Dr Kevin Brigden

Kevin gained a degree in chemistry from the University of Sheffield, followed by a PhD in synthetic organic chemistry from the University of Sydney in 1996.

He worked as an analytical chemist and scientific advisor for a company supplying essential oils, and conducted research into the feasibility of non-wood-based paper production, before joining the Greenpeace Research Laboratories, as a scientist, in 2000. Kevin has extensive experience in the analysis and environmental fate of toxic heavy metals and has participated in international work to eliminate mercury emissions.

Email Kevin

Beatriz (Bea) Callejo

Coming from a completely different background in Spain in the business and administration field, Bea studied “Biological and Medicinal Chemistry”, graduating in 2005. Since then, she has worked for the environment Agency Lab in Exeter for 14 years as an analytical chemist, mainly in the organic section. She joined Greenpeace at the end of 2019 as an analyst/technician and currently acts as support for analysts in their various projects.

Email Bea

Dr Aidan Farrow

Aidan studied Environmental Geoscience at the University of Edinburgh, subsequently gaining his PhD in Climate Modelling from the University of Bristol. He undertook post-doctoral research in the field of air quality modelling and forecasting at the University of Hertfordshire, before working in industry with Air Quality Consultants Ltd. Aidan joined the Greenpeace Research Laboratories in 2018. His work investigates atmospheric pollution, its causes, and health impacts using field and laboratory methods, large observational datasets and numerical modelling approaches.

Email Aidan

dr Paul Johnston

Paul set up the Greenpeace Research Laboratories at London’s Queen Mary College in 1987. He has continued as the principal scientist since the group relocated to the University of Exeter in 1992.

He obtained a PhD on selenium toxicity in aquatic invertebrates, from the University of London, in 1984. Paul now has 30 years experience in providing scientific advice and expertise to Greenpeace International and national/regional offices around the world.

Email Paul

Dr Ildiko Kriston

Ildiko obtained her degree as a chemical engineer in 2006, and a PhD in chemical sciences in 2011, both from the Budapest University of Technology and Economics. During her studies she researched the stabilization mechanisms of antioxidants used in polyethylene. She worked as an analytical chemist for pharma companies before joining the Greenpeace Research Laboratories in 2020, bringing her extensive knowledge of analytical techniques (HPLC-MS, GC-MS, NMR, FT-IR, EA) to apply to the field of environmental forensics. As a senior scientist, Ildiko works with the UHPLC-HRMS.

Email Ildiko

Kathryn Miller

Kathryn is an independent science consultant with an academic background in natural and social sciences, including a Masters in MSc in Science and Technology Studies from the University of Edinburgh. She has worked with the Greenpeace Science Unit since 2016, writing, reviewing and editing technical reports and papers for publication in peer-reviewed journals on a diverse range of environmental topics including plastic litter, microplastics in seafood, the potential impacts of deep-sea mining, food and farming, and air pollution.

Email Kathryn

Mo Oram

Mo Oram has arguably the most important job of all in the Science Unit. She’s the person who makes sure that things arrive on time, get delivered on time and that the bills get paid on time. She also makes valuable input to the practical work in the lab. In short, without her contribution the work of the Unit would quickly grind to a halt. In what little spare time that she does have after work, Mo can often be found in local music venues – where her singing and song-writing talents complete her considerable array of skills.

Email Mo

Dr David Santillo

David obtained a degree in marine and freshwater biology in 1989, and a PhD in marine microbial ecology in 1993, both from the University of London, before continuing with postdoctoral research into nutrient pollution in the Adriatic Sea. A senior scientist, David joined the Greenpeace Research Laboratories in 1994, and now has more than 20 years experience in environmental forensics and development of policies for environmental protection.

Email David

Dr Kirsten Thompson

Kirsten is an integrative animal ecologist with expertise in the marine mammal biology. She uses cross-disciplinary approaches (genomics, acoustics, geometric morphometrics, behavioural data, citizen science, eDNA monitoring and historical records) to understand the evolution and contemporary population biology of top predators. Kirsten’s research has focused in particular on: 1) marine mammal ecology, evolution and conservation; 2) emerging impacts on marine biodiversity; and 3) the impact of human activities on mammalian populations.

Email Kirsten

Dr Reyes Tirado

Reyes graduated from Seville University (Spain) in 1997, and did her Ph.D. research on plant ecology in the Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas (CSIC) in Almería (Spain), getting her doctorate in 2003.

She continued her research as a Fulbright postdoc at Stanford and Berkeley Universities in California from 2003 to 2006, studying fire and plant-plant interactions in Californian chaparral while in the Ackerly lab. She joined the Greenpeace Research Laboratories in 2006, where she is providing support in various projects concerning terrestrial ecosystems and helping shape the Food For Life campaign on sustainable agriculture.

Email Reyes

Dr Mengjiao Wang
(Melissa)

Mengjiao Wang (Melissa) obtained a degree in Environmental Science from Nanjing University, and a PhD in Marine Environmental Science from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. She worked in the Environmental Consulting industry before joining the Greenpeace Research Laboratories as a Senior Scientist in 2012. Melissa’s work includes organic analysis for environmental forensics research to support analytical projects around the world, as well as advising and representing Greenpeace on technical aspects of management of hazardous chemicals, marine litter and microplastics at the science-policy interface. She is also interested in further exploration of synergies and nexus among different environmental science and policy areas, e.g. climate change, biodiversity, agriculture, chemicals, waste and pollution.

Email Melissa