Austin Gray, who holds a doctorate in environmental health sciences and is a researcher and assistant professor of biological sciences at Virginia Tech, will give the talk in the next installment of the Zahner Conservation Lecture Series.

Plastic pollution has emerged as one of the most critical global environmental risks, posing severe challenges to aquatic environments. Microplastics, which form from plastic debris, have been shown to alter aquatic ecosystems by disrupting biota populations. Gray’s lecture will focus on topics surrounding plastic pollution, microplastics and their impact on aquatic habitats.  

The program, which is sponsored by Jennifer and Forrest McConnell and Jennie Stowers, will be followed by a small reception. It is part of a lineup for free lectures held weekly at 6 p.m. Thursdays through Aug. 10. For a full schedule, visit highlandsbiological.org.