Microplastics scientists named among world’s most influential researchers

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Microplastics scientists named among world’s most influential researchers

Professor Richard Thompson and Dr Imogen Napper feature within the 2025 Highly Cited Researchers List

Dr Imogen Napper and Professor Richard Thompson are among almost 7,000 scientists included within the 2025 Highly Cited Researchers List

Microplastics scientists named among world’s most influential researchers

Professor Richard Thompson and Dr Imogen Napper feature within the 2025 Highly Cited Researchers List

Mr Alan Williams

Media and Communications Manager

Corporate Communications (Marketing and Communications)

12 November 2025

Two researchers from the University of Plymouth – who have collaborated on pioneering studies into the sources and effects of global microplastic pollution – have been named on a global list of the world’s most influential researchers.

Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS and Dr Imogen Napper are among almost 7,000 scientists included within the 2025 Highly Cited Researchers List.

The list is designed to spotlight researchers who exemplify excellence in their research and integrity in their publication and citation practices.

To feature in the list, researchers need to demonstrate significant and broad influence in their fields of research and are required to have authored a number of papers which rank in the top 1% by citations for their fields over the past 11 years.

Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS and Dr Imogen Napper are among almost 7,000 scientists included within the 2025 Highly Cited Researchers List

Professor Thompson and Dr Napper, part of the University’s International Marine Litter Research Unit, have worked together for more than a decade.

Their work included the first ever study highlighting microbeads in cosmetics as a source of microplastic publication, and they produced the first research into the generation of microfibres through the laundry cycle.

They helped to establish the abundance of microplastics in regions from the deep sea to the top of Mount Everest, with the latter being recognised by Guinness World Records as the highest known incidence of microplastics anywhere on the planet.

They have also worked on pioneering studies into the environmental threats posed by biodegradable products, as well as a global project exploring effective ways to prevent the continued accumulation of debris in space.

Their collaboration was instrumental in the University winning a Queen’s Anniversary Prize in 2019, as well as numerous other accolades including the 2022 Volvo Environment Prize, the 2023 Blue Planet Prize and a 2024 Green Gown Award.

This is amazing recognition for the groundbreaking research on plastic pollution at the University of Plymouth.

It is research that has helped define the issues, and identify potential solutions. Ensuring such evidence is available to decision makers in industry and policy is key to addressing the challenge of plastic pollution and is a key priority for my team via our participation in the UN Global Plastic Treaty negotiations.

Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS
Professor in Marine Biology

It honestly feels surreal, and I’m completely over the moon. It’s one of those things you never imagine achieving.

Through my work with the University of Plymouth, I’ve been so lucky to explore so many different areas, from our oceans to Earth’s orbit, discovering how pollution connects everything around us. None of this would have been possible without the incredible scientists, storytellers, and conservationists I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with along the way. Here’s to more research, discovery, and collaboration in the future.

Dr Imogen Napper
Visiting Research Fellow