External Seminar Series

Democratizing and enhancing microplastics science and monitoring with innovative technologies and capabilities

Anna Posacka, PhD

Chief Scientist
Ocean Diagnostics Inc
https://www.oceandiagnostics.com/

Thursday, March 9, 10:30 to 11:30 am (PST) on ZOOM

Abstract: “In this talk Anna will introduce Ocean Diagnostics Inc (ODI), an emerging Canadian company developing technologies and services to monitor and prevent ocean plastic pollution and biodiversity loss. Specifically, our aim is to overcome the technical challenges and inefficiencies of current sampling and analysis methods for microplastics and make collection of robust data by scientists, decision-makers, and the public more accessible. Further, through partnerships with academia, government, eNGOs and community scientists we seek to advance the state of knowledge on plastics and fill data gaps through our open access database Marianna. Anna is a Chief Scientist at ODI and has been researching plastic pollution since 2018. This includes studies on microplastic releases from textiles, their inputs, fate and discharge via municipal wastewater systems, their movement throughout the Arctic’s Beluga whale food web and the development of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques to identify weathered textile fibers. This experience has shown that while microplastics are prevalent, our ability to fully understand their exposure, behaviour and risks is limited by both low throughput and precision of existing laboratory techniques. This led Anna to ODI where she leads a growing team of scientists and engineers developing efficient laboratory capabilities for routine microplastic testing, identification, and characterization."