Prof PBC Forbes

Tel           +27 (0)12 420-5426

Email       [email protected]

Office       NS1 Room 2-18

Position   Full Professor and Rand Water Research Chair
                  

Academic qualifications    PhD (Chemistry); Pr Sci Nat, FRSC, FSACI

NRF Rating    C1

Professor of Environmental Chemistry - Job Profile (RCS, A Future in chemistry)
 

Teaching

Analytical chemistry modules at 2^nd, 3^rd and Honours level.

Modules: CMY 283, CMY 383 and CMY 707.

Research interests

My research focuses on analytical chemistry involving the development of novel sampling and analytical methods for environmental pollutants, including denuder based sampling techniques, biomonitors, and quantum dot based fluorescence sensors. 

Please visit our Environmental Monitoring and Sensing research group website.

Awards over the past five years

2015/2016: Featured in the SPIE “Women in Optics” year planner.

2016: Awarded the Teaching Excellence and Innovation Laureate award by the University of Pretoria.

2019: ChromSA Chromatographer of the Year award in recognition of research excellence.

2020: Fellow of the South African Chemical Institute for excellence and leadership in the areas of both the profession, education and management of chemistry, as well as volunteer service to the chemical community.

2020: Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry.

2021: Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (ET&C) Exceptional Reviewer of 2021. Chosen as one of 15 reviewers to receive this recognition out of over 600 ET&C reviewers based on high-quality timely reviews during 2021.

Publications

For all publications, please click here: Google Scholar P.B.C. Forbes
 

Recent Books and book chapters

Patricia B.C. Forbes, Chapter 19: Novel Approaches to Environmental Monitoring, in Emerging Trends in Chemical Sciences, Ponnadurai Ramasami, Minu G. Bhowon, Sabina J. Laulloo and Henri L.K. Wah (Eds) (2018), 345-354, Springer, ISBN: 978-3-319-60407-7; DOI 978-3-319-60408-4_19

Emil Roduner, Tjaart Krüger, Patricia Forbes and Katharina Kress, Optical Spectroscopy: Fundamentals and Advanced Applications (2019), World Scientific, London. ISBN: 978-1-78634-610-0

Patricia Forbes, Leandri van der Wat and Johanna Strumpher, Chapter 2: Comparative perspectives on extraction methods for organic metabolites and pollutants from lichens, in Lichen Derived Products: Extraction and Applications, Mohd Yusuf (Ed), (2020), Wiley (Scrivener Publishing), 27-74, ISBN: 978-1-119-59171-9.

Montaseri H., Abrahamse H., Forbes P.B.C., Fluorescence Sensing with Molecularly Imprinted Polymer-Capped Quantum Dots, in Molecularly Imprinted Polymers: Methods and Protocols, part of Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 2359, Antonio Martín-Esteban (Ed), (2021), Humana, New York, 183-194, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-1629-1_16, Print ISBN: 978-1-0716-1628-4, Online ISBN: 978-1-0716-1629-1.

Patricia Forbes, Yvette Naudé, Johanna Strumpher, Chapter 8: Ongoing Use and Monitoring of DDT in South Africa, in Persistent Organic Pollutants in the Environment, Narendra Kumar and Vertika Shukla (Eds), (2021), CRC Press, https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003053170, eBook ISBN: 9781003053170.

Recent Journal articles

Adedapo O. Adeola and Patricia B.C. Forbes, Assessment of reusable graphene wool adsorbent for the simultaneous removal of selected 2-6 ringed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from aqueous solution, Environmental Technology, 2022, 43 (8), 1255-1268, DOI:10.1080/09593330.2020.1824024

Genna-Leigh Geldenhuys, Mark Wattus and Patricia Belinda Crosby Forbes, Gas and particle phase polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon emission factors from a diesel vehicle engine: Effect of operating modes in a developing country context, Atmospheric Environment X, 2022, 13, 100158, 1-13, DOI:10.1016/j.aeaoa.2022.100158.

Adedapo O. Adeola and Patricia B.C. Forbes, Antiretroviral Drugs in African Surface Waters: Prevalence, Analysis, and Potential Remediation, Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 2022, 41(2), 247-262, DOI: 10.1002/etc.5127.

