I am María Belén Alfonso, a researcher and educator dedicated to understanding and addressing plastic pollution in aquatic environments. Currently, I serve as an Associate Professor at Kyushu University’s Center for Ocean Plastic Studies, where my work focuses on microplastics in freshwater and marine systems, the development of standardized monitoring methods, and the harmonization of data to support evidence-based policies.
Beyond my academic role, I coordinate MappA (Monitoring and Analysis of Plastic Pollution in Aquatic Environments), a collaborative project that brings together researchers to study microplastic contamination in lakes, rivers, and reservoirs across Argentina and beyond. I also contribute to international initiatives such as the Global Partnership on Plastic Pollution and Marine Litter (UNEP-GPML), IMDOS, and the AOMI database, strengthening global capacity to generate comparable and high-quality data.
At the heart of my work is the belief that science should not only generate knowledge but also connect people, foster collaboration, and inspire action. Through my projects, I aim to build bridges across disciplines, countries, and communities to advance our understanding of plastic pollution and support solutions for healthier aquatic ecosystems.
Academic Background
Ph.D. in Biology 2018 – Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS), Bahía Blanca, Argentina
B.Sc. in Biology (Ecology) 2013 – Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS), Bahía Blanca, Argentina.
Professional Experience
Associate Professor (2022–Present) – Kyushu University, Research Institute for Applied Mechanics, Center for Ocean Plastic Studies.
AOMI Secretariat member (2022–Present) – Atlas for Ocean Microplastics, Ministry of the Environment, Japan.
Community of Practice on Data Harmonization, UNEP–GPML (2022–Present) – Plastics in the environment.
Integrated Marine Debris Observing System Steering Committee Member (2024–Present) Co-Chair, Surface Plastics Task Team.
Assistant Professor (2021) – Kyushu University, Research Institute for Applied Mechanics. Project: Marine microplastics.
Postdoctoral Researcher (2018–2020) – Argentine Institute of Oceanography (IADO–UNS), funded by CONICET. Project: The presence, characteristics, and effects of microplastics in aquatic systems.