Maria Pinto is a marine biologist and science communicator. Founder of the popular “The Sea and Me with Maria” YouTube channel, Maria is also a PhD candidate studying plastics in the ocean.
In today’s episode, we chat about how living on the coast and a certain TV show inspired Maria’s career path, how to find a work atmosphere that works for you, and about Maria’s research into the world of marine microplastics.
This episode is brought to you by the Safina Center (more below).
This episode is brought to you by the Safina Center. Through best-selling and award-winning books, films, and photography, the Safina Center is making a case for life on Earth. Founded by Carl Safina, award-winning author and ecologist in 2003, the Safina Center aims to inspire and engage you to devote your time and energies to conservation of wild things and wild places.
If you haven’t already, check out episode 22 of this podcast. On it, I chat with Carl Safina, his lifetime of conservation work, and how the Safina Center came to be.
I’ve personally been inspired by Carl and the work of the Safina Center. Their work brings wildlife, in all its forms, into our homes and hearts, and makes the case for preserving this beautiful planet of ours. For more information, please visit safinacenter.org.
Connect with Maria: YouTube | Instagram | Twitter
Quick Links
Blue whales
Ocean Girl
University of Lisbon
Bulwer’s Petrel
Medeira archipelago
Microbial Oceanography Lab, University of Vienna
Maria’s Paper on Microplastics
North Adriatic Sea
Maria’s YouTube channel
Christmas Cookie Video
Maria’s “How I became a marine biologist” video
Show Notes
4:40 how watching a show helped shape Maria’s dream career
9:40 choosing field work based on island location
15:25 choosing to pursue her PhD. From marine birds in Portugal to microbiology in Austria to answer a question that really interested Maria.
23:55 taking a microscope to micro plastics. Different bacteria are attracted to different types of plastics.
30:40 can marine bacteria degrade plastic? A question that spawns even more questions.
32:25 how to do marine research even in a landlocked country: driving to the coast and worldwide research cruises.
40:30 starting “The Sea and Me with Maria” YouTube channel. How it came to be and how it’s evolved.
49:00 figuring what to do post PhD.
51:15 from her myriad of field stories, what Maria’s favorite is.
55:10 Advice for aspiring marine biologists. Who you work with may be more important than what you study.
59:25 Maria’s ask for the audience: do what is right for you for a career. Enjoy the ride.