Heiko Schoenfuss, Catherine Propper, Alan Kolok and Patricia Forbes, Terra (Aqua) Incognita: Knowledge Gaps in Global Ecotoxicology, ET&C Points of Reference, Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 2022, 41(2), 245-246, DOI: 10.1002/etc.5159.

Kapambwe P. Kabwe, Sifiso A. Nsibande, Yolandy Lemmer, Lynne A. Pilcher, and Patricia B.C. Forbes, Synthesis and characterisation of quantum dots coupled to mycolic acids as a water-soluble fluorescent probe for potential lateral flow detection of antibodies and diagnosis of tuberculosis, Luminescence, 2022, 37, 278-289, DOI: 10.1002/bio.4170.

V. Geitner, J. Orasche, G.C. Dragan, G. Jakobi, J. Schnelle-Kreis, G.-L. Geldenhuys, P.B.C. Forbes, E.W. Karg, D. Breuer, and R. Zimmermann, Feasibility study of portable sampling techniques for combustion related airborne particulates in a platinum mine, Gefahrstoffe, 2021, 81 (9-10), 386-396.

G.J. Brown, P.B.C. Forbes, J.G. Myburgh and J.O. Nöthling, A comparison of calcium and phosphorus in components of fertile and size-matched unbanded Nile crocodile eggs, African Journal of Herpetology, 2021, 70 (2), 139-154, DOI: 10.1080/21564574.2021.1980119.

Adedapo O. Adeola, Gugu Kubheka, Evans M. N. Chirwa and Patricia B.C. Forbes, Facile synthesis of graphene wool doped with oleylamine-capped silver nanoparticles (GW-αAgNPs) for water treatment applications, Applied Water Science, 2021, 11:172, DOI:10.1007/s13201-021-01493-3 also available at https://rdcu.be/cza23

Genna-Leigh Geldenhuys, Yvonne Mason, George Dragan, Ralf Zimmermann, and Patricia Forbes, A novel graphene wool gas adsorbent for volatile and semi volatile organic compounds, ACS Omega, 2021, 6, 24765-24776, DOI:10.1021/acsomega.1c03595.

Adedapo Adeola, Jurgens de Lange and Patricia B.C. Forbes, Adsorption of antiretroviral drugs, efavirenz and nevirapine from aqueous solution by graphene wool: kinetic, equilibrium, thermodynamic and computational studies, Applied Surface Science Advances, 2021, 6: 100157, DOI:10.1016/j.apsadv.2021.100157  

Paul Myburgh, Gerdus Kemp and Patricia Forbes, Selective solid-phase extraction using molecularly imprinted polymers for the analysis of target pesticides in cannabis bud, South African Journal of Chemistry, 2021, 75, 142-149. DOI: 10.17159/0379-4350/2021/v75a17

Patricia Forbes, Green sample preparation methods in the environmental monitoring of aquatic organic pollutants, Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry, 2021, 31: 100500, DOI: 10.1016/j.cogsc.2021.100500

Written upon invitation for a Themed Issue on Green Analytical Chemistry.

Oluwasesan Adegoke, Hanieh Montaseri, Sifiso Nsibande and Patricia B.C. Forbes, Organometallic synthesis, structural and optical properties of CdSe quantum dots passivated with ternary AgZnS alloyed shell, Journal of Luminescence, 2021, 235, 118049, DOI: 10.1016/j.jlumin.2021.118049

Adedapo O. Adeola and Patricia B.C. Forbes, Influence of natural organic matter fractions on PAH sorption by stream sediments and a synthetic graphene wool adsorbent, Environmental Technology and Innovation, 2021, 21, 101202, 1-15, DOI: 10.1016/j.eti.2020.101202

Adedapo O. Adeola and Patricia B.C. Forbes, Advances in water treatment technologies for removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: Existing concepts, emerging trends, and future prospects, Water Environment Research, 2021, 93, 343-359, DOI: 10.1002/wer.1420

This paper was selected as the Editor’s Choice.

