Discussion Panel

Plastics in the Anthropocene: Problems and Solutions
11:30 am - 1:00 pm, IGAB Atrium

Panelists:

Dr. Patricia Corcoran  
Associate Professor and Department Chair of Earth Sciences at the University of Western Ontario

PCorcoran.jpg

Dr. Patricia Corcoran is an Associate Professor and Department Chair of Earth Sciences at the University of Western Ontario. Her research focuses on natural and anthropogenic sedimentary deposits. One significant element of her research over the past decade is the distribution, accumulation and degradation of plastic debris in marine and fresh water shoreline and lake bottom sediments. Her work is supported by government and university grants, and has been featured in numerous media outlets, including National Geographic Magazine, Science Magazine, Science et Vie, the New York Times and CBC's The National.

 

Dr. Stephanie Borrelle
David H. Smith Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Georgia, with Ocean Conservancy at the University of Toronto

Borelle.jpg

Dr Stephanie Borrelle is a David H. Smith Fellow, and has a background in marine biology and environmental science. Based at The University of Toronto and affiliated with Ocean Conservancy, and the University of Georgia, Stephanie’s research aims to quantify the relative impacts of policy interventions for reducing plastic emissions to the environment. Her research applies ecological population modelling techniques to evaluate how different mitigation strategies contribute to reducing plastic entering the aquatic ecosystems globally. The model incorporates the mechanistic pathways by which plastic enters the ocean, from production - to use - to waste management and leakage of plastic debris into the oceans, identifying and quantifying pools of plastic and sources of plastic pollution. This knowledge is an important component of connecting conservation goals of reducing the impacts from marine plastic pollution on biodiversity, ecosystems and the services they provide to the development of effective policy responses at the national and international level.

 

Dr. Amar Mohanty
Premier's Research Chair in Biomaterials & Transportation at the University of Guelph

 

Hasitha de Alwis Weerasekera
Director of Biochemistry, Genecis Bioindustries

 

Join us for a discussion on plastic pollution to hear about some of the issues surrounding plastics and possible alternatives and solutions. A discussion by professionals in the field of plastics research will be followed by an open session for questions from the audience.
Topics areas to be addressed include:
 Fate of plastics in the environment
 Environmental and ecosystem impacts of plastic pollution
 Green materials as alternative to contemporary plastics
 The breakdown and environmental impacts of green materials
 Adoption of, and investment in, green materials by industry
 Recommendations of possible solutions, including both engineered and policy-based