Imari Walker-Franklin

As an analytical chemist, Dr. Walker-Franklin analyzes complex environmental and biological samples—including surface waters, wastewaters, sediment, and biological serums and tissues—to identify novel contaminants and metabolites. She utilizes gas and liquid chromatography systems coupled with high-resolution accurate mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS and LC-HRMS) to generate data, which she processes using non-target analysis workflows. One example of her work includes characterizing substances of emerging concern (ie. PFAS, microplastics, and wastewater tracers) in the French Broad River in Western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene.

Dr. Walker-Franklin earned her Ph.D. in environmental engineering from Duke University, where she investigated the fate, occurrence, and transformation of polymer-associated chemicals in aquatic environments. She has presented her research on plastic pollution at national press conferences, panels, and lectures.

Dr. Walker-Franklin co-authored Plastics (2023), part of the MIT Essential Knowledge Series, with Dr. Jenna Jambeck. She also serves as a member of the National Academies Roundtable on Plastic Pollution and was awarded the 2024 National Academies Eric and Wendy Schmidt Award for Excellence in Science Communications.

Dr. Walker-Franklin's research interests include microplastics, emerging contaminants, and advancing non-target analysis workflows.

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