ABOUT

Winnie is an environmental scientist with > 10 years of experience researching plastic pollution.

She is a Lecturer in Marine Pollution at Bangor University, UK, (2024 - Present).

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Her scientific studies have led her to research plastic pollution across land and aquatic environments, 

from agricultural soils and coastline to some of the most remote parts of our planet,

including the deep sea and oceanic gyres. 

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After completing her PhD researching Microplastics in the deep sea ecosystem (2019),  Winnie spent 5 years working within the International Marine Litter Research Unit, at the University of Plymouth.  She has extensive experience leading and conducting scientific expeditions, including serving as Science Lead for eXXpedition Round the World, an all-woman sailing voyage researching microplastic pollution in the global ocean.

 

Recent work has focussed on the environmental fate of biodegradable and bio-based plastics, and their associated impacts on organisms and ecosystem function; part of the NERC-funded  'BIO-PLASTIC-RISK ' project.

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​An experienced speaker with a passion for science communication, Winnie has spoken around the world

at conferences and global events including the UN Global Plastics Treaty negotiations and at

the UK and European Parliaments. 

Winnie shares her research on global ocean issues through TV, radio, podcasts and written communication.

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At the science-policy interface, Winnie is a core member of, and working group lead within the Scientists Coalition for An Effective Plastics Treaty, an international network of independent scientists supporting the UN Global Plastics Treaty, and has attended the global Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee meetings.