Lecturer, Analytical Chemistry

The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus Trinidad and Tobago, W.I.

Telephone: 868-662-2002 Ext.85301

Email: grace-anne.bent@uwi.edu


Research Interests

My research and professional interests focus on food safety and security, including pesticide use and management, food contaminant monitoring, food testing, and food quality assessment. I am particularly interested in understanding the impact of xenobiotics, such as acrylamide, on food quality, safety, and consumer health. My work also encompasses the development and optimization of analytical methods to support accurate testing, risk assessment, and evidence-based decision-making.

In addition, I am actively engaged in environmental safety, management, and sustainability, with expertise in wastewater treatment, environmental monitoring, remediation, and renewable energy technologies. A key area of my research involves the creation and development of innovative, low-cost sensing technologies, including chemical sensors and nanosensors, for food and environmental applications. Through interdisciplinary research and technological innovation, I seek to advance sustainable solutions that strengthen environmental stewardship, protect public health, and enhance food system resilience.

As an educator, I am passionate about teaching at the tertiary level and embracing modern, student-centred approaches that enhance learning and engagement. I am committed to continuous professional development and regularly pursue opportunities to expand my knowledge and skills which have strengthened my ability to integrate emerging technologies into teaching and learning practices.

Selected Publications

Augustine, D.A.; Dookeram N.; Albert S.; James S.; Bent, G.-A. A pilot study of the contribution of energy-dense Caribbean diets to acrylamide exposure with associated health risks for a population of university students in Trinidad and Tobago. Food Additives and Contaminants Part A. 2024. Vol 41(7) 742 – 755. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19440049.2024.2351986

Augustine, D.A.; Bent, G-A. Acrylamide, a toxic maillard by-product and its inhibition by sulfur-containing compounds: A mini review. Front. Food. Sci. Technol. Sec. Food Characterization., 2022, 2. https://doi.org/10.3389/frfst.2022.1072675

Doornkamp, J. L.; James, N. A.; Ori, S.; Bent, G.-A. Ambient air levels and bus occupants’ exposure to benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX) while commuting in Paramaribo, Suriname – A pilot study. Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering, 2021, 100112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscee.2021.100112

Augustine, D.A.; Bent, G.-A.; Nelson, P.N. Mechanistic evidence for the effect of sulphur-based additive: methionine, on acrylamide reduction. Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1080/19440049.2021.1925166

Clarke, C. E.; Mohammed, F. K.; Hamid, A.; Bent, G-A. Quantification and health risk assessment of heavy metals in residual floor dust at an indoor firing range: A case study in Trinidad, W.I. International Journal of Environmental Health Research. 2020, 1 – 13.  https://doi.org/10.1080/09603123.2020.1793917

Collimore, W.A.; Bent, G.-A. A newly modified QuEChERS method for the analysis of organochlorine and organophosphate pesticide residues in select fruits and vegetables. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. 2020, 192 (2), 1 – 10. https:/doi.org/10.1007/s10661-020-8072-1.

Qualifications

  • Certificate in University Teaching and Learning CUTL (Distinction) - The University of the West Indies (UWI), 2013
  • PhD. Chemistry, (High Commendation) - UWI, 2009
  • BSc. Applied Chemistry Major, (1st Class Hons.) - UWI, 2003

Fellowships and Training

  • CETL 1002 – Generative AI in Higher Education, UWI, - June 2026
  • Advanced Microscopy and Spectroscopic Training, 2024 – 2025 - XPS, SEM, TEM, XRD at The Center of Functional Nanomaterials (CFN) at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Upton NY, USA
  • Co-evaluator Training (Quality Assurance Unit, UWI) – 2024
  • Trinidad and Tobago Laboratory Accreditation Services (TTLABS) Accreditation, 2021 ISO/IEC 17025, ISO/IEC 17011:2017, ISO/IEC 17020:2012, ISO 9000:9001
  • GC/MS/MS Training – on Agilent 8890 GC with 5977B MS-HES system 2021
  • Moving from Face to Face to Online Teaching (in a hurry) – April 2020
  • Webinar: Using Myelearning for Alternative Assessments – April 2020
  • Inspiration, Innovation & Iteration 2020 at UWI – January 2020
  • Course Design Boot Camp Parts 1 & 2 – September 2019
  • Student-centered Research Supervision – November 2013

Professional Experience

  • Lecturer of Chemistry (Analytical) 2011 – present
  • MSc OESH Project Supervisor and Thesis Examiner – 2011 – present
  • MPhil and PhD Project Supervisor and Thesis Examiner 2012 - present

Honours and Awards

  • Kinetic and density functional theory studies of in vitro reactions of acrylamide with the thiols: captopril, L-cysteine, and glutathione. Toxicol. Res. 2015, 4, 121 – 131. Best Research Publication, Principal’s Research Day Awards, UWI Mona, 2016
  • The Impact of the Contaminants Produced by the Guanapo Landfill on the Surrounding Environment. Team Member. Project funding: TT$1,000,000 UWI-TT Research and Development Impact Fund
  • The Impact of the Contaminants Produced by the Guanapo Landfill on the Surrounding Environment. Most Impactful Research Project Award. Team member
  • The Impact of the Contaminants Produced by the Guanapo Landfill on the Surrounding Environment. Best Research Team – Encouraging Multi-disciplinary Research

