Dr. Conrad Sparks Visits the GEM Programme Research Team and Engages in Scientific Discourse
Dr. Conrad Sparks, the Acting Director of the Centre for Sustainable Oceans at Cape Peninsula University of Technology, embarked on a visit to the Global Estuaries Monitoring (GEM) Programme Research Team at the State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Health (SKLMEH), City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) on September 25th-26th. Dr. Chong Chen, the manager of the GEM Programme, and all the Research Team Members warmly hosted the distinguished guest.
On the initial day of the visit, Dr. Sparks provided an illuminating overview of his research team and the academic institution. He delved into his pioneering work on microplastics monitoring and ecotoxicology studies, sparking a vibrant discussion among GEM Team members. The discourse emphasized the vital nexus between scientific findings and policy implementations.
Dr. Chen encapsulated the essence of the GEM Programme, emphasizing the accomplishments of the phase-I research and the momentous global sampling campaign undertaken over the past five years. Furthermore, Ms. Ruolan Jia, a PhD student within the GEM Programme, elucidated on ecotoxicology investigations within the program, specifically addressing the derivation of environmental thresholds for emerging contaminants in marine ecosystems.
Post-meeting, Dr. Sparks had a lad tour to the SKLMEH facilities, where Dr. Chen provided an insightful overview of ongoing research endeavors and state-of-the-art instrumentation.
The following day featured a comprehensive training workshop focusing on the GEM Phase-II global sampling campaign, highlighting passive sampling techniques and sediment sampling protocols. Dr. Demilade T. Adedipe, a postdoctoral researcher in the GEM Programme, shared insights on the development and validation of passive sampling methods. Extensive discussions ensued on collaborative strategies and proposal considerations tailored to the African region.
Subsequently, Dr. Sparks explored the CityUHK campus and the captivating Power of Play Exhibition showcased at the Indra and Harry Banga Gallery within CityUHK’s premises.
The visit concluded as a resounding success, with active participation from GEM Research Assistants including Ms. Qihui Zhao, Mr. Jiayuan Feng, and Ms. Linhan Xu, alongside MSc students including Mr. Shanyue Liu and Ms. Shujun Xiao. Their valuable contributions enriched the dialogue and the visit experience.
