Dr Francesca De Falco
Profiles

Dr Francesca De Falco

Post-Doctoral Research Fellow (Environmental Chemistry), Biodegradable Plastics

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences (Faculty of Science and Engineering)

Biography

Biography

Francesca is a material scientist working on microplastic pollution since 2015. She holds a PhD in Materials Engineering with a thesis on “Microplastic pollution from synthetic textiles: quantitative analysis and mitigation strategies”, for which she was awarded the Eni Award 2020 “Young Researcher of the Year”. Francesca has worked for many years in Italy at the Institute for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials of the National Research Council of Italy (CNR-IPCB) gaining expertise on material characterisation techniques, detection and quantification of microplastics, mitigation strategies for microfibre pollution, functional modifications of materials and nanocomposites. 
Since 2021, Francesca has been a member of the International Marine Litter Research Unit at the University of Plymouth, working on the NERC-funded BIO-PLASTIC-RISK project. She investigates the environmental fate of biodegradable plastics and applies Py-GC-MS and other techniques to understand and trace plastic degradation in the environment. 
She is author of 20 academic journal papers, four book chapters and one edited book. She has presented at and been invited to many international conferences and workshops, with experience also in outreach events and media engagement. For her research contributions, she acted as consultant for the OECD and member of technical panels.

Qualifications

Professional experience
2021–present, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Plymouth, UK
2014–2021, Research Fellow, PhD student, Researcher, National Research Council of Italy (CNR-IPCB), ITA
2013–2014, Project Engineer, Res Nova Die s.r.l., ITA
Education
2019 – PhD in Industrial Product and Process Engineering (Material Science), University of Naples Federico II, ITA
2013 – Master’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, ITA
2009 – Bachelor’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, ITA

Roles on external bodies

Guest editor of the following special issues:
Reviewer for the following academic peer-review journals:
  • Environmental Science and Technology
  • Environmental Pollution
  • Environmental Science and Pollution Research
  • Journal of Hazardous Materials
  • Environmental Science and Technology Letters
  • Science of the Total Environment
  • Water, Air, & Soil Pollution
  • Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
  • Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis
  • Water Research
  • Chemosphere
  • Textile Research Journal
  • Microplastics and nanoplastics
Teaching

Teaching

Teaching interests

I provide lectures on the topics of microplastic pollution and biodegradable plastics for different courses at the University of Plymouth
Research

Research

Research interests

  • Environmental fate and impact of biodegradable plastics
  • Application of Py-GC-MS and EGA-MS to study micro/nano plastic pollution 
  • Degradation of polymeric materials
  • Micro/nano fibres released from textiles
  • Mitigation actions for plastic pollution

Research degrees awarded to supervised students

2022 – Present: Chun Yin Choi, PhD student, University of Plymouth, UK, PhD topic: “Investigation the release and behaviour of plastic nanofibers to air and the marine environment”.         
2023: Vasiliki Soursou, PhD student, University of Valencia, Spain, visiting research period at the University of Plymouth on “Study of the release and fate of textile fibers in the environment”.
2022: Tommaso Nacci, PhD student, University of Pisa, Italy, visiting research period at the University of Plymouth on “Monitoring the degradation processes affecting materials made of biodegradable polymers in different environmental matrices”.
2020: Michela Volgare, Master’s student in Materials Engineering, University of Napoli “Federico II”, Italy, Master’s thesis: “Influence of detergent type on microplastic release during washing process of synthetic textiles”.

Grants & contracts

2021 - Visiting Fellow Programme from the University of Pisa (ITA) - Travel grant
2020 - Short term mobility from National Research Council of Italy (CNR) - Travel grant (cancelled due to Covid-19).
2018 - Short term mobility from the University of Naples “Federico II” - Travel grant 
Publications

