Rate My Professor Edith Viirlaid

Viirlaid's research specializes in biosensors for environmental monitoring, particularly the development of platforms for rapid on-site detection of pesticides such as glyphosate and carbaryl in water. Her PhD work involved tyrosinase inhibition-based biosensors for carbaryl (detection range 0.1–20 mg/L, LOD 0.2 mg/L) and competitive fluorescence immunoassays for glyphosate (LOD 406 mg/L, analysis time approximately 37 minutes without pretreatment). She optimized sample stabilization and preconcentration using EDC/NHS chemistry on aminoactivated silica beads and magnetic nanoparticles, maintaining stability for at least one week at room temperature and pH 7. These methods were validated against HPLC/MS in real and spiked water samples. Key publications include "Immunoassay for rapid on-site detection of glyphosate herbicide" (Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 2019, with M. Ilisson, S. Kopantšuk, U. Mäeorg, A. Rinken, T. Rinken) and "Glyphosate attachment on aminoactivated carriers for sample stabilization and concentration" (Agronomy Research, 2015, with R. Riiberg, U. Mäeorg, T. Rinken). Earlier work includes "Transient phase calibration of tyrosinase-based carbaryl biosensor" (Enzyme and Microbial Technology, 2004). Viirlaid received the University of Tartu Lecturer of the Year award in 2018 and the Teaching Staff of the Year award in 2023 for her engaging lectures, practical classes, and dedication in colloidal and environmental chemistry courses, as recognized by student feedback.