Imari Walker-Franklin, PhD
@dr-imari.bsky.social
Author of Plastics 📚
Scientist 🌊Microplastics Researcher
🎥 YouTuber💙
UCBerkeley Grad👩🏽🔬
Environ Engin. PhD DukeU
She/her Views are my own
Scientist 🌊Microplastics Researcher
🎥 YouTuber💙
UCBerkeley Grad👩🏽🔬
Environ Engin. PhD DukeU
She/her Views are my own
I came across so much litter and plastic pollution on my run. These spoons reminded me of the recent study finding a spoonful of nanoplastics within the brain. While we don’t know how they got there, the environment we pollute can impact us in ways that researchers are rapidly working to understand
September 10, 2025 at 7:43 PM
I came across so much litter and plastic pollution on my run. These spoons reminded me of the recent study finding a spoonful of nanoplastics within the brain. While we don’t know how they got there, the environment we pollute can impact us in ways that researchers are rapidly working to understand
The ABCs of INC 5.2: Asbestos, Brackets, [no] Consensus and Disappointment. Time for rest and to get back to the science.
August 16, 2025 at 1:07 AM
The ABCs of INC 5.2: Asbestos, Brackets, [no] Consensus and Disappointment. Time for rest and to get back to the science.
Reposted by Imari Walker-Franklin, PhD
🇨🇭 Plastics Treaty talks are underway in Geneva.
INC Chair Luis Vayas Valdivieso opened with a clear call:
“The urgency is real, the evidence is clear, and the responsibility is ours.”
💪 Now, countries must find the courage to act.
👀 Follow along for updates from inside the room. #PlasticsTreaty
INC Chair Luis Vayas Valdivieso opened with a clear call:
“The urgency is real, the evidence is clear, and the responsibility is ours.”
💪 Now, countries must find the courage to act.
👀 Follow along for updates from inside the room. #PlasticsTreaty
August 5, 2025 at 10:10 AM
🇨🇭 Plastics Treaty talks are underway in Geneva.
INC Chair Luis Vayas Valdivieso opened with a clear call:
“The urgency is real, the evidence is clear, and the responsibility is ours.”
💪 Now, countries must find the courage to act.
👀 Follow along for updates from inside the room. #PlasticsTreaty
INC Chair Luis Vayas Valdivieso opened with a clear call:
“The urgency is real, the evidence is clear, and the responsibility is ours.”
💪 Now, countries must find the courage to act.
👀 Follow along for updates from inside the room. #PlasticsTreaty
The gavel has been struck today for the second part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution! Excited to observe these negotiations and connect with other experts in this space. #INC52 #plastic
August 5, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Had a fun moment today realizing my most-viewed YouTube video (70K views!) is a short reel on expectations vs. reality for environmental engineers.
Love seeing interest in this interdisciplinary field. If you’re curious, check out the 10-sec short here:
youtube.com/shorts/SX-FN...
Love seeing interest in this interdisciplinary field. If you’re curious, check out the 10-sec short here:
youtube.com/shorts/SX-FN...
Expectation vs Reality of Environmental Engineers and Chemists
YouTube video by Imari Walker
youtube.com
June 19, 2025 at 12:38 AM
Had a fun moment today realizing my most-viewed YouTube video (70K views!) is a short reel on expectations vs. reality for environmental engineers.
Love seeing interest in this interdisciplinary field. If you’re curious, check out the 10-sec short here:
youtube.com/shorts/SX-FN...
Love seeing interest in this interdisciplinary field. If you’re curious, check out the 10-sec short here:
youtube.com/shorts/SX-FN...
#Circularity2025 is now underway and our team is very excited to be here!
Come stop by the RTI International booth #115 and lcheck out our panel tomorrow to ask our Scientists about microplastics and the circular economy.
#Circularity25 #Microplastics #CircularEconomy #AskAScientist
Come stop by the RTI International booth #115 and lcheck out our panel tomorrow to ask our Scientists about microplastics and the circular economy.
#Circularity25 #Microplastics #CircularEconomy #AskAScientist
April 29, 2025 at 7:54 PM
#Circularity2025 is now underway and our team is very excited to be here!
