Dr ANNA chi ying yeung

Anna Chi Ying Yeung completed a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biotechnology with honours in microbiology at the University of Sydney. For her PhD at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), she transferred into environmental engineering, completing a study on the effects of blue-green algae, and how the iron in the water directly affects their toxicity and growth.

As a post-doc researcher, Anna has worked in bioremediation research, which involves using products from bacteria, to help break down pollutants in the environment. Her work involved researching potential bacteria that could break down perfluoralkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Anna then got the opportunity, to study how different variations in the composition of certain coals, and variations in coals in general affect different lung cells.

Anna has now been at the Woolcock Institute for about four years, studying different occupational lung diseases. Her focus is on silicosis disease caused by newly engineered composite stones. Anna is also researching if engineered composite stones are more dangerous than natural stones that we used to use.

The project she is currently working on is funded by NSW government agency icare, this fellowship involves 3 parts:

• Comparing natural vs artificial stones, and the different effects they have on lung cells.

• Reviewing different protective masks and how effective they are.

• Completing an information booklet.

Anna’s fun fact is that she got her first pair of steel cap boots this year.