We aim to elevate women’s voices,
research and experiences in marine science.
These are stories from our community that connect and inspire us.
Women in the Lab: An Interview with Dr. Winnie Courtene-Jones, plastic pollution expert
Meet Dr. Winnie Courtene-Jones, a plastic pollution expert working within the University of Plymouth’s International Marine Litter Research Unit, where she leads scientific investigation for eXXpedition, an all-female team sailing around the world researching plastic pollution.
Up close and personal with Microplastics
Microplastics are everywhere. Every sample I have analysed, from sediments to fish tissue, has contained tens if not hundreds of plastic particles of different shapes and sizes. I work as a plastic pollution researcher at the University of Toronto, where a large part of my work involves testing and developing methods to analyse microplastics from environmental samples.
Marine Plastics in Scotland – An Interview with Lola Paradinas
Lola Paradinas is a passionate PhD researcher working at the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), based in Oban on the west coast of Scotland. She grew up on a sailing boat for the first ten years of her life circumnavigating the globe. Being in constant contact with the sea, she learnt to appreciate, respect and protect the marine environment.
Throwing it All Away: How United States Preemption Laws Undermine Plastic Pollution Progress
Plastic Pollution is one of the biggest problems facing the marine environment today. Plastic waste can often be found as litter along the side of the road or places where people gather like the beach. Even when disposed of properly, some plastic, like carryout bags and straws can be transported by the wind and often ends up in the nearest body of water. As we look to reducing single-use plastic consumption, it’s important to look at some of the policies in place.
Some Need Straws
At the age of 12, I was on vacation and asked to assist in an emergency wild sea turtle nest removal mission. That day was the a catalyst of my career and my life to protecting nature as a field biologist. I left my home during the pandemic and travelled across the US to work under the National Park Service as a Kemp’s Ridley Biotech. So yeah, I love sea turtles. But I can’t be fully on board with the straw ban.
Investigating Plastic Pollution: An Interview with Dr. Imogen Napper
Plastic derived from the Greek plastikos meaning ‘capable of being shaped or moulded’, is a long lasting, cheap and strong product that can be found everywhere. The miracle material with its ideal properties for manufacturing is at the heart of a global epidemic. The properties that once made plastic an ideal product also make it a gravely problematic one, a result of our throwaway culture. To date, over 300 million tons of plastic is produced each year, of which 8 million tons finds it’s way into our oceans yearly.
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