Can fungi solve the world's plastic crisis?

The vast majority of fungi are much too small to see with the naked eye, and shape ecosystems across global environments, from leaf surfaces, to soils, to the high atmosphere and the depths of the ocean. 

Learning about the lives of these invisible beings can be a wondrous dimensional expansion of our connection with nature, and can help us develop new human-microbe partnerships to address global challenges such as plastic pollution, food security and ecosystem restoration. 

Join us online on Wednesay 10th January, 7-9pm GMT, as we explore the potential and challenges of plastic eating fungi with guest speaker, Kai Cartwright.

Kai studies the biological degradation of plastics by microscopic fungi associated with plant leaves at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Biological degradation of plastics using fungal enzymes shows lots of promise as a sustainable solution to contribute to the fight against plastic pollution. 

Kai will explain mechanisms, developments and future directions in fungal plastic biodegradation research, including important roles citizen scientists could play in discovering new plastic eating fungi. 

SPEAKER

Kai Cartwright

Kai studies the biological degradation of plastics by microscopic fungi associated with plant leaves at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. He is passionate about fungal diversity, ecology, and evolution, having conducted mycological surveys in northern Chilean Patagonia and collected herbarium specimens through support from the Davis Expedition Fund. 

During his undergraduate studies, he delved into the associations between mating systems and changes in range size within the UK flora database, employing statistical analysis with R. Currently pursuing an MSc in Plant and Fungal Taxonomy, Diversity, and Ecology at Kew Gardens in London, Kai has showcased his expertise by publishing surveys on Foraminifera distribution in the Fal estuary of Cornwall, UK, featured in the journal Geoscience in South-West England.

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