Ms Georgina Savage

I am an early-career marine biologist, ecotoxicologist and environmental chemist with a particular interest in anthropogenic pollutants including plastic and emerging contaminants, and their impacts on vulnerable marine ecosystems. I am currently a Postdoctoral Research Associate on the interdisiplinary CRCRM-funded project Microfluidic Approach for Rapid Discovery of Enzymes for Microplastic Breakdown and Environmental Impacts. This project aims to advance our understanding of microplastic waste degradation by harnessing state-of-the-art microfluidic technologies and the rapid evolution of biocatalysts to target a range of synthetic and biodegradable plastics. My research within this project investigates the ecotoxiciological effects of enzymatically degraded polymers and their breakdown products on marine organisms, contributing to the development of safe-by-design plastics that minimise environmental harm throughout their lifecycle.

Prior to this role, I was involves in a large international GCRF-funded project Reducing the Impacts of Plastic Waste in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, as part of the Pacific Plastic: Science to Solution Network. My research within this project focused on the rapid assessment of chemical contaminants including microplastics, pesticies, pharmecutical and personal care products using novel passive sampling tools and handheld analytical devices across aquatic environments of the Galapagos Archipelago.