Leader

Project Manager

Chief Oceanographer

Chief Spectroscopist

Dr Shima Ziajahromi is a lecturer at the School of Environment and Science, Australian Rivers Institute (ARI) at Griffith University, where she completed her PhD on microplastics in wastewater treatment plants and their toxic effects. Her research focuses on the occurrence and fate of micro and nanoplastics in the environment and their impact on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. She is also passionate about advocating for policies, regulations, and mitigation strategies to address the challenges posed by microplastic pollution in Australia

Dr Brad Clarke is currently a Chief Investigator in the Australian Laboratory for Emerging Contaminants (ALEC) and a Senior Lecturer in Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry at the University of Melbourne (UoM). Prior he was Program Manager of Environmental Science at RMIT University (Melbourne, Australia) 2016-2019 and has held research positions at Imperial College (London) and the University of Arizona.

Brad’s industry-aligned research focuses on assessing the risk to public health and the environment from legacy and emerging persistent organic pollutants. These include per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), brominated flame retardants (BFRs), and microplastics.

Dr Nina Wootton is a lecturer in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Adelaide, where she works within the Marine Ecology Group. Her research spans marine plastic pollution, blue carbon, and science education, with a particular focus on developing practical, multidisciplinary solutions to environmental challenges. She leads national and international projects on microplastic sampling methods, supports Indigenous-led marine conservation programs, and works closely with government and industry to reduce plastic pollution. She is also passionate about science communication and improving ocean literacy through outreach, education, and policy engagement.

Dr Patrick Reis Santos is a marine ecologist with a particular interest in fish ecology, conservation, and management. His research at the University of Adelaide spans fish population connectivity, seafood provenance, including mislabeling and quality, and the impacts of emerging contaminants in marine ecosystems. He uses chemical signatures and other natural tags stored in fish tissues to track migrations, reconstruct life histories, and assess the impacts of pollution and environmental changes on movement, growth, and recruitment. Patrick also applies these approaches to support seafood provenance and sustainable seafood production. He has a strong interest in understanding the occurrence and effects of emerging contaminants, such as microplastics and pharmaceuticals on marine ecosystems, including from a seafood perspective. He is committed to supporting the conservation of critical habitats, advancing fisheries management, and developing solutions to mitigate plastic pollution, through collaboration with industry, government agencies, and active engagement and outreach.