Dr Ruth Fisher

Dr Ruth Fisher

Senior Lecturer
Engineering
Civil and Environmental Engineering

Senior Lecturer in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Ruth is currently a Senior lecturer in Environmental Engineering and Sustainability in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering. She is an Education Focused Academic and is keen to inspire students about sustainability, environmental engineering and the positive impacts they can have on the world. 

Ruth completed her PhD in 2018, investigating the emission of odours from biosolids processing in wastewater treatment plants. She is interested in improving the sustainability and performance of waste management systems, such as wastewater treatment. She is a member of the Odour Laboratory and her research was funded through the CRC for Low Carbon Living project RP2008 Beneficial Reuse of Biosolids project.

Her background as a chemical engineer supports her systems thinking approaches to solving odour emissions. Previous to her life at UNSW Sydney, Ruth worked at CSIRO on a number of projects on membranes for water treatment and industrial vent gas treatment. These projects introduced her to research and identifying opportunities for industry collaborations.  Working closely with industry partners such as Sydney Water, Hunter Water, and Suez opened the door for shared learning and greater impact of research outcomes. She is keen to look more broadly at the world especially in how sustainability and odour emissions are linked to waste management. “As engineers we need to take a step back and look at the interactions between systems, for example, when treating an odour we need to make sure we don’t shift the burden from one area or phase to another”.

