Dr. Ines Tomašek

Ines is now a researcher at GReD, CNRS/INSERN, Faculté de Médecine & Laboratoire Magma et Volcans, Université de Clermont Ferrand, France

Post-Doc 2018-2021

PROJECTS:

VUB SRP | Tracing and Modelling of Past & Present Global Changes

​VLIR UOS TEAM | Optimising the valorization of water and rock resources for improved livelihoods in the Arusha volcanic region

RESEARCH SUMMARY:

I'm a medical geologist and volcanologist working on health and environmental impacts of volcanic eruptions using multidisciplinary approaches and methods across geochemistry and particle toxicology.

Volcanic ash eruptions may severely impact population living near an active volcano and in distal urban areas. Freshly erupted ash is exposed to various physical and chemical processes that may change its surface composition and bioreactivity in the receiving environment. My main research focus is the interactions of volcanic ash with urban air pollutants and potential health effects of their co-exposure.

I use various techniques to physicochemically characterise volcanic ash in order to identify the properties that might impact ash toxicity, including:

• Particle surface composition:
  • Leachable elements - AAS, ICP-MS on ash leachates in simulated lung fluid, simulated gastric fluid, water
  • Presence of organic compounds - CALUX bioassay
• Particle size - DLS
• Particle shape - SEM
• Bulk composition - XRF, ICP-MS
• In vitro toxicology - cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, (pro-)inflammatory response, genotoxicity tests

FIELD SITES:

Mt. Etna (Sicily, Italy), Meru and Oldoinyo Lengai volcanoes (Tanzania), but I work on ash from volcanoes from all around the world (Waakari/White Island, Ambae, Fuego, Tungurahua, Chaiten, Soufriere Hills, Kilauea, Sakurajima, Kelud, etc).

EDUCATION:

• PhD Earth Sciences | 2018; Durham University, United Kingdom
• MEng Environmental Geology | 2013; University of Zagreb, Croatia
• BEng Geological Engineering | 2011; University of Zagreb, Croatia

KEYWORDS:

Medical Geology, Particle Toxicology, Environmental Chemistry, Volcanic Eruptions, Urban Air Quality, Respiratory Health, Health Hazard Assessment