George Dragan, Vesta Kohlmeier, Juergen Orasche, Juergen Schnelle-Kreis, Patricia Forbes, Dietmar Breuer, Ralf Zimmermann, Development of a personal aerosol sampler for monitoring the particle-vapour fractionation of SVOCs in workplaces, Annals of Work Exposures and Health, 2020, 64:8, 903-908, DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxaa059

Adedapo O. Adeola and Patricia B.C. Forbes, Assessment of reusable graphene wool adsorbent for the simultaneous removal of selected 2-6 ringed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from aqueous solution, Environmental Technology, 2020, 1-14, DOI:10.1080/09593330.2020.1824024

Loreley K. Cairns and Patricia B.C. Forbes, Insights into the yellowing of drying oils using fluorescence spectroscopy, Heritage Science, 2020, 8:59, 1-11, DOI: 10.1186/s40494-020-00403-1

Yvonne C. Mason, Genna-Leigh Schoonraad, Jürgen Orasche, Christoph Bisig, Gert Jakobi, Ralf Zimmermann, Patricia B.C. Forbes, Comparative sampling of gas phase volatile and semi-volatile organic fuel emissions from a combustion aerosol standard system, Environmental Technology and Innovation, 2020, 19, 100945, 1-12, DOI: 10.1016/j.eti.2020.100945

Brown G.J., Forbes P.B.C., Myburgh J.G., Nöthling J.O., Calcium and phosphorus in unbanded eggs of the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus), Aquaculture Research, 2020, 51 (8), 3403-3411, DOI: 10.1111/are.14675

Amanda Mahlangu, Paul Schaberg, Mark Wattrus, Patricia Forbes, Characterisation of semi-volatile hydrocarbon emissions from diesel engines, Clean Air Journal, 2020, 30(1), 1-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.17159/caj/2020/30/1.7672

Sifiso Nsibande and Patricia Forbes, Development of a turn-on graphene quantum dot-based fluorescence probe for sensing of pyrene in water, RSC Advances, 2020, 10, 12119-12128, DOI: 10.1039/c9ra10153e

E.M. Kroukamp, T.W. Godeto, P.B.C. Forbes, Distribution patterns of arsenic species in a lichen biomonitor, Chemosphere, 2020, 250, 126199 (pp 1-9), DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.126199

Chiedza F. Munyeza, Aloys M. Osano, Justin K. Maghanga, Patricia B.C Forbes, Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon gaseous emissions from household cooking devices: A Kenyan case study, Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 2020, 39 (3), 538-547, DOI: 10.1002/etc.4648

Osano, A.; Maghanga, J.; Munyeza, C.F; Chaka, B.; Olal, W. and Forbes, P.B.C., Insights into household fuel use in Kenyan communities, Sustainable Cities and Societies, 2020, 55, 102039 (pp 1-10). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2020.102039.

P.B.C. Forbes, Atmospheric Chemistry Analysis: A Review, Analytical Chemistry, 2020, 92, 455-472, DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b04623.

Written upon invitation by the American Chemical Society (ACS) for a Special Issue: Fundamental and Applied Reviews in Analytical Chemistry 2020.

B.K. Munjanja, Y. Naudé and P.B.C. Forbes, A review of sampling approaches to off-target pesticide deposition, Trends in Environmental Analytical Chemistry, 2020, 25, e00075, 1-10 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.teac.2019.e00075

Genna-Leigh Schoonraad, Moshawe Jack Madito, Ncholu Manyala and Patricia Forbes, Synthesis and optimisation of a novel graphene wool material by atmospheric pressure chemical vapour deposition, Journal of Materials Science, 2020, 55, 545-564  https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-019-03948-0

Loreley Cairns and Patricia Forbes, Fluoressensiestudies van bindmiddels wat in kunswerke gebruik word, Suid-Afrikaanse Tydskrif vir Natuurwetenskap en Tegnologie, 2019, 38(1), 1-2 DOI: 10.36303/SATNT.2019.38.1.760

Adedapo O. Adeola and Patricia B.C. Forbes, Optimisation of the sorption of selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by regenerable graphene wool, Water Science and Technology, 2019, 80 (10), 1931-1943, DOI: 10.2166/wst.2020.011

E.M. Kroukamp, T.W. Godeto, P.B.C. Forbes, Optimized extraction of inorganic arsenic species from a foliose lichen biomonitor, Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2019, 26(29), 29896-29907, DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-06073-2.

C.F. Munyeza, E.R. Rohwer and P.B.C. Forbes, A review of monitoring of airborne polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: An African perspective, Trends in Environmental Analytical Chemistry, 2019, 24, e00070, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.teac.2019.e00070.