Come stop by the RTI International booth #115 and lcheck out our panel tomorrow to ask our Scientists about microplastics and the circular economy.
#Circularity25 #Microplastics #CircularEconomy #AskAScientist
Come stop by the RTI International booth #115 and lcheck out our panel tomorrow to ask our Scientists about microplastics and the circular economy.
#Circularity25 #Microplastics #CircularEconomy #AskAScientist
Can yall share your favorite Christmas meals and desserts? I’m looking for ideas
December 23, 2024 at 2:30 PM
Can yall share your favorite Christmas meals and desserts? I’m looking for ideas
Reposted by Imari Walker-Franklin, PhD
Nothing is more powerful than celebrating this moment with my husband and child who have been endless sources of support and inspiration.
December 12, 2024 at 1:36 PM
Nothing is more powerful than celebrating this moment with my husband and child who have been endless sources of support and inspiration.
Nothing is more powerful than celebrating this moment with my husband and child who have been endless sources of support and inspiration.
December 12, 2024 at 1:36 PM
Nothing is more powerful than celebrating this moment with my husband and child who have been endless sources of support and inspiration.
Anyone else pack a special pot or utensil to cook your designated dish for Thanksgiving?
I’m currently packing my greens pot and wondering how I became the greens Auntie 😂
I’m currently packing my greens pot and wondering how I became the greens Auntie 😂
November 24, 2024 at 2:38 AM
Anyone else pack a special pot or utensil to cook your designated dish for Thanksgiving?
I’m currently packing my greens pot and wondering how I became the greens Auntie 😂
I’m currently packing my greens pot and wondering how I became the greens Auntie 😂
🚨 Calling all Microplastic and Plastic Pollution Researchers and policy makers!
The Research Triangle Health Collaborative in coordination with RTI International is hosting its 2025 Summit titled, "Local Solutions to a Global Problem: Microplastics in North Carolina".
The Research Triangle Health Collaborative in coordination with RTI International is hosting its 2025 Summit titled, "Local Solutions to a Global Problem: Microplastics in North Carolina".
2025 Summit
environmentalhealthcollaborative.org
November 20, 2024 at 11:43 AM
🚨 Calling all Microplastic and Plastic Pollution Researchers and policy makers!
The Research Triangle Health Collaborative in coordination with RTI International is hosting its 2025 Summit titled, "Local Solutions to a Global Problem: Microplastics in North Carolina".
The Research Triangle Health Collaborative in coordination with RTI International is hosting its 2025 Summit titled, "Local Solutions to a Global Problem: Microplastics in North Carolina".
Reposted by Imari Walker-Franklin, PhD
Hi everyone 👋🏽
My name is Imari and I am a black science communicator that studies the impact of plastics and microplastics to our health and the environment!
I also recently wrote a book on this called plastics.
Would love to connect!
My name is Imari and I am a black science communicator that studies the impact of plastics and microplastics to our health and the environment!
I also recently wrote a book on this called plastics.
Would love to connect!
November 9, 2024 at 1:21 PM
Hi everyone 👋🏽
My name is Imari and I am a black science communicator that studies the impact of plastics and microplastics to our health and the environment!
I also recently wrote a book on this called plastics.
Would love to connect!
My name is Imari and I am a black science communicator that studies the impact of plastics and microplastics to our health and the environment!
I also recently wrote a book on this called plastics.
Would love to connect!
Hi everyone 👋🏽
My name is Imari and I am a black science communicator that studies the impact of plastics and microplastics to our health and the environment!
I also recently wrote a book on this called plastics.
Would love to connect!
My name is Imari and I am a black science communicator that studies the impact of plastics and microplastics to our health and the environment!
I also recently wrote a book on this called plastics.
Would love to connect!
November 9, 2024 at 1:21 PM
Hi everyone 👋🏽
My name is Imari and I am a black science communicator that studies the impact of plastics and microplastics to our health and the environment!
I also recently wrote a book on this called plastics.
Would love to connect!
My name is Imari and I am a black science communicator that studies the impact of plastics and microplastics to our health and the environment!
I also recently wrote a book on this called plastics.
Would love to connect!