Publications

Journals
  1. B. Boots, D. S. Green, B. Olah-Kovacs, F. De Falco, E. Lupo. Physical and chemical effects of conventional microplastic glitter versus alternative glitter particles on a freshwater plant (Lemnaceae: Lemna minor). Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 263, 115291 (2023).
  2. F. De Falco, T. Nacci et al. A thermoanalytical insight into the composition of biodegradable polymers and commercial products by EGA-MS and Py-GC-MS. Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis 171, 105937 (2023).
  3. F. Olivieri, G. Rollo, F. De Falco et al. Reduced graphene oxide/polyurethane coatings for wash-durable wearable piezoresistive sensors. Cellulose 30, 2667-2686 (2023).
  4. J.S. Weis, F. De Falco. Microfibers: Environmental Problems and Textile Solutions. Microplastics 1(4), 626-639 (2022).
  5. L. Pittura, A. Nardi, M. Cocca, F. De Falco et al. Cellular disturbance and thermal stress response in mussels exposed to synthetic and natural microfibers. Frontiers in Marine Science 9:981365 (2022).  
  6. R. Avolio, A. Grozdanov, M. Avella, J. Barton, M. Cocca, F. De Falco et al. Review of pH sensing materials from macro- to nano-scale: Recent developments and examples of seawater applications. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology 52(6), 979-1021 (2022).
  7. F. De Falco et al. Development and Performance Evaluation of a Filtration System for Washing Machines to Reduce Microfiber Release in Wastewater. Water Air Soil Pollut 232, 406 (2021).
  8. M. Volgare, F. De Falco al. Washing load influences the microplastic release from polyester fabrics by affecting wettability and mechanical stress. Sci Rep 11, 19479 (2021). 
  9. F. De Falco et al. Comparison of biodegradable polyesters degradation behavior in sand. Journal of Hazardous Materials 416, 126231 (2021).
  10. L. Manfra, V. Marengo, G. Libralato, M. Costantini, F. De Falco, M. Cocca. Biodegradable polymers: A real opportunity to solve marine plastic pollution? Journal of Hazardous Materials 416, 125763, (2021).
  11. L. Palazzo, S. Coppa, A. Camedda, M. Cocca, F. De Falco et al. A novel approach based on multiple fish species and water column compartments in assessing vertical microlitter distribution and composition. Environmental Pollution 272, 116419 (2021).
  12. F. De Falco, M. Cocca, M. Avella, R.C. Thompson. Microfiber Release to Water, Via Laundering, and to Air, via Everyday Use: A Comparison between Polyester Clothing with Differing Textile Parameters. Enviromental Science & Technology 54 (6), 3288-3296 (2020). 
  13. R. Castaldo, F. De Falco et al. Critical Factors for the Recycling of Different End-of-Life Materials: Wood Wastes, Automotive Shredded Residues, and Dismantled Wind Turbine Blades. Polymers 11(10), 1604 (2019). 
  14. A.Grozdanov, A. Petrovski, M. Avella, P. Paunović, M. E. Errico, R. Avolio, G. Gentile, F. De Falco, A. T. Dimitrov. Spectroscopic Study of Nanocomposites Based on PANI and Carbon Nanostructures for pH Sensors. Bulgarian Chemical Communications 51, Special issue D, 36-41 (2019). 
  15. F. De Falco et al. Novel finishing treatments of polyamide fabrics by electrofluidodynamic process to reduce microplastic release during washings. Polymer Degradation and Stability 165, 110-116 (2019). 
  16. F. De Falco, E. Di Pace, M. Cocca, M. Avella. The contribution of washing processes of synthetic clothes to microplastic pollution. Scientific Reports 9: 6633 (2019). 
  17. F. De Falco et al. Design of functional textile coatings via non-conventional electrofluidodynamic processes. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 541, 367-375 (2019).
  18. F. De Falco et al. Pectin based finishing to mitigate the impact of microplastics released by polyamide fabrics. Carbohydrate Polymers 198, 175-180 (2018) – Research Highlight by the journal Nature Sustainability
  19. F. De Falco et al. Quantification of microfibres released during washing of synthetic clothes in real conditions and at lab scale. The European Physical Journal Plus 133: 257 (2018). 
  20. F. De Falco et al. Evaluation of microplastic release caused by textile washing processes of synthetic fabrics. Environmental Pollution 236, 916-925 (2018) – “Highly cited paper” by Isi Web of Science in the academic field of Environment/Ecology
Books
J. S. Weis, F. De Falco, M. Cocca. Polluting Textiles - The Problem with Microfibres.  Routledge, London 2022, DOI: 10.4324/9781003165385 
Chapters
  1. W. Courtene-Jones, F. De Falco, I.E. Napper. A Review of Biodegradable Plastics from Multidisciplinary Perspectives. In: Plastic Pollution In The Global Ocean, Edited by A.A. Horton. World Scietific Publishing 2023. 
  2. F. De Falco, M. Cocca. Innovative Approaches to Mitigate Microfibre Pollution. In: Polluting Textiles - The Problem with Microfibres, Edited by J. S. Weis, F. De Falco, M. Cocca. Routledge, London 2022.
  3. F. De Falco, M. Cocca, E. Di Pace, M. E. Errico, G. Gentile, M. Avella. Evaluation and Mitigation of the Environmental Impact of Synthetic Microfibers. In: Particulate Plastics in Terrestrial and Aquatic Environments, Edited By Nanthi S. Bolan, M.B. Kirkham, Claudia Halsband, Dayanthi Nugegoda, Yong Sik Ok. Taylor & Francis Group. 
  4. F. De Falco, E. Di Pace, M. Avella. M. Cocca. Impact of plastics on marine environments: from macro-to microplastic pollution. In: Sustainability of Polymeric Materials, Edited by V. Ambrogi, P. Cerruti, V. Marturano. De Gruyter. DOI: 10.1515/9783110590586. 
Conference Papers
Selected conference contributions:
  • F. De Falco et al. Assessment Of Biodegradable Plastic Fate In The Environment. MICRO 2022 International Conference Plastic Pollution from Micro to Nano, 14-18 November 2022 – Poster presentation 
  • F. De Falco et al. Clothing laundry and wearing as sources of microfibre release to water and air. MICRO 2020 International Conference Fate and Impacts of Microplastics: Knowledge and Responsibilities, 23-27 November 2020 – Oral presentation 
  • F. De Falco et al. Novel finishing treatments of synthetic fabrics to mitigate microplastic pollution. PolyChar 27 World Forum on Advanced Materials, Napoli 14-17 October 2019. Book of Abstracts pag. 154 – Poster presentation 
  • F. De Falco et al. First Investigation of Microfibre Release from the Washing of Laminated Fabrics for Outdoor Apparel. Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Microplastic Pollution in the Mediterranean Sea. ICMPMS 2019. Springer Water. Springer, Cham (2020). DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-45909-3_44 – Poster presentation
  • R. C. Thompson, F. De Falco. Marine litter: are there solutions to this environmental challenge? Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Microplastic Pollution in the Mediterranean Sea. ICMPMS 2019. Springer Water. Springer, Cham (2020). DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-45909-3_8 
  • F. De Falco et al. Quantitative approaches to investigate the release of microfibres from washing processes of synthetic clothes. Microplastics2018, 28-31 October 2018 Ascona (Switzerland) – Oral presentation 
  • F. De Falco et al. Innovative Treatment Of Polyamide 6.6 Fabric To Mitigate Microplastic Release During Washing. Atti del XXIII Convegno Nazionale AIM, 9-12 September 2018 Catania, pp 128-129. ISBN: 978-88-7751-449-3 – Oral presentation 
  • F. De Falco et al. Biodegradable coatings of synthetic fabrics to retain microplastic release. International Conference on Microplastic Pollution in the Mediterranean Sea µMED2017, Capri 26-29 September 2017, Book of Abstracts pag. 79 – Poster presentation
  • F. De Falco et al. Eco-sustainable Functionalization of Polyamide Fabrics to Mitigate Microplastic Release. Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on Environmental Science and Technology, 31 August – 2 September 2017, Athens, Greece. ISBN: 978-960-7475-53-4 – Poster presentation
  • F. De Falco et al. Marine microplastics pollution from synthetic clothes: quantitative analysis and mitigation measures. Materials.it 2016, Catania, 12-16 December 2016, Book of Abstracts pag. 61 – Oral presentation 
Reports
De Falco, F.; Nikiema, Josiane; Wagner, S. 2021. Mitigation technologies and best practices. In Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Policies to reduce microplastics pollution in water: focus on textiles and tyres. Paris, France: OECD Publishing. pp.64-102. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1787/156bdfa5-en]
Patents
“Experimental methodology to quantify and certify microfiber release from the washing of textiles”, Patent application n. 102020000018730 filed at the Patent Office of the Italian Ministry of Economic Development on 31/07/2020. 
Other Publications