Hanieh Montaseri, Oluwasesan Adegoke and Patricia B.C. Forbes, Development of a thiol-capped core/shell quantum dot sensor for acetaminophen, South African Journal of Chemistry, 2019, 72, 108-117, DOI: https://doi.org/10.17159/0379-4350/2019/v72a14.

Sifiso Nsibande, Hanieh Montaseri and Patricia Forbes, Advances in the application of nanomaterial-based sensors for detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in aquatic systems, Trends in Analytical Chemistry, 2019, 115, 52-59, DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2019.03.029 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trac.2019.03.029).

Leandri van der Wat and Patricia Forbes, Comparison of extraction techniques for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from lichen biomonitors, Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2019, 26, 11179-11190, DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-04587-3.

This paper was featured on the Restek website: https://www.restek.com/news/view/?p=2830

Brown G.J., Forbes P.B.C., Myburgh J.G., Nöthling J.O., Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus): Egg mass relative to egg component mass in unbanded and fertile eggs, Aquaculture, 2019, 505, 423-430 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2019.03.006.

Sifiso A. Nsibande and Patricia B.C. Forbes, Development of a quantum dot molecularly imprinted polymer sensor for fluorescence detection of atrazine, Luminescence, 2019, 34, 480-488, DOI: 10.1002/bio.3620 (https://doi.org/10.1002/bio.3620). Special Issue Article.

Chiedza F. Munyeza, Vesta Kohlmeier, George C. Dragan, Erwin W. Karg, Egmont R. Rohwer, Ralf Zimmermann, Patricia B.C. Forbes, Characterisation of particle collection and transmission in a polydimethylsiloxane based denuder sampler, Journal of Aerosol Science, 2019, 130, 22-31.

Oluwasesan Adegoke, Hanieh Montaseri, Sifiso Nsibande and Patricia B.C. Forbes, Passivating effect of ternary alloyed AgZnSe shell layer on the structural and luminescent properties of CdS quantum dots, Materials Science in Semiconductor Processing, 2019, 90, 162-170.

H. Montaseri and P.B.C. Forbes, Molecularly imprinted polymer coated quantum dots for fluorescence sensing of acetaminophen, Materials Today Communications, 2018, 17, 480-492.

H. Montaseri and P.B.C. Forbes, Analytical techniques for the determination of acetaminophen: A review, Trends in Analytical Chemistry, 2018, 108, 122-134.

H. Montaseri and P.B.C. Forbes, A triclosan turn-ON fluorescence sensor based on thiol-capped core/shell quantum dots, Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 2018, 204, 370-379.

Patricia Forbes, Commentary: Continuous air monitoring results laid bare: do we know what we know? The Clean Air Journal, 2018, 28(1), 7.

C.F. Munyeza, O. Dikale, E.R. Rohwer and P.B.C. Forbes, Development and optimization of a plunger assisted solvent extraction method for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons sampled onto multi-channel silicone rubber traps, Journal of Chromatography A, 2018, 1555, 20-29.

E.M. Kroukamp, T. W. Godeto and P.B.C. Forbes, Comparison of sample preparation procedures on metal(loid) fractionation patterns in lichens, Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 2017, 189, 451, DOI 10.1007/s10661-017-6155-4.

Oluwasesan Adegoke, Hanieh Montaseri, Sifiso Nsibande and Patricia B.C. Forbes, Alloyed quaternary/binary core/shell quantum dot-graphene oxide nanocomposite: Preparation, characterization and application as a fluorescence “switch ON” probe for environmental pollutants, Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2017, 720, 70-78.

Oluwasesan Adegoke, Tebello Nyokong and Patricia B.C. Forbes, Photophysical properties of a series of alloyed and non-alloyed water-soluble L-cysteine-capped core quantum dots, Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2017, 695, 1354-1361.

V. Kohlmeier, G.C. Dragan, E.W. Karg, J. Schnelle-Kreis, D. Breuer, P.B.C. Forbes, E.R. Rohwer and R. Zimmermann, Multi-channel silicone rubber traps as denuders for gas-particle partitioning of aerosols from semi-volatile organic compounds, Environmental Science Processes and Impacts, 2017, 19, 676-686.

Tafadzwa Makonese, Daniel M. Masekameni, Harold J. Annegarn and Patricia B. C. Forbes, Emission Factors of Domestic Coal-Burning Braziers, South African Journal of Science, 2017, 113 (3/4), 1-11.

