There is a lot of buzz about microplastics these days, including some scary headlines. In this talk we will discuss what they are, where they are, where they come from, what happens to them in the environment, and what they do to the organisms that they interact with. We will discuss the mismatch between the types and concentration of microplastics in the environment along with the types and concentrations generally used in laboratory studies of effects. Finally, we will touch upon what you can do to reduce their input into the environment.
About: Dr. Weis
Dr. Judith S. Weis is Professor Emerita of Biological Sciences at Rutgers University, Newark. Her research is on estuarine ecology and ecotoxicology. She has published over 200 refereed scientific papers; books for the general public on salt marshes, fish, crabs, and marine pollution; and technical books on marine pollution, and biological invasions and animal behavior.
Dr. Weis is interested in stresses in estuaries and their effects on organisms, populations, and communities. She is on the editorial board for Bioscience — a peer-reviewed, heavily cited, monthly journal with content written and edited for accessibility to researchers, educators, and students alike. She is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and was a Fulbright Fellow in Indonesia. She served on advisory committees for EPA, NOAA and NAS, serves on the NYC Waterfront Management Advisory Board, and chairs the Science Advisory Board of NJ DEP.
Dr. Weis chaired the Biology Section of AAAS and was president of the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS). She received the Merit Award from the Society of Wetland Scientists.
This is a free program.
Advanced reservations are required for all events. For more information, reservations, and directions to meeting places, please call: (631) 537-9735.
