The Global Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. Nathaniel's work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

About Nathaniel

I am a Lecturer in Physiology within the School of Health Professions (0.5 FTE) and the School of Biomedical Sciences (0.5 FTE). 

My research adopts a One Health approach to toxicology, investigating the fate and biological effects of microplastics, nanoplastics and other environmental contaminants across aquatic ecosystems, food production systems and human-relevant biological models. I am particularly interested in understanding how contaminants are taken up and transferred through biological systems, and how these interactions influence environmental health, food safety and potential human-health outcomes.

A focus of my research is the application and development of advanced analytical techniques to investigate environmental contaminants within biological systems. I am particularly interested in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and its advanced modalities, including single-particle ICP-MS, alongside radiolabelled and element-labelled particle approaches to investigate contaminant uptake, distribution and fate. I also apply advanced imaging approaches, including synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence microscopy, to visualise and localise particles within cells and tissues. By combining these complementary techniques, I aim to improve particle detection and quantification and link particle localisation and behaviour to biological responses. Ultimately, this integrated approach seeks to advance mechanistic understanding of particle toxicology and support more robust environmental and human-health risk assessment.

My research interests span three interconnected areas:

• Aquatic systems. I am interested in the uptake, accumulation and biological effects of environmental contaminants in aquatic organisms, across marine and freshwater environments. I aim to improve understanding of contaminant behaviour and biological responses, contributing to knowledge of aquatic ecosystem health and conservation.
• Contaminant food-chain transfer. I am interested in how contaminants are taken up and accumulated by crops and other organisms, and how they may be transferred through food chains and production systems. By examining contaminant behaviour across different biological matrices, I aim to understand the factors influencing uptake, accumulation and transfer, and the potential implications for food quality, safety and human exposure.
• Environmental contaminants and human health. I am interested in how environmental contaminants interact with human biological systems, with a particular focus on intestinal and hepatic tissues. This includes investigating the uptake, localisation and biological effects of micro- and nanoplastics in human gut cell models under different physiological conditions, including disease states, alongside exploring contaminant interactions with hepatic systems. I aim to understand how physiological state influences particle–cell interactions and how these interactions may contribute to tissue responses and potential health effects.

Across these three areas, I am also interested in developing and validating robust analytical methods and biological reference materials to improve confidence in particle measurements in complex environmental and biological matrices.

Supervised Research Degrees

1. PhD, Alex Mead (2026-2029). On the burden of of micro and nanoplastics in liver disease. Third supervisor (with Mike Wilde and Shilpa Chokshi).
2. PhD, Helisoa (Amadeus) Derjean (2024-2028). Determining the dietary accumulation and toxicity of nanoplastics and co-contaminants (zinc oxide nanomaterials) in fish. Director of studies (with Miguel Gomez-Gonzalez, Lee Hutt and Richard Thompson).
3. PhD, Samantha Harvey (2024-2027). Establishing the effect of microplastic and nanoplastic exposure on inflammatory bowel disease. Director of studies (with Lee Hutt and Raul Bescos).
4. PhD, Joseophine Prole (2024-2027). Pulling the plug on antimicrobial reistance: novel antimicrobials from The Roman Baths, Bath, UK. Second supervisor (with Lee Hutt, Kirsty Matthews, Mat Upton and Rob Puschendorf). 
5. PhD, Tom Walter (2023-2026): Helpful or harmful? Investigating the impact of blended fruit smoothies on metabolic risk factors for human health. Second supervisor (with Kathy Redfern and Gail Rees).
6. PhD, Namrata Pandey (2022-2025). Defining the biological importance of micro- and nano-plastics on liver and gastrointestinal health. Second supervosor (with Ashwin Dhanda and Lee Durndell).

Previous students

1. Research Masters, Craig McHardy (2022-2024). Development of alternatives for in vivo fish bioaccumulation testing with nanomaterials. Second supervisor.

Teaching

I am the module lead for the undergraduate Nutritional Biochemistry and Physiology and Genetics modules that is cotaught to Nutrition, Exercise and Health students and Dietetics students.

I supervise BSc (Biomedical Sciences, Dietetics), MDiet (Dietetics) and MSc (Human Nutrition) project students within their dissertation modules. 

Contact Nathaniel

( InterCity Place, Plymouth Railway Station, North Road East,, Plymouth, PL4 6AB
+44 1752 587544
nathaniel.clark@plymouth.ac.uk