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  • Dr Magdalena Wajrak

    Dr Magdalena Wajrak

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Dr Magdalena Wajrak

Senior Lecturer

Staff Member Details
Telephone: +61 8 6304 5654
Facsimile: +61 8 6304 5070
Email: m.wajrak@ecu.edu.au
Campus: Joondalup  
Room: JO19.352  
ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3666-2175

Magdalena is a Senior Lecturer in Chemistry within the School of Science. Her main research areas are: Electrochemistry, Quantum/Theoretical Chemistry and Chemical Education.

Current Teaching

  • SCC1123 - Chemistry for the Life Sciences
  • SCC1111 - General Chemistry
  • SCC1250 - Inorganic Chemistry
  • SCC2310 - Physical Chemistry
  • SCI3150 -  Natural Sciences Project

Background

Dr Wajrak has a broad employment experience. Her main employment has been in academia at various Universities in WA and also in NSW, however, she has also gained experience working for private and government analytical laboratories and WA Environment Minister.

  • 2019-present: Chemistry Lecturer (Level C), School of Science, ECU, WA
  • 2006-2019: Chemistry Lecturer (Level B), School of Science, ECU, WA
  • 2001-2001: Chemistry Lecturer (Level B), Chemistry Department, University of New England, NSW
  • 2000-2001: Online Tutor Designer, CADRE Pty Ltd, Sydney, NSW; Research Officer, Monitoring Technologies International, Osborne Park, WA
  • 1999-2000: Computing Lecturer (Level A), Kurongkurl Katitjin School, ECU, WA
  • 1998-1999: Research Officer, Dr Judy Edwards, MLA, Maylands, WA
  • 1995-2005: Sessional Chemistry Tutor and Demonstrator, School of Natural Sciences, ECU, WA, Chemistry Lecturer (Level B), School of Pharmacy, UWA, WA and Research Assistant, Chemistry Centre, East Perth, WA

Professional Memberships

  • Member of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (MRACI C CHEM)
  • Member of the Australian Institute of Radiochemical Engineering (AIRE), Radiochemistry Education Committee
  • Member of the Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australia (HERDSA)
  • Member of the Advancing Science by Enhancing Learning in the Laboratory Project (ASELL)

Awards and Recognition

University and National Teaching Awards and Chemistry Outreach Awards

  • 2022: Finalists in 2022 WA Premier's Science Awards - Chevron Science Engagement Initiative of the Year
  • 2021: Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning -  Australian Awards for University Teaching (AAUT) program.
  • 2021: VC's Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning.
  • 2019: Implementation of electronic lab books in first year chemistry lab classes, $1,983
  • 2018: ECU Super Development Fund Award - ATHENA SWAN
  • 2014-2015: Inspiring and Motivating Indigenous Students to Study Science at Tertiary, Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program (HEPPP), $87,936.
  • 2012: Office for Learning and Teaching, Australian Awards for University Teaching - '2012 Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning'
  • 2010: Development of Chemical Demonstrations Booklet and running PD workshops for high school lab technicians, ECU Visiting Scholar Grant, Mr Tim Harrison, Bristol University, UK, $2,693
  • 2007: National Teaching Award - ‘2007 Pearson Education RACI Chemical Educator of the Year Award’
  • 2006: Development of novel experiment for third-year environmental chemistry unit, which teaches students new skills and theory of solid phase microextraction of pesticides, ECU Visiting Scholar Grant, Dr Ian Jamie, Macquarie University, NSW, $1,170
  • 2003-2010: Improving the teaching and learning and development of teaching resources for chemistry students at ECU, ECU Teaching and Learning Grants, $26,096
  • 2003: National Teaching Award - ‘The Royal Australian Chemical Institute Centenary of Federation Teaching (Tertiary) Award in Chemistry’
  • 2004: ECU Award - The Vice-Chancellor's Excellence in Teaching Award

National and International Research Positions

  • 2010: HERDSA Fellow

Research Areas and Interests

Electrochemistry

  • Voltammetric methods for low level detection of arsenic and lead in water and soil samples.
  • Voltammetric method for the detection of barium, lead and antimony in gunshot residues.
  • Investigation of the factors that affect deposition of arsenic on the surface of solid gold electrode.

