Imogen Napper Email & Phone Number

Marine scientist, Dr Imogen Napper, is a Research Fellow and National Geographic Explorer based at the University of Plymouth. As a keen surfer, she began noticing the effects of plastic contamination on beaches and her passion to be part of the solution arose. Imogen received a PhD at the University of Plymouth, researching the sources of plastic into the marine environment.Research:1. Imogen did the first research piece that specifically analysed different fabric types (such as polyester) to further understand how many plastic fibres come off during clothes washing. Her research found that up to 700,000 fibres could potentially come off from a single wash of acrylic clothing. Following this research, Imogen worked to identify the most effective technology for capturing the tiny microplastic fibres that are released when modern clothes are washed. 2. Her work helped influence the ban of microbeads in cosmetics internationally, where she found over 3 million plastic particles could be in one bottle of main brand facial scrub. 3. Imogen's recent research found that biodegradable bags can still hold a full load of shopping after being submerged in the ocean, or buried in soil, after 3 years and is using this research to push for clearer labelling and improved standards for such materials. 4. Working alongside the National Geographic Everest Expedition team, Imogen led the microplastic research element where they found microplastic in every snow sample taken (from basecamp to just below the summit). This research gained a Guiness World Record for the highest microplastics every recorded.5. Additionally, Imogen was an expedition scientist on the National Geographic ‘Sea to Source; Ganges Expedition’. As the microplastic lead, Imogen is investigating microplastics in a major river system. The data collected will help us to better understand the movement of plastic through a river and the repercussions it can have. Their team predicted that up to 3 billion microplastics could be discharged from the Ganges into the Ocean everyday.

Listed skills include Research, Science, Teamwork, Pcr, and 16 others.