Dr. Owens has wide and varied background in chemistry both via study and from hands on experience. His doctorate in Physical Chemistry (Polymers) was conferred in 1996. This completed several years of part-time study while working simultaneously in a range of jobs including laboratory technician (Dept. Chemistry), senior demonstrator and tutor (Dept. Chemistry), analytical chemist (Centre for Groundwater Studies), research officer (Dept. Community Medicine) and three years as a private tutor of undergraduate chemistry. In 2001 Gary joined CSIRO Land and Water and worked successfully for many years on a variety of projects before moving to the University of South Australia in 2003 as a founding member of the Centre for Environmental Risk... Read more
About me
Dr. Owens has wide and varied background in chemistry both via study and from hands on experience. His doctorate in Physical Chemistry (Polymers) was conferred in 1996. This completed several years of part-time study while working simultaneously in a range of jobs including laboratory technician (Dept. Chemistry), senior demonstrator and tutor (Dept. Chemistry), analytical chemist (Centre for Groundwater Studies), research officer (Dept. Community Medicine) and three years as a private tutor of undergraduate chemistry. In 2001 Gary joined CSIRO Land and Water and worked successfully for many years on a variety of projects before moving to the University of South Australia in 2003 as a founding member of the Centre for Environmental Risk Assessment and Remediation (CERAR).
Dr Gary Owens has been involved in research into environmental chemistry since 2001. In that time he has worked successfully on a number of widely diverse projects touching all facets of that field. This has included 1) studies into the effectiveness of phytoremediation, 2) bioaccumulation and transfer of heavy metals from biosolid amended soils to plants and aphids, 3) degradation of low molecular weight chelates, 4) reclaimed water use on the Northern Adelaide Plains, 5) evaluation of the free ion activity model, 6) beneficial recycling of used foundry sands, 7) effect of NO2 on the incidence of asthma in residents of Port Adelaide and 8) the development of several new analytical techniques, mainly utilizing capillary electrophoresis, for the speciation of metal and organic compounds. In recent years Dr Owens has become more involved in the development of novel remediation techniques, most notably for the in situ immobilization of arsenic contaminated soils and the development of in situ remediation regimes to reduce lead exposure to children.
From January 2003 until January 2013 Dr Owens was employed through the Centre for Environmental Risk Assessment and Remediation (CERAR) where his main role was as an environmental chemist/toxicologist/engineer, with specific attention directed towards, development of new techniques for the determination of metal bioavailability in environmental matrices and to develop novel and practical, cost effective in-situ and ex-situ remediation techniques for contaminated environments. He played a key role in the training of postgraduate students and assistsed in the negotiation of external contracts and completesed complex consultancies on contaminant residues in environmental samples.
In 2007 Dr Owens became the inaugural Program Director for the Masters of Applied Science (Environmnetal Risk Assessment and Remediation) which focuses on providing specialist training within the areas of environmental risk assessment, site assessment and contaminated site remediation. The program develops strong technical competencies together with the detailed knowledge required to assess and characterize contaminant risk, model the behaviour and transport of toxicants and practically implement contaminated site remediation. The program sets the benchmark qualifications for graduates wishing to pursue careers in environmental remediation. In January 2013 Dr Owens was invited to move to the Mawson Institute to commence an ARC Future Fellowship examining “The role of engineered nanoparticles in the transport of environmental contaminants and the implications for remediation”, which is a multidisciplinary project conducted at the interface between material and environmental science.
Dr Owens is currently a Foundation Fellow in the Future Industries Institute (FII) where he leads the Environmental Contaminants Group (ECG) on a number of diverse projects, touching all facets of environmental science and engineering, but primarily concerned with contaminant dynamics in terrestrial environments.
About me
Member: Royal Australian Chemical Institute http://www.raci.org.au/
Member: The Australian Nanotechnology Network http://www.ausnano.net/
Reviewer: Analytical Chemistry, Applied Water Science, Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science, ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, Catena, Chemosphere, CLEAN - Soil, Air, Water, Ecological Engineering, Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, Environmental Chemistry, Environmental and Experimental Botany, Environmental Geochemistry and Health, Environmental Management, Environmental Pollution, Environmental Science and Pollution Research, Environmental Science and Technology, Environmental Science: Nano, International Journal of Agricuture and Biology, International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Journal of Environmental Hazards, Journal of Environmental Management, Journal of Environmental Quality, Journal of Hazardous Materials, Journal of Molecular Liquids, Pedosphere, Pakistan Journal of Agricutural Sciences, Pakistan Journal of Soil Science, Plant Physiology, Polish Journal of Chemical Technology, RSC Advances, Remote Sensing of Environment, Science of the Total Environment, Soil Research, Ultrasonics Sonochemistry.