I’m back on BlueSky looking for my fellow scientists!
Looking to connect with chemists, biologists, and environmental engineers!
I also research the impacts of microplastics so feel free to follow along!
Where yall at?
Looking to connect with chemists, biologists, and environmental engineers!
I also research the impacts of microplastics so feel free to follow along!
Where yall at?
October 17, 2024 at 10:20 AM
I’m back on BlueSky looking for my fellow scientists!
Looking to connect with chemists, biologists, and environmental engineers!
I also research the impacts of microplastics so feel free to follow along!
Where yall at?
Looking to connect with chemists, biologists, and environmental engineers!
I also research the impacts of microplastics so feel free to follow along!
Where yall at?
Meeting 1 for the @theNASEM Roundtable on Plastics Complete!
It was truly a pleasure to be able to engage in dialogues with so many leaders with diverse expertise and views on plastics. Looking forward to the many more opportunities to come in this space.
It was truly a pleasure to be able to engage in dialogues with so many leaders with diverse expertise and views on plastics. Looking forward to the many more opportunities to come in this space.
March 29, 2024 at 7:46 PM
Meeting 1 for the @theNASEM Roundtable on Plastics Complete!
It was truly a pleasure to be able to engage in dialogues with so many leaders with diverse expertise and views on plastics. Looking forward to the many more opportunities to come in this space.
It was truly a pleasure to be able to engage in dialogues with so many leaders with diverse expertise and views on plastics. Looking forward to the many more opportunities to come in this space.
I am excited to announce I will be a part of a new Roundtable on Plastics with @theNASEM. This roundtable will explore the complex and diverse issues around reducing plastic waste, among other topics.
Learn more:
www.nationalacademies.org/our-work/rou...
Learn more:
www.nationalacademies.org/our-work/rou...
March 18, 2024 at 9:09 PM
I am excited to announce I will be a part of a new Roundtable on Plastics with @theNASEM. This roundtable will explore the complex and diverse issues around reducing plastic waste, among other topics.
Learn more:
www.nationalacademies.org/our-work/rou...
Learn more:
www.nationalacademies.org/our-work/rou...
Alarming new microplastics study: Patients with microplastics identified in their heart had higher risk of stroke, heart attack or death.
Majority of the microplastics were fragmented polyethylene or pvc.
www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....
Majority of the microplastics were fragmented polyethylene or pvc.
www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....
March 7, 2024 at 3:05 AM
Alarming new microplastics study: Patients with microplastics identified in their heart had higher risk of stroke, heart attack or death.
Majority of the microplastics were fragmented polyethylene or pvc.
www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....
Majority of the microplastics were fragmented polyethylene or pvc.
www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....
If you are looking for a new podcast to check out whilst learning about the world of plastic pollution and solutions, I recommend you check out one of these three podcasts.
Plastisphere Podcast @anjakrieger.bsky.social
Indisposables Podcast
Aquathread Podcast
@jambeckresearch.bsky.social
Plastisphere Podcast @anjakrieger.bsky.social
Indisposables Podcast
Aquathread Podcast
@jambeckresearch.bsky.social
February 28, 2024 at 1:23 AM
If you are looking for a new podcast to check out whilst learning about the world of plastic pollution and solutions, I recommend you check out one of these three podcasts.
Plastisphere Podcast @anjakrieger.bsky.social
Indisposables Podcast
Aquathread Podcast
@jambeckresearch.bsky.social
Plastisphere Podcast @anjakrieger.bsky.social
Indisposables Podcast
Aquathread Podcast
@jambeckresearch.bsky.social
Cement lined ductile iron pipes might be a great replacement for lead and PVC pipes transporting drinking water for municipalities.
Ductile iron is slightly more expensive than PVC but lasts much longer and doesn’t leach polymer additives of concern.
www-ehn-org.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.ehn....
Ductile iron is slightly more expensive than PVC but lasts much longer and doesn’t leach polymer additives of concern.
www-ehn-org.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.ehn....
February 26, 2024 at 5:04 PM
Cement lined ductile iron pipes might be a great replacement for lead and PVC pipes transporting drinking water for municipalities.
Ductile iron is slightly more expensive than PVC but lasts much longer and doesn’t leach polymer additives of concern.
www-ehn-org.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.ehn....
Ductile iron is slightly more expensive than PVC but lasts much longer and doesn’t leach polymer additives of concern.
www-ehn-org.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.ehn....
Always a fun time updating my personal website. Let me know what you think www.imariwalker.com
February 25, 2024 at 5:49 PM
Always a fun time updating my personal website. Let me know what you think www.imariwalker.com
100% of the 62 human placentas tested via Py-GC-MS found microplastics ranging from 6.5–685 ug/g placenta tissue with Polyethylene being the dominant plastic type. PVC and nylon were also common.
academic.oup.com/toxsci/advan...
academic.oup.com/toxsci/advan...
February 21, 2024 at 12:10 PM
100% of the 62 human placentas tested via Py-GC-MS found microplastics ranging from 6.5–685 ug/g placenta tissue with Polyethylene being the dominant plastic type. PVC and nylon were also common.
academic.oup.com/toxsci/advan...
academic.oup.com/toxsci/advan...
Reposted by Imari Walker-Franklin, PhD
Many byproducts of PFAS "destruction" methods are other, smaller #PFAS, with unknown toxicity.
In this ES&T Viewpoint led by Sanne Smith we present the need & methods for tracking PFAS destruction methods to mineralisation and not other PFAS.
pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10....
In this ES&T Viewpoint led by Sanne Smith we present the need & methods for tracking PFAS destruction methods to mineralisation and not other PFAS.
pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10....
February 11, 2024 at 8:45 PM
Many byproducts of PFAS "destruction" methods are other, smaller #PFAS, with unknown toxicity.
In this ES&T Viewpoint led by Sanne Smith we present the need & methods for tracking PFAS destruction methods to mineralisation and not other PFAS.
pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10....
In this ES&T Viewpoint led by Sanne Smith we present the need & methods for tracking PFAS destruction methods to mineralisation and not other PFAS.
pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10....
Disturbed by the amount of plastic waste caused by single use plastic masks? Researchers are looking into diverting these masks from
ending up in landfills via new innovations to upcycle those masks into a new product.
Thoughts?
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
ending up in landfills via new innovations to upcycle those masks into a new product.
Thoughts?
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
February 16, 2024 at 11:25 AM
Disturbed by the amount of plastic waste caused by single use plastic masks? Researchers are looking into diverting these masks from
ending up in landfills via new innovations to upcycle those masks into a new product.
Thoughts?
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
ending up in landfills via new innovations to upcycle those masks into a new product.
Thoughts?
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by Imari Walker-Franklin, PhD
Big recommendations for a sustainable circular economy of plastics in this new Nature article:
*50% reduction in plastic demand
*complete phase out of fossil fuel based plastics
*95% recycling rate of plastics
*use of renewable energy
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
*50% reduction in plastic demand
*complete phase out of fossil fuel based plastics
*95% recycling rate of plastics
*use of renewable energy
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
February 13, 2024 at 12:59 PM
Big recommendations for a sustainable circular economy of plastics in this new Nature article:
*50% reduction in plastic demand
*complete phase out of fossil fuel based plastics
*95% recycling rate of plastics
*use of renewable energy
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
*50% reduction in plastic demand
*complete phase out of fossil fuel based plastics
*95% recycling rate of plastics
*use of renewable energy
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Big recommendations for a sustainable circular economy of plastics in this new Nature article:
*50% reduction in plastic demand
*complete phase out of fossil fuel based plastics
*95% recycling rate of plastics
*use of renewable energy
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
*50% reduction in plastic demand
*complete phase out of fossil fuel based plastics
*95% recycling rate of plastics
*use of renewable energy
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
February 13, 2024 at 12:59 PM
Big recommendations for a sustainable circular economy of plastics in this new Nature article:
*50% reduction in plastic demand
*complete phase out of fossil fuel based plastics
*95% recycling rate of plastics
*use of renewable energy
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
*50% reduction in plastic demand
*complete phase out of fossil fuel based plastics
*95% recycling rate of plastics
*use of renewable energy
www.nature.com/articles/s41...