About: Michelle is an environmental organic chemist whose current research focuses on the fate and transport of current-use pesticides and other organic contaminants in aquatic and terrestrial environments. Much of her research is focused on pesticides but also includes other organic contaminants. She directs a USGS research laboratory that is focused on developing new methods to measure pesticides and their degradates in water, sediment, and biota. Her laboratory specializes in small samples sizes, complex matrices, and non-standard procedues. Additionally, she also works on developing methods and measuring disinfection by-products in treated water (especially those that are not-currently regulated and are understudied) with a focus on wastewater discharges.  

About: Marlene is Associate Professor in Regulatory Science at the Department of Environmental Science at Stockholm University. Her work is situated at the critical science-policy interface, focusing on the risk assessment and management of chemicals. She is particularly interested in how scientific data is integrated into decision-making and how we can improve the management of chemicals.

Most pressing issue: For me, the most pressing issue is the transition from knowledge to action. We already know that chemical pollution is a significant problem, and we have promising solutions for it. However, what we lack is concrete action on national, EU, and global levels. Closing this gap between what we know and what we do is essential to ensuring a non-toxic environment.

Top tip for a new researcher: Always let the goal, to protect the environment, lead your research. If you keep the goal in sight, it will guide your methodology and your impact. Also, I sometimes look to the words of Nobel Laureate Michael Levitt for inspiration: be passionate, be persistent, be original, be kind and good. Lastly, I would also like to emphasise the importance of protecting your mental health. Here, my best advice is simple but effective: don't work with toxic people! Surrounding yourself with a supportive, collaborative community makes all the difference.

About: Pernilla Sörme has worked in the pharma sector for over 20 years. She now works with the non-for-profit organisation My Green Lab, where she serves as the project lead to continually update and improve the My Green Lab Certification Program. She also develops the technical resources and research to support green lab best practices as well as program support in the implementation of the My Green Lab program across the industry.