Imogen Napper researches the sources and fate of plastic into the marine environment at Plymouth University

Describe your academic/training history and how you got to where you are today.

I didn't have a conventional route into researching plastic pollution. I have an Undergraduate Degree in Biomedical Science and a Master's in Biotechnology. However, I found an issue I was very passionate about and wanted to be apart of the solution. The additional skills and experience I gained have been surprisingly useful in my PhD and has taught me to 'think outside the box'.

Describe a typical workday

My work day can be extremely varied. I could be in the lab analysing samples, delivering lessons to schools or writing up results from an experiment. I especially enjoy the outreach side of research and have been able to incorporate this into my workday. 

What skills are required in your position on a day-to-day basis?

Passion for your research subject. Bigger picture thinking. Creativity

What do you enjoy most about your role?
I really enjoy being able to answer a previously unanswered question. It is then really exciting to see how the answer can benefit the world for the better!

What challenges have you had to overcome?
I've learnt to always prepare for the unexpected. An example being experiment trials not working and having to investigate why. It has definitely taught me to pick myself up and try again.

Give us an interesting fact about you!
I'm an Officer in the Royal Navy Reserves in the Mine Warfare branch.

Why did you become a member of the IMarEST?
I became a member of IMarEST to be surrounded in a community of other marine scientists and colleagues.