Sharfudeen Yasar Arafath
Ph.D. | Postdoctoral Fellow | Environmental Analytical Scientist
I am a Postdoctoral Fellow in Environmental Analytical Chemistry at the University of Regina, Canada.
I develop trace-level PFAS and micropollutant methods by Mass Spectrometry, and build Python and R pipelines that turn complex instrument data into decision-ready results.
Wastewater Epidemiology
Monitoring community health in real-time by analyzing biomarkers and illicit drugs in sewage systems.
PFAS & Trace Analysis
Trace-level PFAS and micropollutant methods by LC-MS/MS — from SPE clean-up to full validation under US EPA and ICH guidelines.
Environmental Data Science
Leveraging Python & R to uncover hidden trends and visualize complex environmental datasets.
About Me
Yasar Arafath S
Postdoctoral Fellow & Analytical Scientist
M.Sc. in Chemistry
B.Sc. in ChemistryBiography
I am a Postdoctoral Fellow in Environmental Analytical Chemistry at the University of Regina, where I develop and validate trace-level LC-MS/MS methods for PFAS in environmental waters and lead regional field-sampling campaigns for agricultural dugouts across Saskatchewan.
I completed my Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering at Pusan National University (2026), with a thesis on assessing community lifestyle patterns and health status using Wastewater-Based Epidemiology (WBE). Over five years there I developed and validated five multi-residue LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS methods across wastewater, river water, drinking water, sludge, and sediment, and published in Water Research and Science of The Total Environment.
With 6+ years of prior pharmaceutical QC experience at Strides Pharma, Syngene, and Amway, I bring expertise in method validation, regulatory compliance, and quality control, adhering to GMP, GLP, FDA, and ISO standards. I am passionate about leveraging analytical chemistry and data science to address environmental challenges and support evidence-based decision-making in public health and sustainability.
Experience
Postdoctoral Fellow, Environmental Analytical Chemistry
2026 - Present
University of Regina Regina, SK, Canada
- Develop and validate trace-level LC-MS/MS methods for PFAS in environmental waters — SPE clean-up, isotope-dilution quantitation, matrix-effect evaluation, and LOD/LOQ determination per US EPA methodology.
- Plan and execute regional field sampling campaigns for agricultural dugouts across Saskatchewan — sampling design, chain of custody, preservation and transport, and field QC (blanks, duplicates, spikes).
- Investigate the occurrence, fate, and treatment of emerging pollutants in prairie water sources, translating analytical results into decision-ready reports for academic and stakeholder audiences.
- Manage laboratory operations: instrument logbooks, calibration and preventive maintenance scheduling, chemical inventory, SOP authoring, and WHMIS safety and waste-handling compliance.
- Mentor graduate and undergraduate students in instrumental analysis and QA/QC practice; contribute to grant proposals and peer-reviewed manuscripts.
Research Scientist
2021 - 2026
Pusan National University Busan, South Korea
- Developed and validated five LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS methods — multi-residue pharmaceuticals (100+ compounds), pesticides (210 compounds), acrylamide, THC-COOH, and chiral analysis — across wastewater, river water, drinking water, sludge, and sediment.
- Led wastewater-based epidemiology studies quantifying population-level consumption of illicit drugs and lifestyle chemicals, including enantiomeric (chiral) profiling, to inform public health policy.
- Supported PFAS and QAC method development; performed instrument troubleshooting, maintenance, and validation while upholding strict data integrity and reproducible laboratory practice.
- Built automated Python and R workflows for non-target screening, statistics, and visualization; co-authored peer-reviewed publications in Water Research and STOTEN, and participated in international interlaboratory studies with the SCORE network.
Senior Executive, Quality Control
2020 - 2021
Strides Pharma Science Limited Bengaluru, India
- Executed release and stability testing for 50+ oral solid dosage samples weekly using HPLC-UV/PDA/RI/CAD (Chromeleon SR2.5).
- Led OOS/OOT investigations and implemented CAPA with QA, ensuring compliance with global regulatory standards (FDA/MHRA).
- Optimized laboratory workflows and data management systems, reducing overall sample processing time by 20%.
- Awarded Dream Team Award (2020) for excellence in quality control operations and cross-functional collaboration.
Senior Executive, Quality Control
2018 - 2020
Syngene International Limited Bengaluru, India
- Analyzed over 200 pharmaceutical samples monthly with 99% accuracy using Chromeleon SR2.5, ensuring strict adherence to GLP/GMP guidelines.
- Executed risk-based cleaning validation protocols for multi-product manufacturing suites to prevent cross-contamination.
- Optimized LIMS workflows to enhance sample tracking efficiency and boost laboratory throughput by 15%.
- Conducted method transfer and verification for new API products, ensuring seamless transition from development to QC.
Officer, Quality Control
2015 - 2018
Amway India Enterprises Madurai, India
- Validated analytical methods (UPLC, GC, ICP-OES) for nutraceuticals using Empower 3 CDS, in strict compliance with USP and AOAC standards.
- Managed facility water system validation and routine environmental monitoring to maintain cGMP conditions.
- Performed comprehensive testing of raw materials and finished products to guarantee product quality and safety.
- Maintained robust laboratory documentation and participated in safety audits to ensure a zero-harm workplace.
Technical Expertise
Orbitrap
QTRAP
LC-MS
UPLC
Fischer
Validation
17025
Sampling
Hunter
Discoverer
Native
Pro
Working
Basic
Certifications
By Platform
By Year
Key Certifications
Selected Publications
Site-specific assessment of illicit drug consumption patterns in South Korea via wastewater-based epidemiology
Water Research (2025) | Vol. 287 (Part B), 124487
YA Sharfudeen, M Kim, D Kim, HJ Cha, JE Oh
Analyzed illicit drug consumption patterns in South Korea using wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) across five distinct areas. Methamphetamine was the most frequently detected substance, with usage patterns varying significantly by site type.
Distribution and ecological risk assessment of priority water pollutants in surface river sediments
Chemosphere (2024) | Vol. 352, 141275
W Sim, OD Ekpe, EH Lee, SY Arafath, M Lee, KH Kim, JE Oh
Investigated the distribution of priority water pollutants in surface river sediments. Assessed the ecological risks posed by these pollutants to inform water quality management.
Tracking methamphetamine and amphetamine consumption patterns in South Korea via enantiomeric analysis
Science of the Total Environment (2023) | Vol. 905, 166910
YA Sharfudeen, HJ Cha, JE Oh
Utilized enantiomeric analysis to differentiate between illicit methamphetamine use and therapeutic consumption. Revealed widespread illegal use of S-(+)-METH across 27 WWTPs.
Controlled green synthesis of polymer functionalized zinc oxide nanoparticles
Green Reports (2020) | Vol. 1(1), 16-20
P Jerome, SY Arafath, SG Babu
Developed a green strategy for preparing uniform zinc oxide nanoparticles using poly(4-vinylbenzoic acid) as a capping agent.
Effect of 2‐Bromopyridine Ancillary Ligand in the Catalysis of Pd (II)‐NNN Pincer Complexes
ChemistrySelect (2019) | Vol. 4(7), 12237-12241
P Jerome, SY Arafath, J Haribabu, NSP Bhuvanesh, R Karvembu
Investigated enhanced catalytic efficiency of Palladium(II) complexes with NNN pincer ligands for Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling.