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Microplastics in Our Backyard: Science Meets Community Webinar Series

• Wednesday, October 1, 2025, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
• Wednesday, November 12, 2025, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
• Wednesday, December 3, 2025, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

October through December, join New York Sea Grant and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County for a lunchtime webinar series featuring expert speakers who will explain what microplastics are, what solutions are being developed to deal with them, and what research is being conducted to help us better understand them. Webinars will take place online and will.

Title: Microplastics Explained

Date: 10/1/25

Time: 12pm - 1pm

Speaker: Catherine Prunella, Water Quality Extension Specialist, New York Sea Grant

Description: Microplastics are found everywhere scientists look. Where do microplastics come from, and how do they impact our environment? Join this webinar to explore the sources and pathways of marine debris and microplastics. Learn about what is being done to combat this growing problem, from cutting-edge technology to household solutions. Catherine will discuss research by Columbia University in partnership with New York Sea Grant to develop a filter in laundry machines to capture microplastics from clothing, and a robot that uses artificial intelligence to identify and remove plastics floating in water.

About the Speaker: Catherine Prunella is a Water Quality Extension Specialist with New York Sea Grant. Based in New York City, she works with residents, businesses, non-profit organizations, communities, and agencies to address water pollution, specifically microplastics, emerging contaminants, and marine debris.

Title: Technology Solutions for Microplastics with PolyGone Systems

Date: 11/12/25

Time: 12pm - 1pm

Speaker: Yidian Liu & Nathaniel Banks, Polygone Systems, Co-Founders

Description: PolyGone Systems is a private start-up that builds systems for capturing microplastics from waterways to help safeguard water quality, human health, and aquatic ecosystems. Come learn about their innovative technology, how it has evolved over the years, and their connection to the Hudson River!

About the Speakers: Yidian Liu is the Co-founder and COO of PolyGone Systems, Inc. and a Forbes 30 under 30 Fellow. She oversees company operations, resource accrual, and team management. She is a trained designer with a master’s degree in architecture from Princeton University and a Bachelor’s from Syracuse University.

Title: Microplastics Research in the Hudson River Estuary

Date: 12/3/25

Time: 12pm - 1pm

Speaker: Dr. Sarah Cadieux, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), Earth & Environmental Sciences Professor & Researcher

Description: Join us for a talk about microplastic pollution in the Upper Hudson River Estuary. We'll share findings from our community science research project, which combines water sampling with creative education initiatives including an art-based awareness campaign. This talk will highlight both the science behind this emerging environmental challenge and community-based approaches to address plastic pollution in our waterways.

About the Speaker: Dr. Sarah Cadieux is an RPI Earth and Environmental Sciences professor and researcher who takes an interdisciplinary approach to understanding biogeochemical cycling within freshwater systems by combining limnology, aquatic chemistry, isotope biogeochemistry, sedimentology and geomicrobiology. She is researching microplastics contamination in local surface water and drinking water. Sarah is doing research in our local drinking watershed, and using NATURE Lab as the site for processing samples and recording data.

Fee

FREE

Register

https://www.cceevents.org/e/microplastics-webinar-series-microplastics-explain

Location

This event is online

Last updated September 9, 2025