Chemical Journeys

67:16

Uncovering chemical biodegradation in the environment...

Chemical Journeys ·

2026/03/02

In this episode I speak with Prof. Kathrin Fenner, one of the leading academic scientists in the study of chemical biodegradation and environmental persistence. Kathrin and I have a far-reaching conversation covering her background and research interests, challenges and developments in chemical biodegradation research, and implications for policy and society. We have learned an enormous amount about the fate and persistence of chemicals in recent years, and the work of Kathrin and h...

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65:46

Chemicals in our language - Joanna Gavins, University...

Chemical Journeys ·

2026/01/29

In this episode I speak with Joanna Gavins, who is a professor of English Language and Literature at the University of Sheffield. Joanna and I discuss the language we use and how this influences the way we think, feel and act in relation to choices we make, the environment, and chemicals. We start off by discussing the work Joanna has been doing at the Bio-based and Biodegradable Industries Association (BBIA) on how to effectively communicate information about sustainability to consumer...

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55:16

Early career journeys in academia and beyond - Fola...

Chemical Journeys ·

2026/01/12

Happy 2026, and welcome to Chemical Journeys Season 2! In this episode, I speak with Dr. Fola Ogungbemi, Senior Expert in Product Compliance at Currenta. Fola and I talk about his career journey so far, from student in ecotoxicology to senior regulatory consultant. We discuss experiences of early career scientists finding their next steps after completing a PhD, adapting to working in different sectors, the importance of staying open for continuous growth and learning, and the value of mentor...

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82:00

Putting yourself in a regulator's shoes - Watze de Wolf

Chemical Journeys ·

2025/11/19

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Watze de Wolf. Watze has had a long and accomplished career working as a scientist and manager in both industry and regulatory settings, including 15 years working at the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). We have a wide-ranging discussion about his experiences and observations of how chemicals management has evolved over recent decades, and attempt to provide a diagnosis for the current situation and outlook for the years ahead. &nb...

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55:13

A tool to improve your regulatory foresight - Steven...

Chemical Journeys ·

2025/10/27

In this episode I speak with Dr. Steven Brennan, co-founder and CEO of Foresight. Foresight is a software platform that helps organizations to make sense of complex and fast moving chemical regulations, so they can always be ready for what's coming next. Steven and I have a nice conversation that shows how he turned his years of regulatory experience into a software solution that solves a key challenge - how to get access to key insights faster to understand and manage regulatory change.&...

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61:39

Getting a grip on environmental persistence – Irene...

Chemical Journeys ·

2025/10/06

What happens to the chemicals we use in everyday life once they enter the environment?In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Irene Bramke, Senior Environmental Risk Assessor at AstraZeneca. Irene and I have a detailed discussion about persistence (how long it takes for chemicals to break down in the environment). With recent concerns around plastic pollution, PFAS 'forever chemicals', and broader sustainability goals, the persistence of chemicals in the environment has become one of the most

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40:05

Powering progress in chemicals assessment science -...

Chemical Journeys ·

2025/09/15

In this episode I speak with Dr Katherine Santizo, Programme Manager of Cefic's Long-range Research Initiative (LRI). Since 1999, Cefic-LRI has funded over 250 projects (totaling approximately €90 million) to advance the scientific assessment of the safety of chemicals, and to improve understanding of potential health and environmental risks. Tune in to hear first-hand from Katherine about the exciting work that Cefic-LRI does, and how this is helping to deliver progress in chemicals as...

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50:51

Green chemistry in practice - Anna Zhenova, Green...

Chemical Journeys ·

2025/09/08

In this episode I speak with Dr Anna Zhenova of Green Rose Chemistry. Green Rose Chemistry are a mission-driven consultancy applying the principles of green chemistry to help organisations to develop more sustainable products and processes. Our conversation covers: What does Green Rose Chemistry do?Green chemistry as a grass roots movement - the need for education and champions within organisationsHow different sectors are at varying stages on the green chemistry journeyThe importance of la...

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56:01

Serving the regulatory compliance community - Janet...

Chemical Journeys ·

2025/08/06

In this episode, I speak with Janet Greenwood of TT Environmental. Janet has been working for many years in chemicals safety and regulatory compliance, and runs a community of regulatory professionals (the Chemical Regulations Self Help Group) here in the UK, and a regular newsletter (Chemicals Coffee Time) with over 4000 subscribers across the globe. Janet therefore brings an important perspective from regulatory professionals and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) working 'on t...

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76:43

The dual revolution of AI and animal-free science -...

Chemical Journeys ·

2025/07/28

In this episode I speak with Professor Thomas Hartung. Prof Hartung is Doerenkamp-Zbinden Chair of Evidence-based Toxicology at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Konstanz. He also holds positions as Director of the Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT) and Field Chief Editor of the academic journal Frontiers in AI, and was the 2025 recipient of the prestigious Peter Singer Prize. We have ...

