The emerging field of research on marine litter and microplastics in the environment is still in its developmental stage. There is a lack of standardization and robust, accessible and rapid technology for sampling, processing and identificaiton of microplastic. I am currently investigating alternative methods for chemical analysis of polymers in environmental samples. My focus is on the development of infrared hyperspectral imaging as a tool for high throughput polymer identification.

My main research interests include: effects of weathering on hyperspectral signatures, contributions of pigments and additives to hindrance of identificaiton, use of machine learning in combination with hyperspectral data for classification, development of optical systems to combine hyperspectral imaging and microscopy, methodological comparisons between hyperspectral imaging, Raman spectroscopy and FTIR.