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 her group has been at the heart of this.

Listen to the episode to find out about biodegradation of chemicals in different environmental settings, what factors contribute to persistence, understanding transformation products and pathways, predicting biodegradation for different chemicals and scenarios, and how we can utilise this knowledge toward safer and more sustainable use of chemicals.

Works cited:

Innovate beyond PFAS | Science

Designing Small Molecules for Biodegradability | Chemical Reviews

Bridging across OECD 308 and 309 Data in Search of a Robust Biotransformation Indicator | Environmental Science & Technology

Developing a weight-of-evidence methodology for persistence assessment of substances in the environment | Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management | Oxford Academic

Breaking it down: Unveiling the roles of chemical structure, concentrations and technology on micropollutant biotransformation in wastewater treatment plants - ScienceDirect

High-Throughput Miniaturized Biotransformation Testing Using Activated Sludge Enables Rapid Chemical Persistence Assessment | Environmental Science & Technology Letters

Read-Across of Biotransformation Potential between Activated Sludge and the Terrestrial Environment: Toward Making It Practical and Plausible | Environmental Science & Technology

Modernizing persistence–bioaccumulation–toxicity (PBT) assessment with high throughput animal-free methods | Archives of Toxicology | Springer Nature Link

Do biotransformation data from laboratory experiments reflect micropollutant degradation in a large river basin? - ScienceDirect

Eawag-Soil in enviPath: a new resource for exploring regulatory pesticide soil biodegradation pathways and half-life data - Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts

FAIR and Effective Communication of Data on Chemical Contaminant Biotransformation in the Environment | Environmental Science & Technology Letters

Confidently uncertain: Probabilistic machine learning to predict soil biotransformation half-lives | ChemRxiv

Predicting Micropollutant Removal in Wastewater Treatment Based on Molecular Structure: Benchmark Data and Models | Environmental Science & Technology

enviPath.org

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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 consumers. We also delve into our complex relationship with nature, and how this is influenced by language.

Our conversation then moves onto chemicals. We do a deep dive into the language surrounding chemicals in modern discourse, and how this influences public perception and emerging policy. We talk about the issue of chemicals in the environment, how this relates to us, and how we might get better at talking - and thinking - about these issues.

I hope you will find this discussion as fascinating as I did!

Plastic: Unwrapped podcast - Plastic Planet | The University of Sheffield Player

Human/Nature podcast | The University of Sheffield Player

White paper: Growing the UK’s Modern Industrial Bioeconomy

Effective Communication to Advance the Modern Industrial Bioeconomy - report

Just Earth: How a Fairer World Will Save the Planet - Tony Juniper

Vanished: An Unnatural History of Extinction - Sadiah Qureshi

Ecolinguistics: Language, Ecology and the Stories We Live By – Arran Stibbe

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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 mentorship and support along the way.

Fola also shares some of his personal experiences of relocating to multiple cities, finding friends and community, and his adventures as a DJ. We talk about Fola's journey with the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), and that part that the organisation has played in his development. Fola also reflects on his Christian Faith and how this shapes his outlook and approach to life.

Fola Ogungbemi, PhD | LinkedIn

DJ with a PhD (@djfolaflo) • Instagram photos and videos

SETAC Europe 36th Annual Meeting

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