Prof. Ling Jin, Assistant Professor of CEE, was recently interviewed by BBC Wildlife for a feature on the plastisphere, an ecosystem of microbes, algae, fungi and invertebrates, alongside other leading scholars in the field.
The article “‘It’s a disease superhighway.’ The shocking new ecosystem that’s evolving in our oceans” explores the plastisphere, a unique ecosystem that forms on plastic debris in oceans and waterways. When plastics enter the environment, they quickly become colonized by a variety of microorganisms. Prof. Jin emphasizes that the plastisphere is not merely waste but a living habitat with unique microbial communities, including pathogens, that aid species dispersal across oceans. This habitat significantly impacts ecological functions and poses risks of spreading harmful microbes, highlighting urgent research needs to assess plastic's effects on ocean health.
Prof. Jin’s research focuses on human health impacts of air pollution, wildlife health impacts of marine pollution, and ecohealth impacts of solid waste. He actively engages in interdisciplinary research at the intersection of environmental chemistry, toxicology, microbiology, and data science, addressing critical challenges in planetary health. Recently, Prof. Jin was honored with the 2026 James J. Morgan Early Career Award for the Asia Pacific region, recognizing his pioneering contributions to environmental science and technology.
Online Coverage of Prof. Jin’s Interview: https://www.discoverwildlife.com/environment/plastiphere
