Douglas Eleonzo Castro, microplastics research and outreach

Douglas is studying microplastics and other contaminants in alpine ecosystems, focusing on their biogeochemical roles and potential ecological and public‑health risks. In particular, he has led the development of methods to characterize the chemical composition and quantify the deposition rates of microplastics in collaboration with colleagues at the Moore Institute in California and the USGS in Madison, Wisconsin. In addition to being accomplished in research, he has also been very active in outreach efforts to engage young Latino students in STEM fields, often on behalf of CIRES. He has mentored several high school and undergraduate students in conducting microplastics research. His research is both imperative and personal [to Douglas], as he feels strongly motivated to apply basic science to address pressing problems that affect human and ecological well-being.