Doctor Jesse Meiller, serves as the Director of Undergraduate Studies in American University’s Department of Environmental Science. Her research focuses on marine ecology and environmental toxicology. In her talk, Dr. Meiller shares the shocking discoveries of her research in the DC area's waterways and their solutions. Jesse Meiller is a marine ecologist and environmental toxicologist. She is the Hurst Senior Professorial Lecturer in Environmental Science as well as the Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Environmental Science Department at American University in Washington, DC. Jesse works with her students and colleagues to investigate microplastics in water, sediment, and biological communities in the Chesapeake Bay and to increase awareness and understanding about the environmental and health effects of pollution. She teaches undergraduate and graduate students and conducts teacher training for middle and high school teachers to investigate microplastics with their students. Jesse regularly conducts outreach to local environmental and community-based organizations on microplastics and connects people to their local waterways and environments. While working at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, she provided expertise in aquatic and invertebrate biology and toxicology as well as on science policy and regulatory issues. Jesse represented the US on several Expert Groups for the Organization for the Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx