“Nanoplastics on Your Mind” by Matthew Campen, PhD

Confused about the effects of nanoplastics on the brain? That’s understandable. Articles and rumors are everywhere. In April, we get the facts from Dr. Matthew Campen, a leading researcher into the neurological effects of nanoplastics. Dr. Campen’s research expertise extends beyond nanoplastics to inhaled pollutants like ozone, particulate matter, and carbon monoxide, which can cause toxicity beyond the lungs, including neurological effects. Many thanks to Margaret Viers for suggesting the topic.

Bio: Dr. Matthew Campen is a Distinguished Professor in the University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy.  He received his bachelor’s degrees in biochemistry and psychology from Virginia Tech, then completed an MSPH and PhD in Environmental Science and Engineering from the University of North Carolina School of Public Health.  Following a postdoctoral fellowship at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Dr. Campen moved to New Mexico and worked for several years as a toxicologist at the Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute.  In 2009, he moved across town to accept a faculty position at the University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy.  

Dr. Campen has been instrumental in establishing multidisciplinary, programmatic research programs at UNM, including several NIH-funded centers, such as the UNM Center for Metals in Biology and Medicine and the Southwest Center for Advancing Clinical and Translational Innovations.  His research expertise is largely focused on how inhaled pollutants such as ozone, particulate matter, and carbon monoxide can cause toxicity beyond the lungs, including neurological effects.  He began researching the problem of nanoplastics about 5 years ago and found that the science at the interface of plastics and human health was immature.  He has worked to better understand the nature of exposures, dosimetry, and toxicity using approaches that incorporate real human/clinical samples.