Sabrina Beker

I am Sabrina, I have a PhD in Applied Biology & Biotechnology from RMIT University (2022). I recently completed this degree in environmental remediation with a focus on the degradation of environmental pollutants in water (wastewater & groundwater) using efficient & eco-friendly carbon nanoparticles.

ALUMNUS – Current LinkedIn profile including contact details.

I have practical experience in hydrothermal synthesis & physicochemical characterisation of carbon nanoparticles. Also, I have experience with the degradation of contaminants using AOP (Fenton-like reaction) and bioremediation, as well as their post-remediation chemical & microbiological analyses (ecotoxicity & molecular biology).

I currently work as a lab demonstrator teaching students through practical lab classes about experiments, methods, and protocols for the Environmental Biotechnology course at RMIT. I have also demonstrated for Research Methods, Genetics & Molecular Biology, and Introduction to Microbiology for Food & Nutrition courses at RMIT University (Melbourne, Australia).

Previously, I worked with biodegradation of fuel & biofuel and its control using synthetic & natural additives for 6+ years. My main work experiences are within scientific research, but I am open to new experiences outside research/academia as well.

In my spare time I enjoy cycling, hiking, and outdoor activities. I also love practicing yoga at the end of a long day and spending time with my friends.

Skills

  • Hydrothermal synthesis of carbon dots
  • Photoluminescence (PL) of carbon dots
  • Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)
  • Zeta potential
  • Dynamic light scattering (DLS)
  • Microbiological aseptic & sterile techniques
  • Optical microscopy
  • Bacterial staining & plating methods (streak, spread, pour, replica)
  • MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) assays
  • Microbial DNA extraction
  • Microtox bioassayPolymerase chain reaction (PCR)

PhD project

Prior work

  • 2018present: lab demonstrator at RMIT University (casual)
    • I currently work as a laboratory demonstrator for undergraduate & postgraduate students on the following topics: Environmental Biotechnology, Research Methods, and Introduction to Microbiology for Food & Nutrition. I also mark student assignments.
  • 2014-2016: Research project ‘Chemical & microbial storage stability studies of commercial Brazilian biodiesels’
    • Department of Microbiology, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
    • Supervisors: Dr. Eduardo Cavalcanti (National Institute of Technology, Rio de Janeiro) & Prof. Dr. Fatima Menezes Bento (UFRGS, Porto Alegre)
  • 2012-2014: Masters thesis ‘Evaluation of the antimicrobial potential of TBHQ (tert-butyl-hydroquinone) & bio-oil for use in soybean biodiesel (B100) & diesel oil B (B10)’
    • Department of Microbiology, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
    • Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Fatima Menezes Bento, Prof. Dr. Renato Cataluña, and Prof. Dr. Clarisse Piatnicki (UFRGS)
  • 2010-2011: Undergraduate project ‘Biodegradability of diesel oil B (B7) by bacteria isolated from landfarming site’
    • Department of Microbiology, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
    • Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Adriana Cibele Dantas & Prof. Dr. Fatima Menezes Bento

Publications

  • Beker, SA, Cole, I & Ball, SA (2022). ‘A review on the catalytic remediation of dyes by tailored carbon dots’, Water, vol. 14, pp. 1456. DOI: 10.3390/w14091456.
  • Beker, SA, Khudur, LS, Cole, I & Ball, AS (2022). ‘Catalytic degradation of methylene blue using iron and nitrogen-containing carbon dots as Fenton-like catalysts’, New Journal of Chemistry, vol.  46, pp. 263-275. DOI: 10.1039/d1nj04761b.
  • Beker, SA, Truskewycz, Cole, I & Ball, AS (2020). ‘Green synthesis of Opuntia-derived carbon nanodots for the catalytic decolourization of cationic dyes’, New Journal of Chemistry, vol. 44, pp. 20001-20012. DOI: 10.1039/d0nj03013a.
  • Truskewycz, A, Beker, SA, Ball, AS, Murdoch, B & Cole, I (2020). ‘Incorporation of quantum carbon dots into a PVP/ZnO hydrogel for use as an effective hexavalent chromium sensing platform', Analytica Chimica Acta, vol. 1099, pp. 126-135. DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2019.11.053.
  • Truskewycz, A, Beker, S, Ball, AS & Cole, I (2019). 'Photoluminescence measurements of carbon quantum dots within three-dimensional hydrogel matrices using a high throughput 96 well plate method', MethodsX, vol. 6, pp. 437-441. DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2019.02.014.
  • Meyer, DD, Beker, SA, Heck, K, Peralba, M & Bento, FM (2018). 'Simulation of a surface spill of different diesel/biodiesel mixtures in an ultisol, using natural attenuation and bioaugmentation/biostimulation', Annals of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences, vol. 90, no. 3, pp. 2741-2752. DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765201820170268.
  • Bücker, F, de Moura, TM, da Cunha, ME, de Quadros, PD, Beker, SA, Cazarolli, JC, Caramão, EB, Frazzon, APG & Bento, FM (2018). 'Evaluation of the deteriogenic microbial community using qPCR, n-alkanes and FAMEs biodegradation in diesel, biodiesel and blends (B5, B10, and B50) during storage', Fuel, vol. 233, pp. 911-917. DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2017.11.076.
  • Boelter, G, Cazarolli, JC, Beker, SA, de Quadros, PD, Correa, C, Ferrao, MF, Galeazzi, CF, Pizzolato, TM & Bento, FM (2018). 'Pseudallescheria boydii and Meyerozyma guilliermondii: behavior of deteriogenic fungi during simulated storage of diesel, biodiesel, and B10 blend in Brazil', Environmental Science & Pollution Research International, vol. 25, no. 30, pp. 30410-30424. DOI: 10.1007/s11356-018-3015-x.
  • Beker, SA, da Silva, YP, Bücker, F, Cazarolli, JC, de Quadros, PD, Peralba, MdCR, Piatnicki, CMS & Bento, FM (2016). 'Effect of different concentrations of tert- butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) on microbial growth and chemical stability of soybean biodiesel during simulated storage', Fuel, vol. 184, pp. 701-707. DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2016.07.067.
  • Beker, SA, Machado, ME, Maciel, GPS, Silva, R, Cataluña, R, Caramão, EB & Bento, FM (2015). 'Antimicrobial potential of bio-oil for use in diesel oil B10', Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society, vol. 27, pp. 91-98. DOI: 10.5935/0103-5053.20150252.
  • Meyer, DD, Beker, SA, Bücker, F, Peralba, MdCR, Guedes Frazzon, AP, Osti, JF, Andreazza, R, Anastácio de Oliveira Camargo, F & Bento, FM (2014). 'Bioremediation strategies for diesel and biodiesel in oxisol from southern Brazil', International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation, vol. 95, pp. 356-363. DOI: 10.1016/j.ibiod.2014.01.026.

Further information

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.