St. John’s, NL – June 22, 2026
The Northern Region Persistent Organic Pollution Control (NRPOP) Laboratory, in collaboration with the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science (FEAS) at Memorial University, successfully hosted a special “Lunch & Learn Session” on June 22, 2026, featuring two internationally renowned environmental toxicologists from the University of Alberta: Professor Xing-Fang Li, Ph.D. FCIC, FRSC and Professor Chris Le, Ph.D. FCIC, FRSC, both elected Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada (RSC).
Despite the seminar taking place during Newfoundland and Labrador’s June Holiday period and Memorial University’s midterm break, the event attracted strong participation from faculty members, graduate students, researchers, and professionals across multiple disciplines, demonstrating the community’s continued enthusiasm for cutting-edge environmental research and scientific exchange.
Dr. Li delivered a presentation entitled “Addressing Challenges in Nontargeted Analysis of Halogenated Contaminants in Water.” Her seminar highlighted recent advances in identifying previously unknown halogenated contaminants and disinfection by-products (DBPs) in water systems. She introduced innovative machine learning–based analytical tools, including *HalogenFinder* and *IodoFinder*, which significantly improve the detection of chlorinated, brominated, and iodinated compounds in high-resolution mass spectrometry datasets. Her work represents a major advancement in environmental contaminant discovery and exposomic research.
Dr. Le presented “Environmental Exposure and Health Effects of Arsenic,” offering an overview of the global challenges associated with arsenic contamination and its impacts on human health. His lecture explored recent developments in arsenic speciation analysis, exposure assessment, metabolism studies, and biomarker development. Drawing upon decades of interdisciplinary research, Professor Le demonstrated how analytical chemistry can contribute to understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying arsenic toxicity and support evidence-based public health protection.
Following the seminar, participants joined the speakers for a working lunch, creating an opportunity for more in-depth discussion and informal knowledge exchange. Faculty members, graduate students, and researchers engaged directly with Professors Li and Le on topics ranging from emerging contaminants and environmental toxicology to analytical chemistry, interdisciplinary collaboration, and academic career development. These conversations provided valuable insights for students and early-career researchers while strengthening connections between Memorial University and the University of Alberta.
NRPOP Lab extends its sincere appreciation to Dr. Xing-Fang Li and Dr. Chris Le for sharing their expertise and inspiring the next generation of environmental researchers. The laboratory also thanks FEAS for supporting this event through its Lunch & Learn Seminar program and acknowledges all attendees whose participation contributed to the seminar’s success.
Through events such as this, NRPOP Lab continues to promote international academic collaboration, foster interdisciplinary dialogue, and advance research excellence in environmental science, engineering, and public health.
About Professor Xing-Fang Li
Professor Xing-Fang Li, PhD, FCIC, FRSC is a Professor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at the University of Alberta. The department is widely recognized for its interdisciplinary research spanning analytical sciences, environmental health, pathology, and biomedical research. Professor Li also holds a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Analytical and Environmental Toxicology and is an elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. Her research focuses on developing innovative analytical and molecular techniques for the ultrasensitive detection of environmental contaminants, microbial pathogens, and biomolecular interactions.
Professor Li has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Ricardo Aroca Award, the Environment Research & Development Dima Award, and the W.A.E. McBryde Medal. She currently serves as Associate Editor of ACS Environment Au and as a member of the Editorial Advisory Board for Environmental Science & Technology.
About Professor Chris Le
Professor Chris Le, PhD, FCIC, FRSC is a Distinguished University Professor and Director of the Analytical and Environmental Toxicology Division at the University of Alberta. The Division is internationally recognized for advancing research in environmental toxicology, analytical chemistry, exposure science, and environmental health, and has contributed significantly to understanding the occurrence, transformation, and health effects of environmental contaminants.
An elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada since 2010, Professor Le is internationally recognized for his contributions to analytical chemistry and environmental health sciences. His interdisciplinary research spans bioanalytical technology, environmental toxicology, and human health, resulting in more than 300 publications, 15 patents, and the mentorship of over 100 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. He currently serves as Associate Editor of Analytical Chemistry and Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Environmental Sciences.
