The Lectio Magistralis given by Professor Maria Cristina Fossi, Professor of Ecology and Ecotoxicology at the University of Siena, as part of the Motumundi 2022 award, will take place on Friday 17 February at 11 a.m. at the Santa Chiara Lab of the University of Siena.

The prestigious award was conferred to the Professor Fossi on 30 December for her activities in defence of the environment, for having provided the world's first evidence of the effects of microplastics on whales in 2012, and for the scientific coordination of Plastic Buster project, that aims to monitor and mitigate the impact of plastic in the Mediterranean Sea. These will be the topics that Maria Cristina Fossi will address in the Lectio entitled "Impact of Marine Litter on the Biodiversity of the Mediterranean Sea". 

The lecture is open to the public and will be introduced by Roberto Vitale, president of the Motumundi Prize, and Angelo Riccaboni, president of the Santa Chiara Lab of the University of Siena and PRIMA Foundation.

The Motumundi Prize is awarded annually by Vitale Onlus in the context of the international climate and environment festival Motumundi, which rewards personalities from the academic, institutional, artistic and social worlds who have distinguished themselves for their commitment to environmental sustainability. 

The award is promoted by Vitale Onlus (www.vitaleonlus.it) in collaboration with the European Commission, the General Directorate for Development Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Santa Chiara Lab of the University of Siena, and enjoys the media partnership of ANSA (Agenzia Italiana Stampa Associata).

A certificate of attendance will be issued to those who attend.

To participate in person, please register at this link

The lecture will also be streamed live on the Santa Chiara Lab Facebook page and YouTube channel.