About me
Doctor of Philosophy The University of Adelaide
Bachelor of Science (Honours) The University of Adelaide
Bachelor of Science (Coursework) The University of Adelaide
Diploma in Engineering TAFE SA
I am keen to work collaboratively with both established and aspiring researchers in any of these areas and am also happy to pursue funding support collaboratively to any appropriate funding agencies.
Research
Excludes commercial-in-confidence projects.
Influence of metal oxide nanomaterials on nutrient cycling in South Australian agricultural soils: Effect on Wheat., Yitpi Foundation, 13/10/2023 - 31/12/2024
The role of engineered nanoparticles in the transport of environmental contaminants and the implications for remediation, ARC - Future Fellowship, 20/01/2013 - 31/12/2018
Research
Research outputs for the last seven years are shown below. Some long-standing staff members may have older outputs included. To see earlier years visit ORCID, ResearcherID or Scopus
Open access indicates that an output is open access.
Year | Output |
---|---|
2022 |
95
65
35
|
2019 |
Open access
33
27
|
2011 |
337
285
|
2009 |
Open access
317
266
|
2008 |
107
96
|
Year | Output |
---|---|
2021 |
|
2021 |
|
2018 |
Open access
1
|
2008 |
27
|
Year | Output |
---|---|
2023 |
2
|
2023 |
1
|
2023 |
1
|
2023 |
3
|
2023 |
2
|
2023 |
|
2023 |
|
2023 |
2
|
2023 |
1
|
2023 |
|
2023 |
9
6
|
2023 |
1
|
2023 |
Open access
3
2
|
2023 |
8
1
|
2023 |
9
|
2023 |
|
2023 |
5
|
2023 |
Open access
9
1
1
|
2023 |
|
2023 |
2
|
2023 |
3
|
2022 |
18
10
4
|
2022 |
10
5
|
2022 |
Open access
7
7
|
2022 |
3
|
2022 |
Open access
103
52
|
2022 |
8
4
|
2022 |
37
17
2
|
2022 |
10
8
|
2022 |
22
10
1
|
2022 |
Open access
5
2
|
2022 |
10
3
|
2022 |
1
1
|
2022 |
10
9
|
2022 |
25
17
|
2022 |
11
8
|
2022 |
6
3
1
|
2022 |
7
4
|
2022 |
6
5
1
|
2022 |
Open access
19
6
1
|
2022 |
Open access
|
2022 |
Open access
4
2
|
2022 |
1
1
|
2022 |
1
|
2022 |
6
5
|
2022 |
Open access
39
21
|
2022 |
7
4
|
2022 |
6
4
|
2022 |
5
|
2022 |
16
7
|
2022 |
25
12
60
|
2022 |
95
65
35
|
2022 |
Open access
24
18
|
2022 |
11
5
|
2022 |
11
6
|
2022 |
5
3
|
2022 |
8
2
|
2022 |
16
10
|
2022 |
34
22
|
2022 |
7
|
2021 |
12
3
|
2021 |
Open access
24
17
|
2021 |
Open access
13
11
|
2021 |
Open access
116
89
95
|
2021 |
Open access
26
18
|
2021 |
11
6
|
2021 |
Open access
39
26
|
2021 |
Open access
8
5
|
2021 |
Open access
18
13
|
2021 |
Open access
13
9
|
2021 |
Open access
33
23
|
2021 |
Open access
41
33
|
2021 |
27
21
|
2021 |
34
20
|
2021 |
Open access
14
13
|
2021 |
Open access
200
158
|
2021 |
Open access
137
106