Phone
(+61 2) 9385 5073
Location
Civil and Environmental Engineering (H20) Level 3, Room CE311 Kensington Campus
  • Book Chapters | 2023
    Hayes JE; Le HV; Fisher RM; Le-Minh N; Stuetz RM, 2023, 'Medição e avaliação de compostos odoríferos de enxofre', in Tecnologias ambientais para tratar a poluição por enxofre: Princípios e Engenharia - 2a Edição, pp. 348 - 376
    Book Chapters | 2020
    Hayes JE; Le HV; Fisher RM; Le-Minh N; Stuetz RM, 2020, 'Measurement and assessment of odorous sulfur compounds', in Environmental Technologies to Treat Sulphur Pollution: Principles and Engineering, IWA Publishing, pp. 321 - 344, http://dx.doi.org/10.2166/9781789060966_0321
  • Journal articles | 2024
    Hayes JE; Prata AA; Fisher RM; Lindley MR; Stuetz RM, 2024, 'Corrigendum to ‘Odorous emissions of synthetic turf and its relationship with local communities’ [Environ. Pollut. 357 (2024) 124462] (Environmental Pollution (2024) 357, (S026974912401176X), (10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124462))', Environmental Pollution, 359, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124582
    Journal articles | 2024
    Hayes JE; Prata AA; Fisher RM; Lindley MR; Stuetz RMS, 2024, 'Odorous emissions of synthetic turf and its relationship with local communities', Environmental Pollution, 357, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124462
    Journal articles | 2022
    Barczak RJ; Fisher RM; Le-Minh N; Stuetz RM, 2022, 'Identification of volatile sulfur odorants emitted from ageing wastewater biosolids', Chemosphere, 287, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132210
    Journal articles | 2022
    Barczak RJ; Fisher RM; Stuetz RM, 2022, 'Importance of Musty Odour Character in the Emissions from Anaerobically Stabilized Dewatered Biosolids. Towards the Identification of Unknown Odour Components', Chemical Engineering Transactions, 95, pp. 193 - 198, http://dx.doi.org/10.3303/CET2295033
    Journal articles | 2022
    Barczak RJ; Możaryn J; Fisher RM; Stuetz RM, 2022, 'Odour concentrations prediction based on odorants concentrations from biosolid emissions', Environmental Research, 214, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2022.113871
    Journal articles | 2022
    Jiang L; Pan J; Li Q; Chen H; Zhou S; Yu Z; Jiang S; Yin H; Guan J; Taylor RA; Fisher R; Leslie G; Scott J; Zhao H; Wang DW, 2022, 'A holistic green system coupling hydrogen production with wastewater valorisation', EcoMat, 4, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/eom2.12254
    Journal articles | 2022
    Li C; Le-Minh N; McDonald JA; Kinsela AS; Fisher RM; Liu D; Stuetz RM, 2022, 'Occurrence and risk assessment of trace organic contaminants and metals in anaerobically co-digested sludge', Science of the Total Environment, 816, pp. 151533, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151533
    Journal articles | 2022
    Liu L; Abdala Prata Junior A; Fisher RM; Stuetz RM, 2022, 'Measuring volatile emissions from biosolids: A critical review on sampling methods', Journal of Environmental Management, 317, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115290
    Journal articles | 2019
    Barczak RJ; Fisher RM; Le-Minh N; Stuetz RM, 2019, 'Importance of 2,4,6-Trichloroanisole (TCA) as an odorant in the emissions from anaerobically stabilized dewatered biosolids', Chemosphere, 236, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.07.071
    Journal articles | 2019
    Fisher RM; Alvarez-Gaitan JP; Stuetz RM, 2019, 'Review of the effects of wastewater biosolids stabilization processes on odor emissions', Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 49, pp. 1515 - 1586, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10643389.2019.1579620
    Journal articles | 2019
    Hayes JE; Fisher RM; Stevenson RJ; Stuetz RM, 2019, 'Investigation of non-community stakeholders regarding community engagement and environmental malodour', Science of the Total Environment, 665, pp. 546 - 556, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.02.137
    Journal articles | 2019
    Kamarulzaman NH; Le-Minh N; Fisher RM; Stuetz RM, 2019, 'Quantification of VOCs and the development of odour wheels for rubber processing', Science of the Total Environment, 657, pp. 154 - 168, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.11.451
    Journal articles | 2019
    Khan SJ; Fisher R; Roser DJ, 2019, 'Potable reuse: Which chemicals to be concerned about', Current Opinion in Environmental Science and Health, 7, pp. 76 - 82, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.coesh.2018.12.002
    Journal articles | 2018
    Barczak RJ; Fisher RM; Wang X; Stuetz RM, 2018, 'Variations of odorous VOCs detected by different assessors via gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry and olfactory detection port (ODP) system', Water Science and Technology, 77, pp. 759 - 765, http://dx.doi.org/10.2166/wst.2017.569
    Journal articles | 2018
    Fisher R; Hayes J; Alvarez-Gaitan JP; Aurisch R; Vitanage D; Stuetz R, 2018, 'Influence of Biosolids Processing on the Production of Odorous Emissions at Wastewater Treatment Plants', Proceedings of the Water Environment Federation, 2018, pp. 57 - 61, http://dx.doi.org/10.2175/193864718822846887
    Journal articles | 2018
    Fisher R; Shammay A; Alvarez-Gaitan JP; Stuetz RM, 2018, 'Sewer catchment effects on wastewater and biosolids odour management', Water Science and Technology, 77, pp. 2348 - 2354, http://dx.doi.org/10.2166/wst.2018.166
    Journal articles | 2018
    Fisher RM; Barczak RJ; Stuetz RM, 2018, 'Identification of odorant characters using GC-MS/O in biosolids emissions from aerobic and anaerobic stabilisation', Water Science and Technology, 2017, pp. 736 - 742, http://dx.doi.org/10.2166/WST.2018.245
    Journal articles | 2018
    Fisher RM; Barczak RJ; Suffet IHM; Hayes JE; Stuetz RM, 2018, 'Framework for the use of odour wheels to manage odours throughout wastewater biosolids processing', Science of the Total Environment, 634, pp. 214 - 223, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.03.352
    Journal articles | 2018
    Fisher RM; Le-Minh N; Alvarez-Gaitan JP; Moore SJ; Stuetz RM, 2018, 'Emissions of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) throughout wastewater biosolids processing', Science of the Total Environment, 616-617, pp. 622 - 631, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.10.282
    Journal articles | 2017
    Fisher RM; Alvarez-Gaitan JP; Stuetz RM; Moore SJ, 2017, 'Sulfur flows and biosolids processing: Using Material Flux Analysis (MFA) principles at wastewater treatment plants', Journal of Environmental Management, 198, pp. 153 - 162, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.04.056
    Journal articles | 2017
    Fisher RM; Barczak RJ; Alvarez Gaitan JP; Le-Minh N; Stuetz RM, 2017, 'Odorous volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from ageing anaerobically stabilised biosolids', Water Science and Technology, 75, pp. 1617 - 1624, http://dx.doi.org/10.2166/wst.2017.030
    Journal articles | 2017
    Fisher RM; Le-Minh N; Sivret EC; Alvarez-Gaitan JP; Moore SJ; Stuetz RM, 2017, 'Distribution and sensorial relevance of volatile organic compounds emitted throughout wastewater biosolids processing', Science of the Total Environment, 599-600, pp. 663 - 670, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.04.129
    Journal articles | 2017
    Hayes JE; Fisher RM; Stevenson RJ; Mannebeck C; Stuetz RM, 2017, 'Unrepresented community odour impact: Improving engagement strategies', Science of the Total Environment, 609, pp. 1650 - 1658, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.08.013
    Journal articles | 2016
    Fisher RM; Barczak R; Alvarez-Gaitan JP; Stuetz RM, 2016, 'Comparing static headspace and dynamic flux hood measurements of biosolids odour emissions', Chemical Engineering Transactions, 54, pp. 43 - 48, http://dx.doi.org/10.3303/CET1654008
  • Reports | 2017
    Alvarez Gaitan JP; Fisher R; Hayes J; Roser D; Stuetz R, 2017, Assessment and Management of Material Stability in Contemporary Environmental Guidelines for the Use and Disposal of Biosolids Products., NSW EPA
    Conference Papers | 2016
    Barczak R; Fisher R; Wang X; Stuetz R, 2016, 'Odorous VOCs From Biosolids Detected By GC-MS/O', in Proceedings of the Water Environment Federation, Water Environment Federation, U.S., pp. 647 - 658, presented at Odors and Air Pollutants, U.S., 21 March 2016 - 24 March 2016
    Preprints |
    Barczak RJ; Możaryn J; Fisher RM; Stuetz RM, Odour Concentrations Prediction Based on Odorants Concentrations from Biosolid Emissions, , http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4083967
    Preprints |
    Barczak RJ; Możaryn J; Fisher RM; Stuetz RM, Odour Concentrations Prediction Based on Odorants Concentrations from Biosolid Emissions, , http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4083970