Ashley Bastiansz
MSc Student, McGill University Mercury in skin-lightening cosmetics [email protected] |
A) Educational Background
MSc McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, Canada (2020-present)
Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Department of Natural Resource Sciences
BSc University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada (2014-2018)
Major: Environmental Science - Environment and Resource Management
Ontario Agricultural College
School of Environmental Sciences
Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Department of Natural Resource Sciences
BSc University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada (2014-2018)
Major: Environmental Science - Environment and Resource Management
Ontario Agricultural College
School of Environmental Sciences
B) Research Interests and Current Projects
My current research interests are based in environmental sciences and human health. At McGill, my master’s research is focused on increasing our understanding of human mercury exposure and associated health risks from skin-lightening cosmetics and analyzing mercury concentrations in readily available skin-lightening products used in West Africa, Asia, and Mexico. I am interested in further exploring the intersectionality of skin-lightening cosmetic usage among vulnerable populations. I am motivated to use my research to inform policy makers and regulatory agencies better understand the global prevalence of mercury-added skin-lightening cosmetics over time.
C) Honours and Awards
2021 NSERC PURE CREATE Fellowship (Université de Montréal)
2018 Dean's Honours List (University of Guelph)
2018 Dean's Honours List (University of Guelph)
D) Previous Research and Professional Experience
2020-2021 Associate on Programme Management-Individual contractor, Secretariat of the Minamata Convention on Mercury at the United Nations Environment Programme (Geneva, Switzerland)
2019 Environmental Affairs Intern, Secretariat of the Minamata Convention on Mercury at the United Nations Environment Programme (Geneva, Switzerland)
2018-2019 Technical Data Analyst, Metrolinx Government Agency (Toronto, ON, Canada)
2018 Co-authored Agrivoltaics Research Report, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) (Guelph, ON, Canada)
2018 Co-authored City of Guelph’s Community Gardens Program Report (Guelph, ON, Canada)
2019 Environmental Affairs Intern, Secretariat of the Minamata Convention on Mercury at the United Nations Environment Programme (Geneva, Switzerland)
2018-2019 Technical Data Analyst, Metrolinx Government Agency (Toronto, ON, Canada)
2018 Co-authored Agrivoltaics Research Report, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) (Guelph, ON, Canada)
2018 Co-authored City of Guelph’s Community Gardens Program Report (Guelph, ON, Canada)
E) Publications and Presentations
Bastiansz A., Ewald J., Rodríguez Saldaña V., Santa-Rios A., and Basu N. 2021. Global analysis of environmental exposure pathways of mercury from skin-lightening cosmetics. Society of Toxicology. Virtual Event. March 12-26, 2021. [POSTER].