5
|
2021 |
Open access
20
15
|
2021 |
Open access
22
19
|
2021 |
Open access
32
41
|
2021 |
Open access
17
11
1
|
2021 |
Open access
15
12
|
2021 |
Open access
58
43
|
2020 |
Open access
46
35
|
2020 |
Open access
27
21
1
|
2020 |
Open access
24
18
|
2020 |
Open access
26
16
|
2020 |
Open access
18
15
|
2020 |
Open access
17
15
1
|
2020 |
Open access
4
2
|
2020 |
Open access
97
73
|
2020 |
Open access
30
24
3
|
2020 |
85
58
|
2020 |
44
32
|
2020 |
Open access
158
138
1
|
2020 |
Open access
58
45
|
2020 |
Open access
252
212
1
|
2020 |
28
19
|
2020 |
Open access
196
163
|
2020 |
Open access
51
45
|
2020 |
Open access
39
34
|
2020 |
Open access
62
47
|
2020 |
Open access
17
17
|
2020 |
Open access
19
13
|
2020 |
Open access
26
23
|
2020 |
Open access
59
50
|
2019 |
32
20
|
2019 |
10
7
|
2019 |
Open access
33
27
|
2019 |
Open access
14
11
|
2019 |
342
268
|
2019 |
Open access
52
43
1
|
2019 |
51
38
|
2019 |
25
22
|
2019 |
17
15
|
2019 |
65
53
|
2019 |
229
200
|
2019 |
Open access
163
144
|
2019 |
Open access
311
271
|
2019 |
63
41
|
2019 |
13
10
|
2019 |
231
193
|
2018 |
Open access
5
4
|
2018 |
Open access
5
3
|
2018 |
Open access
10
8
|
2018 |
Open access
18
13
|
2018 |
111
88
|
2018 |
38
29
|
2018 |
58
41
1
|
2018 |
186
149
|
2018 |
Open access
20
16
1
|
2018 |
Open access
143
136
1
|
2018 |
Open access
68
53
|
2017 |
8
4
|
2017 |
29
20
4
|
2017 |
32
28
|
2016 |
157
118
1
|
2016 |
21
18
1
|
2016 |
36
28
|
2016 |
8
8
|
2016 |
27
20
|
2015 |
40
167
|
2015 |
53
280
3
|
2015 |
11
9
|
2015 |
18
64
1
|
2015 |
74
62
|
2014 |
21
17
1
|
2014 |
Open access
23
14
|
2014 |
Open access
35
30
|
2014 |
10
7
|
2014 |
2
2
1
|
2013 |
19
14
|
2013 |
91
71
|
2013 |
9
9
6
|
2013 |
20
16
|
2013 |
8
7
|
2013 |
4
3
|
2012 |
35
28
|
2012 |
36
27
|
2012 |
45
37
|
2012 |
111
88
|
2012 |
5
5
|
2012 |
22
19
|
2011 |
55
49
|
2011 |
337
285
|
2011 |
37
36
|
2010 |
73
66
|
2010 |
31
46
|
2010 |
92
87
|
2010 |
143
109
|
2010 |
145
127
|
2009 |
10
9
|
2009 |
Open access
317
266
|
2009 |
46
41
|
2009 |
9
6
|
2009 |
58
50
|
2009 |
96
64
|
2009 |
67
58
|
2009 |
21
18
|
2009 |
76
14
|
2009 |
11
10
|
2009 |
113
98
|
2009 |
Open access
159
78
|
2009 |
30
28
|
2008 |
107
96
|
2008 |
75
73
|
2008 |
21
20
|
2008 |
34
33
|
2008 |
37
33
|
2008 |
|
2008 |
26
22
|
2008 |
57
51
|
Year | Output |
---|---|
2012 |
Open access
|
2012 |
Open access
14
|
2012 |
Open access
2
|
Research
I am keen to work collaboratively with both established and aspiring researchers in any of these areas and am also happy to pursue funding support collaboratively to any appropriate funding agencies.