Personal

Personal

Reports & invited lectures

  • 2023, SepSolve Analytical 2nd annual e-seminar celebrating women in science – Invited talk “Investigating the fate of microplastics in the environment by Py/TD–GC×GC–TOF MS: the case of biodegradable plastic.”
  • 2022, Irish Polymers and Materials Conference 2022: Polymers and the Environment II - Invited talk “Microplastic pollution from textiles: quantitative evaluation and mitigation strategies.”
  • 2021, IEEE International Workshop On Metrology For The Sea – Invited talk “Microplastic pollution from textiles: quantitative evaluation and mitigation strategies.”
  • 2020, NanoInnovation 2020 Conference & Exibition, Rome - Invited talk “Micro-nanoplastics in the environment”.
  • 2020, OECD Workshop on Microplastics from synthetic textiles in the Environment: Knowledge, Mitigation and Policy, Paris - Invited talk “Microplastic release from textiles: quantification and mitigation strategies”.

Conferences organised

  • 2023 - Session co-convener for the EGU General Assembly 2023 (Vienna 23-28 April) 
  • 2019 - Member of the Organizing Committee for the PolyChar 27 World Forum on Advanced Materials (Naples 14-17 October)
  • 2019 - Member of the Local Scientific Committee for the International Conference on Microplastic Pollution in the Mediterranean Sea µMED2019 (Capri 15-18 September)
  • 2017 - Member of the Scientific Secretariat for the International Conference on Microplastic Pollution in the Mediterranean Sea µMED2017 (Capri 26-29 September)

Other academic activities

Policy engagement:
Media engagement:
  • 2023 - Participation to the Wall Street Journal’s podcast The Future of Everything, episode “From Laundry to the Ocean: Fixing the Microplastics Problem in Clothes”
  • 2021 - Speaker at the Let's Rise Festival for the session “Impacts of Microfibres on Marine Environments” 
  • 2019 - Radio interview for the Italian Rai Radiotre Radio 3 Scienza 
Selected online articles:

Additional information

Awards:
  • 2021 - Eni Award 2020 “Young Researcher of the Year” for the PhD research on microplastics from textiles. 
  • 2020 - Best Oral Presentation Award for “Mitigation of microplastic release from synthetic textiles” at the IPCB Workshop “Current and Future Challenges In Advanced Materials, Sustainability, Health And Nanomedicine”
  • 2017 - Best Poster Presentation Award for “Eco-sustainable Functionalization of Polyamide Fabrics to Mitigate Microplastic Release” at 15th International CEST 2017.