Alex is a recent graduate from the Department of Chemistry at the University of Waterloo, where he conducted his research under the supervision of Dr. John Honek. He has a long-standing connection with the University of Waterloo, having also completed his undergraduate degree there. In addition to his own experience, both of Alex’s parents are also alumni of the university’s Faculty of Science.
As a member of the Microplastics Fingerprinting project, Alex contributed to a multidisciplinary initiative involving over 30 team members, including faculty, graduate students, and support staff. The team’s diverse expertise brings a holistic perspective to tackling the complex challenges of plastic pollution.
Alex’s research focused on using enzymes to break down polyethylene and analyzing the resulting products with a technique called high-temperature nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. He also collaborated with his supervisor to develop and characterize fluorescent plastic-sensing peptides designed to label microplastics based on their polymer composition.
Alex’s passion for addressing environmental issues through chemistry began in 2016 when he presented his work on silver nanoparticle pollution at the Canada-Wide Science Fair. During his undergraduate studies at the University of Waterloo, he gained experience analyzing and developing pyrolysis biofuels at CanmetENERGY and devising methods to analyze oil spill-contaminated seawater while at Environment and Climate Change Canada. These experiences naturally led him to join the Microplastics Fingerprinting project as part of his Master’s degree.
Currently, Alex is working with his supervisor to publish their findings, making them accessible to the wider scientific community. Looking ahead, he aims to transition to a career outside of academia while continuing to contribute to our understanding of environmental challenges.