External engagement & recognition
Organisation | Country |
---|---|
4EN Research Institute, Seoul | KOREA, REPUBLIC OF (SOUTH) |
Aligarh Muslim University | INDIA |
Anadolu University | TURKEY |
Australian National University | AUSTRALIA |
Ayub Agricultural Research Institute | PAKISTAN |
Birla Institute of Technology | INDIA |
Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra | INDIA |
British Geological Survey | UNITED KINGDOM |
Chinese Academy of Forestry | CHINA |
Chinese Academy of Sciences | CHINA |
Chungnam National University | KOREA, REPUBLIC OF (SOUTH) |
Coal Center | KOREA, REPUBLIC OF (SOUTH) |
COMSATS Institute of Information Technology | PAKISTAN |
Comsats University Islamabad | PAKISTAN |
Ferdowsi University of Mashhad | IRAN |
Flinders University | AUSTRALIA |
Fujian Inspection and Research Institute for Product Quality | CHINA |
Fujian Normal University | CHINA |
Fujian Polytechnic of Information Technology | CHINA |
Government College University Faisalabad | PAKISTAN |
Griffith University | AUSTRALIA |
Guangzhou University | CHINA |
Gyeongnam National University of Science and Technology | KOREA, REPUBLIC OF (SOUTH) |
Gyeongsang National University | KOREA, REPUBLIC OF (SOUTH) |
Hamdard University | PAKISTAN |
Han-River Environment Research Center | KOREA, REPUBLIC OF (SOUTH) |
Hubei University of Technology | CHINA |
ICAR - Indian Institute of Soil Science | INDIA |
ICAR-Central Soil Salinity Research Institute | INDIA |
ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil Science | INDIA |
Imam Khomeini International University | IRAN |
International Water Management Institute | SRI LANKA |
Isfahan University of Technology | IRAN |
Jamia Hamdard | INDIA |
Jamia Millia Islamia University | INDIA |
Jiangxi University of Science and Technology | CHINA |
Jilin University | CHINA |
Kangwon National University | KOREA, REPUBLIC OF (SOUTH) |
King Saud University | SAUDI ARABIA |
Korea Rural Community Corporation | KOREA, REPUBLIC OF (SOUTH) |
Korea University | KOREA, REPUBLIC OF (SOUTH) |
Lancaster University | UNITED KINGDOM |
Lulea University of Technology | SWEDEN |
Luoyang Eco-Environmental Monitoring Center | CHINA |
Luoyang Institute of Science and Technology | CHINA |
Mahatma Gandhi Central University | INDIA |
Mine Reclamation Corporation | KOREA, REPUBLIC OF (SOUTH) |
Ministry of Science and Technology Iraq | IRAQ |
Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture | PAKISTAN |
Nanjing Forestry University | CHINA |
Nanjing Tech University | CHINA |
Nanjing University | CHINA |
Nanping Water and Soil Conservation Center | CHINA |
Nation Institute of Crop Science | KOREA, REPUBLIC OF (SOUTH) |
National Academy of Agricultural Science | KOREA, REPUBLIC OF (SOUTH) |
National Academy of Agricultural Sciences | KOREA, REPUBLIC OF (SOUTH) |
National Chung Hsing University | TAIWAN |
National Institute of Agricultural Sciences | UNITED STATES |
National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Wanju Korea | KOREA, REPUBLIC OF (SOUTH) |
National Institute of Environmental Research Korea | KOREA, REPUBLIC OF (SOUTH) |
Osaka Prefecture University | JAPAN |
Patna University | INDIA |
Polish Academy of Sciences | POLAND |
Punjab Agriculture Department | PAKISTAN |
Queensland University of Technology | AUSTRALIA |
Shahed University | IRAN |
South China University of Technology | CHINA |
Technical University of Berlin | GERMANY |
Tottori University | JAPAN |
United States Environmental Protection Agency | UNITED STATES |
University at Qatar | QATAR |
University of Adelaide | AUSTRALIA |
University of Agriculture | PAKISTAN |
University of Agriculture Faisalabad | PAKISTAN |
University of Alberta | CANADA |
University of Auckland | NEW ZEALAND |
University of Burdwan | INDIA |
University of Dhaka | BANGLADESH |
University of Gondar | ETHIOPIA |
University of Guilan | IRAN |
University of Guyana | GUYANA |
University of Kufa | IRAQ |
University of Melbourne | AUSTRALIA |
University of New South Wales | AUSTRALIA |
University of Nottingham | UNITED KINGDOM |
University of Pisa | ITALY |
University of Seoul | KOREA, REPUBLIC OF (SOUTH) |
University of Sheffield | UNITED KINGDOM |
University of South Australia | AUSTRALIA |
University of Sydney | AUSTRALIA |
University of Western Australia | AUSTRALIA |
Univesity of Science and Technology of China | CHINA |
Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan | IRAN |
Xi'an Jiaotong University | CHINA |
Yezin Agricultural University | MYANMAR |
Zhejiang Gongshang University | CHINA |
Zhejiang Ocean University | CHINA |
Zhejiang University | CHINA |
Zijin Mining and Metallurgy Research Institute | CHINA |
External engagement & recognition
Engagement/recognition | Year |
---|---|
