaborations, this three-year project will increase research and development activity at UTas to support value-adding in niche food and wood products in regional areas. The delivery of the project will build cross-disciplinary, integrated collaborations at UTas, and together with long-term external partnerships and collaborations, will maximise the benefits of interdisciplinary approaches to delivering impactful research for the regions Funded by: Department of Education, Skills and Employment - Grant-Regional Research Collaboration ($4,005,643); Forico Pty Ltd ($10,000); University of Tasmania ($314,418).
  • CONSULTANCY/CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Water monitoring systems for deployment at the Copping Waste Site
    Syrinx Environmental Pty Ltd1 Jan 2021 - 31 Dec 2022
    People funded by this grant:
    • Breadmore M,
    • Smejkal P,
    • Amuno M,
    • Maya Alejandro F
    Project Total: $19,991; two portable capillary electrophoresis prototype systems already developed will be replicated and deployed in collaboration with Syrinx and Southern Waste Solutions (SWS). These systems will be tested for their capability to monitor inorganic ions and heavy metals in the remediation system to provide information on design and optimisation of future remediation systems. Funded by: Syrinx Environmental Pty Ltd ($19,991); University of Tasmania.
  • GRANT
    Mobile soil water extraction for biological and chemical analysis
    CRC for High Performance Soils Ltd1 Nov 2019 - 1 May 2023
    People funded by this grant:
    • Hardie M,
    • Maya Alejandro F,
    • Gale T
    Project Total: $110,000; NOTE: This is funding for a Phd Scholarship, that will be administered within the existing CRC Soil : Smart Soil Sensors project. NOTE: Th funding has already been granted by the Soil CRC: UTAS/TIA will provide 50% stipend. The other 50% and operating will be provided by the SOIL CRC. Growers need a fast, reliable paddock based means to measure soil NPK in order to manage fertilizer application in a timely, spatially cognisant, and efficient manner. Current soil testing is too slow and too expensive for either precision fertilizer management or reactive fertilizer management. This project will prototype a mobile device for the extraction of soil water for microbial and chemical analysis . The device will be able to extract soil water from both moist and wet soils, which when coupled with Lab on a Chip analysis will report the 'true' availability of nutrients that plants are able to extract from the soil. Funded by: CRC for High Performance Soils Ltd - Grant ($110,000); University of Tasmania.
  • GRANT
    Affordable approaches to rapid field test of soil chemical properties
    10 May 2019 - 1 Dec 2023
    People funded by this grant:
    • Wang L,
    • Hugo K,
    • Naidu R,
    • Breadmore M,
    • Li F
    Project Total: $161,006; This project aims to develop tools that will assist land managers better manage nutrient inputs targeted to meet crop requirements. Throughout this project, an affordable field-based tool kit will be developed to obtain real-time analytical information about the determination of soil chemical properties, in a simple and cost-effective way. Funded by: CRC for High Performance Soils Ltd - Grant; University of Tasmania ($52,500).