Chemical Education and Chemistry Outreach

  • Designing multimedia chemistry teaching resources, novel experiments and lecture demonstrations for chemistry students.
  • Inspiring Aboriginal students about science through 'Old Ways, New Ways' Program in collaboration with Jason Barrow from Kurongkurl Katitjin School and Caroline Bishop from Engagement
  • Presenting 'Chemistry Magic Shows' for schools and general public
  • Teacher professional development in collaboration with Mr Tim Harrison from Bristol University, UK

External Research Grant Projects

  • 2019: Innovations Connection Project Grant, Curtin University, 2019 - 2020, $99,748

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Western Australia, 2002.
  • Graduate Diploma of Education Major in Science Education, Edith Cowan University, 2000.
  • Bachelor of Science with Honours, The University of Western Australia, 1992.
  • Bachelor of Science, The University of Western Australia, 1991.

Research Outputs

2024

Journal Articles

  • Paul Shylendra, S., Wajrak, M., Alameh, K., Kang, J. (2024). Effect of post deposition annealing on the sensing properties of thin film Ruthenium Oxide (RuO2) pH sensor. IEEE Sensors Journal, 24(8), 12498 - 12503. https://doi.org/10.1109/JSEN.2024.3370914.
  • Harrison, T., Davies-Coleman, M., Rivett , A., Khan, A., Sewry, J., Wajrak, M., Barker, N., Furze , J., Franklin, S., Sellou, L., Shallcross, N., Shallcross, D. (2024). Simple Climate Models That Can Be Used in Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Education. Journal of Chemical Education, 101(10), 4528-4532. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.4c00541.
  • Xu, X., Zhong, Y., Bhatelia, T., Wajrak, M., Jiang, SP., Shao, Z. (2024). Grain boundary engineering: An emerging pathway toward efficient electrocatalysis. InfoMat, 2024(article in press), article number e12608. https://doi.org/10.1002/inf2.12608.

2023

Journal Articles

  • De Villiers, C., Wajrak, M., Lubansky, A. (2023). Development of a 3-D-printable device for continuous measuring of heavy metal ion concentrations. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 76(12), 875-884. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1071/CH23112.
  • Khan, MA., Harrison, TG., Wajrak, M., Grimshaw, M., Schofield, KG., Trew, AJ., Johal, K., Morgan, J., Shallcross, KL., Sewry, JD., Davies-Coleman, MT., Shallcross, DE. (2023). Flipping the Thinking on Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion. Why EDI Is Essential for the Development and Progression of the Chemical Sciences: A Case Study Approach. Journal of Chemical Education, 100(11), 4279-4286. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.3c00364.
  • Paul Shylendra, S., Wajrak, M., Alameh, K. (2023). Fabrication and Optimization of Nafion as a Protective Membrane for TiN-Based pH Sensors. Sensors, 23(4), Article number 2331. https://doi.org/10.3390/s23042331.
  • Paul Shylendra, S., Wajrak, M., Alameh, K., Kang, JJ. (2023). Nafion Modified Titanium Nitride pH Sensor for Future Biomedical Applications. Sensors, 23(2), Article number 699. https://doi.org/10.3390/s23020699.

2022

Journal Articles

  • Alcock, R., Wajrak, M., Oosthuizen, J. (2022). Assessment of the effectiveness of ventilation controls in managing airborne and surface lead levels at a newly commissioned indoor shooting range. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(18), Article number 11711. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191811711.

2021

Journal Articles

  • Paul Shylendra, S., Lonsdale, W., Wajrak, M., Alam, MN., Alameh, K. (2021). Titanium Nitride Thin Film Based Low-Redox-Interference Potentiometric pH Sensing Electrodes. Sensors, 21(1), Article number 42. https://doi.org/10.3390/s21010042.

2019

Journal Articles

  • Lonsdale, W., Shylendra, S., Wajrak, M., Alameh, K. (2019). Application of all solid-state 3D printed pH sensor to beverage samples using matrix matched standard. Talanta, 196(1 May 2019), 18-21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2018.12.037.
  • Wajrak, M., Bordas, N., Harrison, T. (2019). A Science 'Show and D': Teacher and Technician Training - Down Under. Journal of Emergent Science, 1(16), 46-49. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/ecuworkspost2013/7611.
  • Ridgway, S., Wajrak, M. (2019). Development of an In-field Method for the Detection of Barium in Various Water Samples using Differential Pulse Anodic Stripping Voltammetry. International Journal of Electrochemistry, 2019(-), Article no. 5813492. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/5813492.

2018

Journal Articles

  • Wajrak, M., Lonsdale, W., Alameh, K. (2018). Manufacture and application of RuO2 solid-state metal-oxide pH sensor to common beverages. Talanta, 180(1 April 2018), 277-281. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2017.12.070.
  • Wajrak, M., Alameh, K., Lonsdale, W., Brouwer, S., Paul Shylendra, S. (2018). Application of ruthenium oxide pH sensitive electrode to samples with high redox interference. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical: international journal devoted to research and development of physical and chemical transducers, 273(2018), 1222-1225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2018.07.022.

