Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health

Soapbox Science 2025 - Invisible Invaders: How Micro- and Nanoplastics affect our cells

Soapbox Science 2025 Flyer (large view)

(24-06-2025) On Saturday 28 June 2025, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Elien Alderweireldt (UGent) and 11 other female scientists will be sharing their passion and knowledge in a fun and accessible way at the Carrefour de l’Europe/Europakruispunt.

15:00 – 16:00 : Elien Alderweireldt (Linkedin, Instagram), Universiteit Gent
Invisible Invaders: How Micro- and Nanoplastics Affect Our Cells

Passionate about the intersection of diet and human health, Elien Alderweireldt delves into the (sub)toxic effects of dietary compounds on human cells. With a master’s in Bioscience Engineering from Ghent University and a PhD exploring the impact of red/processed meat on colorectal cancer cells, she now aims at increasing our understanding on the impact of micro-and nanoplastics on our body. Using advanced cell models and cutting-edge technology, she wants to contribute to food safety and human health. (LinkedIn, Instagram). 

Soapbox Science is a science outreach initiative that aims to promote the visibility of women and non-binary scientists and their research by bringing them on the streets to reach the public. Soapbox Science events transform public areas in discussion forums based on Hyde Park’s Speaker’s Corner where scientists, on their soapboxes, talk about their research to the people passing by.

Why female scientists? Even today, they are a minority in the research field, and their relative number dwindles as the seniority in the field increases, as shown by the figures in the European Commission’s She Figures 2024

Soapbox Science aims at tackling stereotypes and shows the public that science is not a stereotypically smart and socially awkward man’s business and that anyone has the opportunity to enjoy science in an interactive way.

During the event, four soapboxes will be placed on the Carrefour de l’Europe/Europakruispunt. On each soapbox, a speaker will talk about their research and interact with the public passing by, for the duration of an hour.

Details and programme of the event: https://soapboxsciencebrussels.be/agenda/

Meet the 2025 Soapbox Science Brussels Speakers: https://soapboxsciencebrussels.be/speakers/

 

Contact:

Soapbox Science Brussels

Email: soapboxscience.brussels@gmail.com  
Website: https://soapboxsciencebrussels.be/