Sara Vaezafshar
Oakville,Canada
Summary
Environmental Scientist with 5+ years of experience in toxicology and exposure assessment. Expertise in designing studies on environmental hazards and human exposure, alongside conducting statistical analyses. Skilled in developing standard operating procedures and providing consultation to stakeholders. Proven ability to lead interdisciplinary teams and deliver effective education sessions to promote public health.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Postdoctoral Fellow
McMaster University
Hamilton, Canada
01.2024 - Current
- Conduct life cycle assessments (LCA) across all phases of mining, from exploration to remediation, to evaluate environmental contamination and human exposure to chemicals concern.
- Identify key sources of chemical contaminants and develop evidence-based strategies to reduce occupational exposure among miners and mitigate environmental impacts through improved waste management practices.
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to support sustainable critical mineral recovery aligned with national resource goals.
- Design experiments and develop analytical methods to measure levels of contaminants in different environments and consumer products.
- Utilize statistical data analysis to assess exposure trends and their implications for public health.
- Measure and evaluate exposure to chemicals of concern using advanced LC-MS and GC-MS techniques.
- Present findings to stakeholders and contribute to scientific publications and project reports.
Volunteer Contributor
Canadian Partnership for Children's Health and Environment (CPCHE)
01.2024 - Current
- Assist with a project focused on developing practical tips for improving children's health.
Field Sampling Technician | National Water Quality and Surveillance Program
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)
Burlington, Canada
01.2021 - 01.2024
- Monitored automated precipitation samplers and ensured sample integrity through regular maintenance.
- Documented and reported findings in alignment with ECCC standards.
- Maintained communication with stakeholders to address sampling concerns.
Teaching Assistant
University of Toronto
Toronto, Canada
01.2020 - 01.2024
- Provided academic support to over 250 students annually, fostering understanding of environmental science concepts.
- Conducted workshops and training sessions for teaching assistants, emphasizing critical reading and writing skills.
Research Assistant
University of Toronto
Toronto, Canada
01.2019 - 01.2024
- Designed and implemented studies to measure and identify sources of organic substances in environmental samples, including air, water, soil, and dust.
- Collaborated with Health Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada on projects addressing exposure to toxic chemicals.
- Developed analytical methods and SOPs, ensuring adherence to QA/QC standards.
- Conducted statistical analyses and synthesized findings to inform public health policies.
- Trained and mentored over 10 students in analytical techniques and lab safety.
Research Assistant
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Canada
01.2017 - 01.2019
- Analyzed samples using solid phase micro-extraction (SPME) in combination with gas chromatography (GC) and thermal desorption (TD)-GC methods.
- Managed the sensory panel to assess collected research samples, including the recruitment and coordination of panelists.
Education
Ph.D. - Environmental Chemistry
University of Toronto
Toronto, Ontario, Canada01.2024
M. Sc. - Textile Science
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada01.2019
B.Sc. - Applied Chemistry
University of Mazandaran
Babolsar, Mazandaran, Iran01.2014
Skills
- Environmental sampling and exposure assessment
- Chemical analysis and risk evaluation
- Statistical analysis and data interpretation (R, SPSS, Excel)
- Sampling protocol design and execution
- Stakeholder engagement and collaboration
- Interdisciplinary team leadership
- SOP development and quality assurance
- Laboratory instrumentation proficiency
Affiliations
- Publications
Vaezafshar, S., Siegel, J. A., Jantunen, L. M, Diamond, M. L. 2023. Widespread Occurrence of Pesticides in Low-income Housing. Journal Of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology, 1-10.
Vaezafshar, S., Wolk, S., Simpson, K., Akhbarizadeh, R., Jantunen, L., & Diamond, M. L. (2025). Are Sleeping Children Exposed to Harmful Chemicals from their Mattresses? Environmental Science & Technology. press release covered.
Vaezafshar, S., Wolk, S., Arrandale, V. H., Suehring, R., Phipps, E., Jantunen, L., & Diamond, M. L. (2025). Young Children’s Exposure to SVOCs in the Sleeping Environment: An In-home Study. Environmental Science & Technology Letters. Accepted, Editor’s Choice. press release covered.
McQueen, R. H., & Vaezafshar, S. (2020). Odor in textiles: A review of evaluation methods, fabric characteristics, and odor control technologies. Textile Research Journal
• Conference Presentations
Participated in over 10 international and national conferences including:
International Society of Exposure Science (ISES) Annual Meeting [2023].
SETAC Laurentian Conference [2023]
SETAC North America Annual Meeting [2020, 2021, and 2022].
Indoor Air Conference [2022].
15th International Conference of the Metabolomics Society [2019]
Aachen International Textile Conference [2018].
Accomplishments
Ontario Graduate Scholarship.
Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship.
Doctoral-level platform runner up, 27th annual Laurentian SETAC.
David Strangway Award In Earth Science
Helen DeSilva Buchanan Memorial Graduate Scholarship in Clothing and Textiles
Certification
- X-Ray Fluorescence Analyzer Operator Personnel Certification, 2020, Achievement of the level 1& 2 certificates of XRF- National Resource Canada (NRCan) with 5 years of validation.
- Standard First Aid & CPR/AED level C, 2019
Voluntary Experience
Graduate member of the Health and Safety Committee, 01/01/21, 09/30/24
Timeline
Postdoctoral Fellow
McMaster University
01.2024 - Current
Volunteer Contributor
Canadian Partnership for Children's Health and Environment (CPCHE)
01.2024 - Current
Field Sampling Technician | National Water Quality and Surveillance Program
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)
01.2021 - 01.2024
Teaching Assistant
University of Toronto
01.2020 - 01.2024
Research Assistant
University of Toronto
01.2019 - 01.2024
Research Assistant
University of Alberta
01.2017 - 01.2019
Ph.D. - Environmental Chemistry
University of Toronto
M. Sc. - Textile Science
University of Alberta
B.Sc. - Applied Chemistry
University of Mazandaran
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