2017

Journal Articles

  • Robertson, F., Barrow, J., Wajrak, M., Nannup, N., Bishop, C., Nannup, A. (2017). Participatory Action and Dual Lens Research. Qualitative Research Journal, 17(4), 283-293. https://doi.org/10.1108/QRJ-12-2016-0075.
  • Lonsdale, W., Maurya, D., Wajrak, M., Tay, CY., Marshall, B., Alameh, K. (2017). Rapid measurement of urease activity using a potentiometric RuO2 pH sensor for detection of Helicobacter pylori. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical: international journal devoted to research and development of physical and chemical transducers, 242(1 April 2017), 1305-1308. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2016.06.024.
  • Lonsdale, W., Maurya, D., Wajrak, M., Alameh, K. (2017). Effect of ordered mesoporous carbon contact layer on the sensing performance of sputtered RuO2 thin film pH sensor. Talanta, 164(1), 52-56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2016.11.020.
  • Lonsdale, W., Wajrak, M., Alameh, K. (2017). Effect of conditioning protocol, redox species and material thickness on the pH sensitivity and hysteresis of sputtered RuO2 electrodes. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical: international journal devoted to research and development of physical and chemical transducers, 252(November 2017), 251-256. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2017.05.171.
  • Lonsdale, W., Wajrak, M., Alameh, K. (2017). RuO2 pH Sensor with Super-Glue-Inspired Reference Electrode. Sensors, 17(9), Article No. 2036. https://doi.org/10.3390/s17092036.

2015

Journal Articles

  • Lonsdale, W., Wajrak, M., Ridgway, S. (2015). Onsite Measurement of Lead in Gunshot Residues Using Linear Sweep Voltammetry. Modern Environmental Science and Engineering, 1(4), 192-195. https://doi.org/10.15341/mese(2333-2581)/04.01.2015/005.
  • Lewtas, P., Fujikawa, Y., Wajrak, M. (2015). Stripping Voltammetry for On-Site Analysis of Heavy Metals: Working Electrode and Automation Options. Journal of Environmental Conservation Engineering, 44(10), 537-544.
  • Lonsdale, W., Wajrak, M., Mate, J. (2015). Measurement of Urinary Nickel and Cobalt using Square Wave Adsorptive Cathodic Stripping Voltammetry and UV Sample Digestion. Modern Environmental Science and Engineering, 1(3), 117-122. https://doi.org/10.15341/mese(2333-2581)/03.01.2015/002.
  • Chandler, G., Wajrak, M., Khan, N. (2015). Neutron Diffraction Structures of Water in Crystalline Hydrates of Metal Salts. Acta Crystallgraphica Section B, 71(1 June 2015), 275-284. https://doi.org/10.1107/S2052520615005387.

2012

Conference Publications

  • Wajrak, M., McCafferty, P. (2012). Validation of Portable Digital Voltammeter, PDV6000+ Instrument for Detection of Lead in Rain Water Samples in Esperance, Western Australia. Heavy Metals in the Environment: Selected Papers from the ICHMET-15 Conference (273-286). Maralte B.V.. https://doi.org/10.5645/b.2.23.
  • Ahmed, M., Munroe, P., Jiang, Z., Zhao, X., Wajrak, M., Guo, H., Rickard, W., Xie, Z. (2012). Corrosion- and damage-resistant nitride coatings for steel. Journal of the American Ceramic Society (2997-3004). Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1551-2916.2012.05328.x.
  • Lewtas, P., Wajrak, M. (2012). Improved rinsing procedure for samples containing sulfide and organic interferences in determination of arsenic by voltammetry. Understanding the Geological and Medical Interface of Arsenic, As 2012 - Proceedings of the 4th International Congress on Arsenic in the Environment (400-401). CRC Press.

2010

Conference Publications

  • Braungardt, C., Butterfield, M., Wajrak, M. (2010). On-site mine water analysis:application note for the PDV6000plus. Proceedings 2010 International Mine Water Association Symposium – Mine Water and Innovative Thinking (331-335). International Mine Water Association.
  • Wajrak, M. (2010). Investigating the surface of solid gold electrode to improve the sensitivity of anodic stripping voltammetry for arsenic detection.. Arsenic in Geosphere and Human Diseases AS2010. Arsenic in the Environment - Proceedings (487-489). CRC Press.
  • Wajrak, M., Hart, R., Prince, K. (2010). Investigation of Electrochemically Deposited Arsenic on the Surface of Solid Gold Electrodes using SIMS, SEM and Synchrotron Soft X-rays.. Proceedings of the 16th Australian Conference on Nuclear and Complementary Techniques of Analysis NCTA 2009 (1-5). AINSE Ltd.

