The Department of Chemistry

Professional Profile and Research Interests

Analytical and Environmental Chemist with over 15 years of experience in analytical instrumentation, environmental monitoring, pollution assessment, and analytical laboratory management.

My research focuses on the detection, characterization and risk assessment of environmental contaminants including heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in environmental matrices such as air, soil, water, sediments and food systems. I am also interested in the role of chemistry in advancing food security measures for the Caribbean region.

I currently coordinate the Research, Outreach, Consulting and Analytical Services (ROCAS) unit in the Department of Chemistry and manage the advanced instrumentation laboratories. Key roles and responsibilities include:

(i) Leading and expanding the Department’s revenue-generating initiatives in research, consultancy, and analytical laboratory services, in alignment with institutional priorities.

(ii) Serving as the primary interface for external clients, including government, industry, and regional stakeholders, by assessing analytical needs, mobilizing appropriate resources, and coordinating timely delivery of services.

(iii) Actively conducting and supporting research in analytical and environmental chemistry, with particular emphasis on applied and participatory action research relevant to regional challenges.

(iv) Managing and maintaining advanced analytical instrumentation, including Gas Chromatography (GC), Atomic Absorption (AA), High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Mass Spectrometry (MS) systems, ensuring proper operation, calibration, troubleshooting, and compliance with QA/QC standards.

Selected Publications

1. Rampersad, D. & Mohammed, F.K. “Heavy metals and Volatile Organic Compounds in Residual Dust at Vehicle Inspection Bays in Trinidad, West Indies”, Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 198 (6), 587. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-026-15417-8

2. Mohammed, F.K.; Powder-George, Y.L.; Mohammed, D.J. & Ramudit, A. “Experiences, challenges and recommendations from emergency remote learning: the perspectives of university chemistry students in a small island developing state”, Research in Science & Technological Education, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/02635143.2025.2573200

3. Mohammed, S. & Mohammed, F.K. “Pollution characteristics, risk assessment, and source apportionment of potentially toxic elements in road dust at two industrial parks in Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies”, Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 194:445. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-022-10109-5
4. Singh, D.S.; Rostant, L.V.; Mohammed, A.; Jairam, A.S.; Sahatoo, J.J.; Khan Ali, R. & Mohammed, F. “Sublethal levels of organophosphate insecticides alter behaviour in the juveniles of the Neotropical crab, Poppiana dentata (Randall 1840)”, Ethology Ecology & Evolution. https://doi.org/10.1080/03949370.2022.2044389
5. Smith, M. & Mohammed, F.K. “Heavy metal intake and health risk implications from consumption of dried pulses in Trinidad and Tobago, W.I.”, Food Additives & Contaminants: Part B. https://doi.org/10.1080/19393210.2020.1762759
6. Pragg, C. & Mohammed, F.K. “Distribution and health risk assessment of heavy metals in road dust from an industrial estate in Trinidad, West Indies”, International Journal of Environmental Health Research, 2020, Volume 30, Issue 3, pp. 336-343. https://doi.org/10.1080/09603123.2019.1609657
7. Brathwaite, J. & Mohammed, F.K. “A preliminary health risk assessment of heavy metals in local and imported rice grains marketed in Trinidad and Tobago, W.I.”, Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 2020, Volume 26, Issue2, pp. 295-309. https://doi.org/10.1080/10807039.2018.1508328
8. Eccles, K.; Powder-George, Y.L.; Mohammed, F.K. & Khan, A. “Efficacy of Artocarpus altilis (Parkinson) Fosberg extracts on contact mortality, repellency, oviposition deterrency and fumigant toxicity of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera:Bruchidae)”, International Journal of Pest Management, 2019, Volume 65, Issue 1, pp. 72-78. https://doi.org/10.1080/09670874.2018.1462359
9. Mohammed, F.K.; Beckles, D.M. & Opadeyi, J. “Characterization, source apportionment and human health risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in road dust of a small island state in the Caribbean”, Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 2018, Volume 24, Issue 7, pp 1852-1871. https://doi.org/10.1080/10807039.2018.1426437
10. Seepersaud, M; Ramkissoon, A.; Seecharan, S.; Powder-George, Y.L. & Mohammed, F.K., “Environmental monitoring of Heavy metals and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Sargassum filipendula and Sargassum vulgare C.Agardh along the eastern coastal waters of Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies”, Journal of Applied Phycology, 2018, Volume 30, Issue 3, pp 2143-2154. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-017-1372-3
11. Powder-George, Y.L. & Mohammed, F.K. “GC-MS analysis of the bioactive phytoconstituents of various organic crude extracts from the seed kernels of Manilkara bidentata (balata) collected in Trinidad, W.I.”, Natural Product Research, 2018, Volume 32, Issue 3, pp. 358-361. https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2017.1354192
12. Mohammed, F.K.; Sieuraj, J. & Seepersaud, M. “A preliminary assessment of heavy metals in surface waters and sediments from the Cipero and South Oropouche Rivers in Trinidad, West Indies”, Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 189: 396. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-017-6077-1