F. Petersen, J.M. Dabrowski and P.B.C. Forbes, Identifying potential surface water sampling sites for emerging chemical pollutants in Gauteng Province, South Africa, WaterSA, 2017, 43(1), 153-165.

Recent Conference proceedings

Invited lectures

Guest presentations: P. Forbes, “An overview of nanoparticle analysis”, PerkinElmer Innovation Tour, Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town, 7-9 March 2017.

Guest lecture: P. Forbes, “The determination of pesticide spray drift for environmental health risk assessments”, Public Health Seminar, School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Pretoria, 26 May 2017.

Guest lecture: P. Forbes, “Addressing the challenges of monitoring organic environmental pollutants", Laboratory Services Branch of the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, Toronto Canada, 2 June 2017.

Guest lecture: P.B.C. Forbes, Invited Seminar, “Lichen biomonitors for atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons”, 23 June 2017, Cooperation Group “Comprehensive Molecular Analytics” Helmholtz Zentrum München – German Research Center for Environmental Health GmbH.

Guest presentation: Chemistry demonstration to Grade 7 learners at DSG Pretoria School, 4 August 2017, Pretoria.

Invited talk: P.B.C. Forbes, “Promoting gender awareness and fairness in science”, Women in Science Seminar, NAS Anti-Discrimination Week, 31 August 2017, University of Pretoria, South Africa.

Invited presentation: P.B.C. Forbes, Postgraduate Supervision Workshop (designed, facilitated and presented the workshop upon invitation by the Department of Research and Innovation), 13 October 2017, University of Pretoria, South Africa.

Plenary lecture: P.B.C. Forbes, “The sample preparation conundrum”, 2018 SACI Postgraduate Colloquium, 2 February 2018, Durban University of Technology, Durban.

Plenary lecture: Patricia Forbes, Oluwasesan Adegoke, Hanieh Montaseri and Sifiso Nsibande, “Quantum dot based photonic sensor materials for emerging chemical pollutants in water”, International Symposium on Luminescence Spectrometry (ISLS), 19-22 June 2018, Brest, France.

Guest speaker: P.B.C. Forbes, “Women in science: A woman in chemistry”, NATHouse Women in Science event, 18 August 2018, University of Pretoria.

Keynote address: Patricia Forbes, Oluwasesan Adegoke, Hanieh Montaseri and Sifiso Nsibande, “Seeing the invisible: Fluorescence sensors for detecting emerging chemical pollutants in water”, SACI National Convention 2018, 2-7 December 2018, CSIR ICC, Pretoria.

Invited talk: Patricia Forbes, Genna-Leigh Schoonraad, Chiedza Munyeza and Yvonne Wojno, “Alternative approaches to trace organic air pollutant sampling", 63rd International Conference on Analytical Sciences and Spectroscopy, 25-28 June 2019, Montreal, Canada. 

Guest lecture: P. Forbes, “Environmental awareness and research”, Lecture to first year chemistry students, Maasai Mara University, Kenya, 15 October 2019.

Guest lecture: P. Forbes, “Alternative approaches to trace organic air pollutant sampling”, Faculty Seminar, Maasai Mara University, Kenya, 17 October 2019.

Guest lecture: S. Nsibande and P. Forbes, “Development of a quantum dot molecularly imprinted polymer sensor for fluorescence detection of atrazine”, Faculty Seminar, Maasai Mara University, Kenya, 17 October 2019.

Invited talk: Patricia Forbes, Oluwasesan Adegoke, Sifiso Nsibande and Hanieh Montaseri, “Novel nanomaterial-based fluorescence sensors for aquatic pollutants", Analytical and Bioanalytical Methods Conference (Analyticon 2020), 5-7 November 2020, San Francisco, USA (online conference).

Guest panel member at the IUPAC Global Women’s Breakfast 2021 on “Empowering diversity in science”, 9 February 2021, online.

Guest lecture: Patricia Forbes, A decade of denuders: How chromatography can assist in reducing human health impacts of pollution, ChromSA Chromatographer of the Year 2019 event, 12 March 2021, online.

Keynote lecture: Patricia Forbes, Adapting to the new normal in the academic environment, 6th Maasai Mara University International Conference, 28-30 June 2021, online.