Honorary ProfessorUNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON |
2025 |
Honorary ProfessorUNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON |
2024 |
Honorary ProfessorUNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON |
2023 |
Honorary ProfessorUNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON |
2022 |
Adjunct Senior Research FellowThe Australian National University |
2018 |
Advisory Board MemberUniversity of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan |
2018 |
ARC Expert Reviewer, Discovery roundAustralian Research Council (ARC) |
2018 |
Future FellowshipAustralian Research Council (ARC) |
2018 |
MemberRoyal Australian Chemical Institute |
2018 |
Technical Expert, Tenure Track Review PanelUniversity of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan |
2018 |
Adjunct Senior Research FellowThe Australian National University |
2017 |
ARC Expert Reviewer, Discovery roundAustralian Research Council (ARC) |
2017 |
Future FellowshipAustralian Research Council (ARC) |
2017 |
MemberRoyal Australian Chemical Institute |
2017 |
MemberThe Australian Nanotechnology Network |
2017 |
Adjunct Senior Research FellowThe Australian National University |
2016 |
ARC Expert Reviewer, Discovery roundAustralian Research Council (ARC) |
2016 |
Future FellowshipAustralian Research Council (ARC) |
2016 |
MemberRoyal Australian Chemical Institute |
2016 |
Adjunct Senior Research FellowThe Australian National University |
2015 |
ARC Expert Reviewer, Discovery, DECRA and Future Fellowship roundsAustralian Research Council (ARC) |
2015 |
Future FellowshipAustralian Research Council (ARC) |
2015 |
MemberRoyal Australian Chemical Institute |
2015 |
Adjunct Senior Research FellowThe Australian National University |
2014 |
ARC Expert Reviewer, Discovery, DECRA and Future Fellowship roundsAustralian Research Council (ARC) |
2014 |
Future FellowshipAustralian Research Council (ARC) |
2014 |
MemberRoyal Australian Chemical Institute |
2014 |
Adjunct Senior Research FellowThe Australian National University |
2013 |
ARC Expert Reviewer, Discovery, DECRA and Future Fellowship roundsAustralian Research Council (ARC) |
2013 |
Future FellowshipAustralian Research Council (ARC) |
2013 |
MemberRoyal Australian Chemical Institute |
2013 |
MemberRoyal Australian Chemical Institute |
2012 |
MemberRoyal Australian Chemical Institute |
2011 |
MemberRoyal Australian Chemical Institute |
2010 |
Reviewer: Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science, Ecological Engineering, Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, Environmental Chemistry, Environmental and Experimental Botany, Environmental Geochemistry and Health, Environmental Management, Environmental Pollution, Environmental Science and Technology, International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry, Journal of Environmental Hazards, Journal of Environmental Management, Journal of Environmental Quality, Journal of Hazardous Materials, Pedosphere, Plant Physiology, Polish Journal of Chemical Technology, Science of the Total Environment, Soil Research.
Teaching & student supervision
Teaching & student supervision
Supervisions from 2010 shown
Thesis title | Student status |
---|---|
110454 - Potable Water Production through Non-contact Solar Evaporation | Current |
Advanced interfacial solar steam generation based solar-thermal desalination system | Current |
Design and fabrication of highly efficient photothermal evaporator for sustainable interfacial solar evaporation | Current |
Renewable electricity power generation from solar steam generation processes | Current |
The link of environmental chemicals in the pathogenesis and in the increasing incidence of prostate cancer in Australia | Current |
Design and fabrication of highly efficient 3D photothermal evaporators for solar steam generation | Completed |
Design and fabrication of highly efficient photothermal evaporators for portable solar-steam generation systems | Completed |
Development of clay-graphene oxide nanocomposite adsorbents for the removal of heavy metals in wastewater | Completed |
Energy management in interfacial solar evaporation systems | Completed |
Enhanced degradation of persistent organic pollutants by nanoscale zero-valent iron | Completed |
Green synthesis of novel metal oxide-biopolymer nanocomposites for wastewater treatment | Completed |
Heavy metal accumulation and bioaccessibility in traditional Chinese medicines | Completed |
Interactions of engineered nanoparticles with economically important food crops | Completed |
Interfacial solar driven evaporation for soil remediation | Completed |
Reflectance spectroscopy and spatial distribution modelling of soil lead concentrations and implications for human heath | Completed |