UWI Service

  • Co-evaluator of Quality Review Process for Department of Behavioural Sciences, UWI, St. Augustine Campus, 2026
  • University Examiner of ESST 2001 (Principles of Environmental Chemistry), 2025 – Present
  • Independent Examiner/Remarker of ESST 3003 (Environmental Monitoring and Assessment) 2025 – Present
  • Community Engagement Advisory Committee 2024 - present
  • University Quality Co-evaluator, 2024 - Present
  • Library Committee (Chemistry Representative), 2019 - Present

Public Service

  • The UWI Representative (Alternate) of the Trinidad and Tobago Laboratory Accreditation Service (TTLABS) Accreditation Committee, July 2021 – present
  • Consultant to The Ministry of Planning and Development, Trinidad and Tobago on Pesticides as part of the Medium-Term Goals for the National Development Strategy (Vision 2030), April 2021
  • Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS) Regional Technical Subcommittee Member for Bleach – Alternative Silent Observer, 2020 – 2024
  • Organizing Committee Member - Biennial Regional Chemistry Conference and Expo (BRCCE) 2018 – 2019
  • Charitable donation, in conjunction with the Department of Chemistry, The UWI, St. Augustine Campus, of a computer and a multimedia projector to the residents of the Guanapo Heights Community, 2016
  • Volunteer work, in conjunction with the FST, The UWI, St. Augustine Campus, to recruit science students at secondary school and college students in Trinidad in an effort to increase student application and enrollment into the FST, 2015 – 2017
  • Editorial Board Member (2021) – Environmental and Toxicology Management. Available online: https://journal2.unusa.ac.id/index.php/etm/issue/view/127
  • Reviewer for Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry, Horticultural Plant Journal, Food Chemistry, Journal of Trace Elements and Minerals (Elsevier)
  • Reviewer for Food Analytical Methods (Springernature)
  • Reviewer for Food Science and Nutrition (Wiley); Food Additives and Contaminants (TFAC)

Professional Memberships

  • American Chemical Society

Courses Taught

  • CHEM 2470, Introduction to Analytical Chemistry
  • CHEM 2471, Analytical Methods in Chemistry I
  • CHEM 2472, Analytical Chemistry Laboratory
  • CHEM 3470 Analytical Methods in Chemistry II
  • CHEM 3471 Quality Assurance for Laboratories
  • CHEM 6460, Advanced Topics in Analytical Chemistry
  • OESH 6040, Advanced OESH Management Systems – Hazardous Materials

Research Projects

  • Synthesis and characterization of tunable fluorescent copper thiolate nanoclusters as potential sensors for the detection of pyrethroid pesticides
  • Development of a copper nanoparticle-based fluorescent sensor for the detection of carbamate pesticides in Trinidadian soil profiles, agricultural ecosystems, and produce
  • Dietary acrylamide: Investigation of methionine’s counteracting effects and an assessment of exposure to the Trinidad & Tobago population
  • Monitoring and quantification of organochlorine and organophosphate pesticide residues in foods consumed in Trinidad and Tobago

Graduate Students

  • PhD (3) – Successfully completed (2), In examination (1)
  • MPhil (2) - Successfully completed (1), In progress (1)
  • MSc (20) - Successfully completed (19), In progress (1)

Grants

  • Synthesis and characterization of tunable fluorescent copper thiolate nanoclusters as potential sensors for the detection of pyrethroid pesticides. CRP, 2024. Research Grant of $9, 435 (TT) awarded to PhD student for field work at BNL
  • Synthesis and characterization of tunable fluorescent copper thiolate nanoclusters as potential sensors for the detection of pyrethroid pesticides. CRP, 2024. Research Grant of $5, 000 (TT) awarded to PhD student to attend:  28th ACS GC & E Conference, GA
  • Dietary acrylamide: Investigation of methionine’s counteracting effects and an assessment of exposure to the Trinidad & Tobago population. CRP, 2021. Research Grants of $25, 425 (TT) awarded to MPhil student for research chemicals, equipment and fieldwork
  • A workshop aimed at community engagement and the practical application of basic chemistry principles to soap making including a component on the environmental impact and sustainability of essential oils. CRP, 2019. Research Grant of $12, 465 (TT)
  • Monitoring and quantification of organochlorine and organophosphate pesticide residues in foods consumed in Trinidad and Tobago. CRP, 2016. Research Grant of $17, 500 (TT) awarded to PhD student for fieldwork
  • Travel Grant, 2015. American Chemical Society, – $5, 000 (US)
  • CRP, 2011. Research Grant of $32, 000 (TT) awarded to conduct acrylamide and pesticide research

Top of Page