Guest panel member: Reaching beyond the glass ceiling, Third Virtual Conservations@NAS, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, 19 August 2021, online and available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kO-DB0EeCrY

Inaugural address: Patricia Forbes, Understanding our environment one molecule at a time, University of Pretoria, 22 September 2021, online and available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YUEpks0320

Oral presentations

Kroukamp EM, Godeto TG, Forbes PBC. “Optimized speciation of 5 arsenic species using anion exchange HPLC-ICP-MS and its real life application in a lichen biomonitor of air pollution”, European Winter Plasma 2017 Conference, 19-24 February 2017, St Anton Am Arlberg, Austria.

Patricia Forbes, “Unravelling phase partitioning of semi-volatile organic air pollutants by means of denuders”, Canadian Society for Chemistry 2017 Conference, 28 May to 1 June 2017, Toronto, Canada.

Chiedza Munyeza, Egmont Rohwer and Patricia Forbes, “Development and Optimization of the Plunger Assisted Solvent Extraction (PASE) method for multi-channel silicone rubber traps”, Airmon Conference, 11-15 June 2017, Dresden, Germany.

Nsibande, S.A. and Forbes, P.B.C., “Synthesis of graphene quantum dots and their application as fluorescence sensors for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons”, 7th International Conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in Africa, 22-25 April 2018, Salt Rock, KwaZulu Natal.

J. Orasche, V. Kohlmeier, G.C. Dragan, G. Jakobi, P. Forbes and R. Zimmermann, “Sampling and Chemical Characterization of Particulate Matter in a Platinum Mine”, DUST Conference 2018, 29-31 May 2018, Bari, Italy.

Nsibande, S.A. and Forbes, P.B.C. “Development of a quantum dot molecularly imprinted polymer sensor for fluorescence detection of atrazine”, International Symposium on Luminescence Spectrometry (ISLS), 19-22 June 2018, Brest, France.

G Schoonraad, GC Dragan, J Orasche, V Kohlmeier, R Zimmermann, ER Rohwer, C Pretorius, PBC Forbes, “Multi-channel polydimethylsiloxane denuder devices for the determination of gas and particulate phase polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in underground mines”, Analitika 2018 Conference, 22-25 July 2018, Limpopo, South Africa.

Genna-Leigh Schoonraad was awarded the second best student oral presentation prize by ChromSA.

R Zimmermann, J Schnelle-Kreis, J Orasche, V Kohlmeier, G Dragan, E Rohwer, G-L Schoonraad, P Forbes, J Schade, J Passig, T Adam, “Innovative analytical approaches for analysis of ambient air well as emission- and workplace-aerosols”, Analitika 2018 Conference, 22-25 July 2018, Limpopo, South Africa.

H Montaseri, PBC Forbes, “A novel fluorescence sensor for acetaminophen”, Analitika 2018 Conference, 22-25 July 2018, Limpopo, South Africa.

K.N. Mashale, Y. Naudé, J.M. Dabrowski and P.B.C. Forbes, “Monitoring of pesticide concentrations in South African aquatic systems through the use of a Chemcatcher passive sampler”, SACI National Convention 2018, 2-7 December 2018, CSIR ICC, Pretoria.

AS Mahlangu, PW Schaberg, MC Wattrus, and PBC Forbes, “Characterisation of semi-volatile hydrocarbon emissions from diesel engines”, 2019 Conference of the National Association for Clean Air, 3-4 October 2019, Stellenbosch, South Africa. Conference proceedings ISBN:978-0-620-83821-4.

Amanda Mahlangu was awarded the best student paper prize for her presentation by NACA and Eskom.

Sifiso Nsibande and Patricia Forbes, “Development of a quantum dot molecularly imprinted polymer sensor for fluorescence detection of atrazine“, Nanoscience’s Young Researcher’s Symposium, 12 November 2019, Future Africa, University of Pretoria, Pretoria.

Sifiso Nsibande was awarded the 3^rd place PhD student prize for his presentation.

Loreley Cairns and Patricia Forbes, "Insights into the yellowing of drying oils using fluorescence spectroscopy", Young Spectroscopist/Mass Spectrometrist 2019 Symposium, 29 November 2019, Midrand, Johannesburg.

Loreley Cairns was the Regional Winner of this event.

