Dr. Esperanza Huerta Lwanga

Esperanza Huerta Lwanga serves as a Senior Scientist at Wageningen University's Soil Physics and Land Management department, where she combines her expertise in soil ecology with groundbreaking research on microplastics in terrestrial environments. After earning her PhD in Soil Ecology from the University of Paris VI (Pierre & Marie Curie) in 2002, she has built an impressive career spanning Mexico and the Netherlands. Her research breakthrough came with discovering how microplastics affect earthworms and move through terrestrial food chains, producing the first scientific evidence of plastic debris transfer in terrestrial ecosystems. She has led multiple research projects, including studies on plastic-degrading bacteria and the impact of microplastics on soil invertebrates. Beyond her scientific work, she is an active educator who has supervised over 30 students across bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels, while also serving as a journal editor for special issues on microplastics. Her work has gained international recognition, leading to keynote speaking engagements at FAO and various international forums. As a multilingual researcher speaking English, French, Spanish, and Dutch, she maintains an active presence in science communication through various media channels while also practicing yoga as part of her balanced approach to research and teaching.