2009

Book Chapters

  • Wajrak, M. (2009). Infield detection of arsenic using a portable digital voltameter, PDV6000. Natural arsenic in groundwaters of Latin America (245-253). Taylor & Francis.
  • Wajrak, M., Perkins, T. (2009). Authentic Assessment – Mission Possible or Mission Impossible?. Enhancing Teaching and Learning through Assessment: Experience from the Project (177-195). Springer.

Conference Publications

  • McCafferty, P., Wajrak, M. (2009). Utilisation and Validation of a Rapid, On-Site Capability for Metal Analysis. Proceedings from Ozwater '09, Australia's national water conference and exhibition (5p.). Australian Water Association.

2006

Journal Articles

  • Hinwood, A., Horwitz, P., Appleyard, SJ., Barton, C., Wajrak, M. (2006). Acid Sulphate Soil Disturbance and metals in groundwater: Implications for human exposure through home grown produce. Environmental Pollution, 143(1), 100-105.

2005

Journal Articles

  • Wajrak, M., Boyce, M. (2005). The determination of the best separation conditions for a mixture of preservatives of varying polarity using HPLC: an ACELL Experiment. Australian Journal of Education in Chemistry, 2005(65), 20-23.

2004

Journal Articles

  • Wajrak, M., Rummey, J. (2004). Determination of silver by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry: An APCELL experiment. Australian Journal of Education in Chemistry, 63(n/a), 26-30.

Research Projects

  • Sustainable High Purity Alumina Production, Department of Industry, Science and Resources, Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Programme, 2025 ‑ 2027, $1,295,302.
  • Development of an onsite electrochemical monitoring of copper concentrations in effluent from cleaning navy vessels hull., Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation, Defence Science Collaborative Research Grants, 2023 ‑ 2025, $150,000.
  • Vital Trace- Biosensor R&D Project, VitalTrace, APRIntern, 2022, $16,000.
  • National Indigenous Science Engagement Program (NISEP) - Engaging Rural, Region and Indigenous Communities in Science, The Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education , DIISRTE - Grant, 2012 ‑ 2015, $750,000.
  • Australian Synchrotron Access Program, Australian Research Council, Grant - Special Research Initiative in Synchrotron Science - 2012, 2012 ‑ 2015, $54,848,866.
  • Evaluation of Dewatech Water Treatment Plant - Laboratory Tests to Evaluate the Adsorption Capacity of DM165, The Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education , Enterprise Connect - RiB, 2013, $32,226.
  • Investigating factors which affect electrodeposition of arsenic film on solid gold electrode using SIMS instrument., Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering, Grant, 2012, $9,300.
  • Quantitative surface depth profiling of electrochemically deposited arsenic on gold electrode using ERD analysis, Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering, Grant, 2011, $6,936.
  • Investigation of Arsenic Film Electrodeposited on Solid Gold Electrode Using Sims Instrument, Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering, Grant, 2010, $13,675.
  • Investigating the Surface of Gold Electrode Subjected to Electrochemical Processes Using Soft X-Ray, Australian Synchrotron, Grant, 2008 ‑ 2009, $1,486.
  • Investigation of the chemical profile of the gold electrode in ASV detection of arsenic, Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering, Grant, 2008 ‑ 2009, $9,300.
  • Investigation of conditioning methods on the gold electrode surface employed in electro analyses of arsenic., Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering, Grant, 2007 ‑ 2008, $13,525.
  • The development of accurate and reliable infield methods for the detection of arsenic in ground water using simple and inexpensive electroanalytical method called 'anodic stripping voltammetry'., Edith Cowan University, ECU Early Career Researcher - Grant, 2003 ‑ 2004, $5,500.

Research Student Supervision

Current Supervisions

Principal Supervisor

  • Master of Science by Research, Development and optimisation of catalysts for the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide

Completed Supervisions

Principal Supervisor

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Investigation and Development of Titanium Nitride Solid-State Potentiometric pH Sensor

Co-principal Supervisor

  • Master of Science (Chemistry), Investigation of interferences and development of pre-treatment methods for arsenic analysis by anodic stripping voltammetry

Associate Supervisor

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Development, manufacture and application of a solid-state pH sensor using ruthenium oxide
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