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48:19

Working together to advance chemical safety - Blanca...

Chemical Journeys ·

2025/07/21

In this episode I speak with Dr. Blanca Serrano Ramón, Secretary General of the European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals (ECETOC). ECETOC is a scientific organisation that brings together experts from industry, academia and regulatory bodies to tackle challenges and deliver solutions for chemical safety. Through its range of task forces, events and coordination activities, ECETOC is working across the full spectrum of chemical hazard and risk assessment topics, incl...

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54:10

Decoding messages from nature - Andrew Johnson, UK...

Chemical Journeys ·

2025/07/09

In this episode I speak with Andrew Johnson, Environmental Research Scientist at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology and Visiting Professor at Brunel University. Andrew and I have a fascinating discussion about the current state of scientific research and public discourse on chemicals, and how a different approach might ultimately lead to better outcomes for wildlife. Our conversation covers: Andrew's background and research interestsWhat's wrong with the way we do research on...

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53:30

How should society manage the use of chemicals? A...

Chemical Journeys ·

2025/06/30

In this episode I am joined by Todd Gouin of TG Environmental Research. Todd and I have a far-reaching discussion about the science and policy of chemicals in the environment. Our conversation covers: Todd's career journey and the role of Don MackayThe concept of environmental persistenceTools for chemicals management and the evolving policy landscapeExposure assessment and risk assessment - the importance of considering exposure in addressing chemical risksHow sustainability is changin...

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23:04

How should we expect the new hazard classes under EU...

Chemical Journeys ·

2025/06/10

In this episode I share an article discussing the new hazard classes under the EU CLP regulation, and what this might mean for chemicals management more broadly. As a reminder, the new CLP hazard classes are: Endocrine disruptors (ED) for human health and the environment;Persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT); very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB); andPersistent, mobile and toxic (PMT); very persistent and very mobile (vPvM).I also share some insights on what has been hap...

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71:34

Investigating the fate of chemicals in the...

Chemical Journeys ·

2025/04/28

On this episode I speak with Gabriel Sigmund, Assistant Professor at Wageningen University and Research, and board member of the International Panel on Chemical Pollution (IPCP). We discuss: Gabriel’s background and research interestsHow the fate of charged organic compounds differs from neutral compoundsThe issue of mobility in the environment and the concern around persistent, mobile and toxic (PMT) substancesComplex interactions controlling sorption and other fate processes in soilThe ongo...

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63:42

Tending the environmental science ecosystem - Sabine...

Chemical Journeys ·

2025/04/07

Ahead of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) annual European conference in Vienna (11-15th May), I caught up with Sabine Apitz, SETAC Europe President and Editor-in-Chief of the academic journal Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management (IEAM). Sabine and I had a fascinating discussion about environmental science, the scientific community, and the emergence and application of scientific knowledge. We discussed some of the pressing issues and challenges...

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75:04

Advancing the science of regulatory assessments for...

Chemical Journeys ·

2025/03/24

In this episode I speak with Delina Lyon, Science Executive for Environment at Concawe. Del and I dive deep into the regulatory assessment of complex substances. This issue still presents a wicked challenge for industry and regulators alike, and Concawe's work is right at the forefront of this. Our conversation covers: What is Concawe?Del's role at ConcaweEnvironmental assessment of petroleum substances under REACHDel's early career and switch from academia to industryReflections ...

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95:47

Addressing environmental challenges while improving...

Chemical Journeys ·

2025/03/12

In this episode I speak with Jason Snape. Jason is a Research Professor in sustainable healthcare and environmental sustainability at the University of York, and prior to that was Global Head of Environment at AstraZeneca. Our discussion covers: Jason's career journey to dateHis move into academia and future research goalsSustainable healthcare in developing economiesReflections on regulatory persistence assessmentsEnvironmental safety within the pharmaceutical sectorThe threat of antim...

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64:59

Untangling sustainability in the apparel industry -...

Chemical Journeys ·

2025/02/25

In this episode I am joined by Libby Sommer, an independent consultant working on sustainability in the apparel industry. Libby and I discuss: Libby’s background and early careerHer work on sustainability and life cycle assessments in the apparel industryWorking with start-upsDrivers of innovationHow sustainability focus areas have evolved over the yearsThe environmental and human costs of textile wasteBiodegradation and recycling of textilesReducing and mitigating environmental emissio...

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15:19

Why environmental persistence should be a top...

Chemical Journeys ·

2025/02/18

In this episode I share an article discussing the issue of environmental persistence, and why this is fast becoming a top priority that producers of chemical products need to address. I also share some insights on what has been happening since the article was published. Read the original article: Why environmental persistence should be a top priority for safe and sustainable products — Embark Chemical Consulting On the latest developments: ECHA guidance on the new CLP hazards: Guidance on t...

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