A. Kritzinger, V. Rodríguez-Fajardo, S.A. Nsibande, A. Forbes and P.B.C. Forbes, “Trapping quantum dot-tagged beads with an optical tweezer”, Flash talk at The Royal Society of Chemistry and The South African Chemical Institute's Young Chemists’ Symposium 2021, 8-9 July 2021, online.

Ané won second prize for the best flash talk in the MSc category.

A. Kritzinger, V. Rodríguez-Fajardo, S.A. Nsibande, A. Forbes and P.B.C. Forbes, “Fluorescence spectroscopy of quantum dots in an optical tweezer”, 2021 annual conference of the South African Institute of Physics, 26-30 July 2021, online.

Ané won the prize for the best MSc presentation in the Photonics Division.

Patricia Forbes, “Adapting to the new normal in the academic environment: Through the lens of undergraduate analytical chemistry”, 7^th Flexible Futures Conference 2021, 26 & 27 August 2021, online.

A. Kritzinger, V. Rodríguez-Fajardo, P.B.C. Forbes and A. Forbes, “Vectorial flat-top beams for optical trapping”, 2021 OSA-SA Photonics Conference, 19-21 September 2021, Stellenbosch.

Adedapo O. Adeola, Gugu Kubheka, Evans M. N. Chirwa, Patricia B. C. Forbes, “Graphene wool-silver nanoparticle composite as an adsorbent and antibacterial agent for water treatment applications”, 2nd Postdoctoral Research Conference of Southern Africa, 10-12 November 2021, Stellenbosch University, online.

Poster presentations

Eve Kroukamp, Taddese Godeto & Patricia Forbes, “Sample preparation strategies for the determination of metal(loid) fractionation patterns in lichen air biomonitors”, Canadian Society for Chemistry 2017 Conference, 28 May - 1 June 2017, Toronto, Canada.

Hanieh Montaseri and Patricia Forbes, “Synthesis and characterization of L-cysteine capped CdSe/ZnS quantum dots coated with a molecularly imprinted polymer”, SACI Inorganic 2017 Conference, 25-29 June 2017, Hermanus, South Africa.

Sifiso Nsibande and Patricia Forbes, “Preparation of graphene quantum dots for fluorescence sensing of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons”, SACI Inorganic 2017 Conference, 25-29 June 2017, Hermanus, South Africa.

Hanieh Montaseri and Patricia Forbes, “Synthesis and characterization of L-cysteine capped CdSe/ZnS quantum dots coated with a molecularly imprinted polymer”, South African Nanotechnology Initiative, 7^th Annual Gauteng Nanosciences Young Researchers’ Symposium, 20 October 2017, Tshwane University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.

Hanieh Montaseri and Patricia Forbes, “Fluorescence sensor probe for the detection of acetaminophen using L-cysteine CdSe/ZnS quantum dots and molecular imprinted polymer@quantum dots”, IEEE Sensors 2017, 29 October – 1 November 2017, Glasgow, Scotland.

V. Kohlmeier, G. C. Dragan, E. Karg, J. Schnelle-Kreis, D. Breuer, P. B. C. Forbes, E. R. Rohwer, R. Zimmermann, “The suitability of multi-channel silicone rubber traps for particle-vapour separation of aerosolised semi-volatile organic compounds”, Airmon Conference, 11-15 June 2017, Dresden, Germany.

Schoonraad G., Pretorius C. and Forbes P.B.C., “Application of a multi-channel polydimethylsiloxane denuder device for the determination of PAHs in diesel exhaust emissions”, 42nd International Symposium on Capillary Chromatography and 15th GCxGC Symposium, 14-19 May 2018, Riva Del Garda, Italy.

KN Mashale, Y Naudé, JM Dabrowski, PBC Forbes, “Calibration of the Chemcatcher passive sampler for the monitoring of pesticide concentrations in South African aquatic systems”, Analitika 2018 Conference, 22-25 July 2018, Limpopo, South Africa.

SA Nsibande and PBC Forbes, “Development of a quantum dot fluorescence sensor for detection of atrazine”, Analitika 2018 Conference, 22-25 July 2018, Limpopo, South Africa.

BK Munjanja, Y Naude, J Dabrowski, E Van de Walt, PBC Forbes, “Comparison of pesticide deposition samplers for spray drift determination: A case study of atrazine”, Analitika 2018 Conference, 22-25 July 2018, Limpopo, South Africa.

