IMIS - Marine Onderzoeksgroepen

Dr Catarino and has a strong interest on the impact of anthropogenic activities on aquatic organisms, with a special focus on nano-microplastics (N-MPs) effects and global change. Dr Catarino is interested in identifying and quantifying plastic particles in different compartments of marine ecosystems (seawater, sediments, biota), to be able to inform on exposure and risks. Her current research also focuses on the assessment of the ecotoxicological effects of microplastics in marine organisms. Previously, Dr Catarino worked at the Heriot-Watt University (Edinburgh, UK) on the NERC research project RealRiskNano and as a Marie-Curie Fellow (MARMICROTOX), on quantification of MPs in marine organisms and assessment of the bioavailability of MPs associated co-contaminants using molecular biomarkers. She got her PhD from the Université Libre de Bruxelles (Brussels, Belgium) and worked on global warming and ocean acidification effects in echinoderms. She has worked in collaboration with the Instituto Antártico Chileno and Universidad de Magallanes, and worked as a science communications consultant at Sustainability Consult (Brussels, Belgium). She has a strong interest in science outreach and public engagement and has collaborated with the HWU Athena SWAN, Our Dynamic Earth (science museum, Edinburgh), and the European Commission. Since 2014, Dr Catarino has been an active member of Native Scientist, a volunteer-based network of international scientists created to tackle educational disadvantage through science outreach. She tweets @Zebrazuli and is a member of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC).