Xin chào,

My name is Trang. I am from Hanoi, Vietnam. After finishing my Master program in Germany, I moved to France for my PhD as ESR11 in the LimnoPlast (H2020-MCA) project. My study aims to determine the microplastic (MP) contribution of different urban sources to the surrounding water bodies, at the scale of Parisian conurbation. In details, I will investigate MP occurrence in effluent and sludge from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), as well as in combined sewer overflows. The performance of different technologies in WWTPs regarding MP removal will also be compared. I am currently working on the development of a protocol for extracting MPs in environmental samples (i.e., sewer sludge) based on literature and other partner organizations’ knowledge.

I feel so lucky to have a wonderful working group at LEESU/ENPC – my hosting institution – with three super-nice and supportive supervisors and other amazingly-friendly colleagues. In LimnoPlast, I also have chance to work with 14 other ESRs from 9 different countries. Although we work on different fields of the project and haven’t had chance to meet in person due to the Covid-19 situation, through a lot of virtual meetings up to now, I believe we are a great team and will support each other to achieve our goals successfully.

It is the first time I am in France; “bonjour” and “merci” were that’s all I knew at the beginning. Thus, besides working on my project, I also spend time learning French and hope to be able to speak French at the end of my PhD (28 more months to go….)

Au revoir et restez en bonne santé !!!
Trang