AS Mahlangu, G Schoonraad, P Schaberg, MC Wattrus, C Munyeza, C Pretorius, PBC Forbes, “Hydrocarbon emissions from diesel engines under different load conditions”, Analitika 2018 Conference, 22-25 July 2018, Limpopo, South Africa.

CF Munyeza, V Kohlmeier, GC Dragan, EW Karg, ER Rohwer, R Zimmermann, PBC Forbes, “Particle collection and transmission efficiencies in denuder samplers“, Analitika 2018 Conference, 22-25 July 2018, Limpopo, South Africa.

Cairns, LK. and Forbes, P., “Fluoressensie studies vir die analise van bindmiddels gebruik in kunswerke”,  SAAWK Studentesimposium in die Natuurwetenskappe,  25-26 October 2018, SA Akademie Building, Pretoria.

Loreley won the prize for the best Afrikaans second language student presentation.

Cairns, LK. and Forbes, P., “Exploring the surface of paintings using fluorescence spectroscopy”, Advanced Mass Spectrometry Applied to Cultural Heritage Summer School, 17- 21 June 2019, University of Bordeaux, France.

Genna-Leigh Schoonraad, Jack Madito, Yvonne Wojno, Ncholu Manyala, George C. Dragan, Ralf Zimmermann and Patricia Forbes, “Synthesis and characterisation of a novel graphene wool sampler for organic air pollutants", 63rd International Conference on Analytical Sciences and Spectroscopy, 25-28 June 2019, Montreal, Canada. 

Genna-Leigh Schoonraad was awarded the best student poster prize.

Kritzinger A, Rodrígues-Fajardo V, Nsibande SA, Forbes A and Forbes PBC, “Fluoressensie-Spektroskopie van Kwantumkol Nanodeeltjies in ‘n Optiese Lokval”, SAAWK Studentesimposium in die Natuurwetenskappe, 31 October – 1 November 2019, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein.

Ané won the prize for the best poster presentation at the conference. 

Kapambwe Kabwe, Alma Truyts, Jan Verschoor, Yolanda Lemmer, Lynne Pilcher and Patricia Forbes, “Synthesis and characterisation of quantum dots coupled with mycolic acid as a fluorescent probe for detection of antibodies and diagnosis of tuberculosis“, Nanoscience’s Young Researcher’s Symposium, 12 November 2019, Future Africa, University of Pretoria, Pretoria.

Jürgen Orasche, P. Tiitta, G. Jakobi, P. Yli-Pirilä, M. Kortelainen, R. Zimmermann, P. Forbes and O. Sippula, “Formation of secondary aerosols related to sugar cane harvesting using field fires“, European Aerosol Conference 2020, 31 August – 4 September 2020, Aachen, Germany.

Kritzinger A., Rodríguez-Fajardo V., Nsibande S.A., Forbes A. and Forbes P.B.C., “Fluorescence spectroscopy of CdSe/ZnS core/shell quantum dots in an optical tweezer”, Royal Society of Chemistry Chemical Nanosciences and Nanotechnology Early Career Virtual Poster Symposium, 24 March 2021.

Tyhali A., Forbes P.B.C., "Comparison of extraction techniques for the analysis of N-nitrosamines in South African waters", Green Chemistry Postgraduate Summer School, 5-9 July 2021, online.

Adedapo O. Adeola, Patricia B.C. Forbes, “Regenerable graphene wool for the removal of selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from contaminated water”, 2nd Commonwealth Chemistry Posters - Building Networks to Address the Goals, 30 September - 1 October 2021, United Kingdom, online.

Adedapo Adeola was awarded the best poster prize in the Water and Environmental Chemistry theme

Collaborations

Other research institutions (national and international)

• Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen & University of Rostock, Germany
• Maasai Mara University, Kenya
• Rhodes University, South Africa
• University of Johannesburg, South Africa
• CSIR, South Africa

Industry and Government

• Rand Water
• South African Weather Service
• Mine Health and Safety Council
• Platmines, South Africa
• Impala Platinum (Pty) Ltd
• Department of Water Affairs and Sanitation
• Department of Environmental Affairs
• Sasol
• Agricultural Research Council
• South African Sugar Research Institute
• Water Research Commission
• Freshwater Research Centre