Sharing research beyond the lab : EMA at Pint of Science

Invited to take part in the Pint of Science event “From a Pint to the River”, Hélène Rogue and Laura Kergoat presented their research to a broad audience, focusing on a largely invisible but critical issue: pharmaceutical pollution in aquatic environments. Through domestic, hospital, and veterinary uses, a wide range of substances—such as antibiotics or common painkillers like paracetamol—are continuously released into rivers. Once there, these compounds interact with living organisms, including microbial communities that play essential roles in ecosystem functioning. Hélène ROGUE and Laura KERGOAT highlighted how these microorganisms are fundamental to the health of aquatic ecosystems. However, their exposure to pharmaceutical residues may alter their functioning and contribute to the emergence of risks for both ecosystems and human health. Their presentation offered clear insights into the links between our daily consumption and environmental impacts, sparking curiosity and discussion among attendees.

Building on this research, the work of Hélène ROGUE and Laura KERGOAT has contributed to the development of the Pharm-ERA project—an ambitious European doctoral network funded by the European Union coordinated by Stéphane PESCE aiming at improving monitoring and environmental risk assessment of pharmaceuticals, antimicrobial resistance and pathogens from terrestrial to aquatic environments.