Dr Mike Williams

Dr Mike Williams is a senior research scientist within the CSIRO Environment Industry Environments research program. His research experience involves assessment of the fate and effects of a diverse range of trace organic contaminants, including pharmaceuticals, antibiotics, personal care products, hydraulic fracturing chemicals, perfluorinated chemicals and microplastics, in aquatic and terrestrial environments. He has extensive experience in using measurement tools (including high resolution mass spectrometry) for contaminant quantification and characterisation, with the ability to integrate this with the assessment of their fate and effects to determine the potential ecological impacts of trace organic contaminants. Dr Williams has a demonstrated capacity to work and interact with others across a range of disciplinary backgrounds, including working with regulators, industry and policy makers, to translate scientific outcomes into effective management of contaminants in various waste streams. He is currently involved in projects assessing (1) the fate and ecotoxicity of plastics in terrestrial ecosystems, including the harmonisation of measurement methodology; (2) the assessment of hazardous chemicals in crops from wastewater irrigation, soil amendments or other on-farm practices; (3) effective solutions for minimising microplastic and other contaminants in industrial wastewaters using various treatment technologies; and (4) the use of high resolution mass spectrometry for developing monitoring programs for environmental waste discharges. He is also a member of Standards Australia committees to develop method harmonisation for microplastics in the environment and assessment of biodegradable materials for composting and is a member of ASTAG (Environment) to provide expert advice on issues related to antimicrobial resistance (AMR).