After completing a bachelor in biology at the VUB, his curiosity towards the aquatic environment led him to pursue the international master's programme Marine & Lacustrine Science and Management ("Oceans & Lakes") at the VUB, UGent and UAntwerpen. With a strong interest in the impacts of humanity on the marine environment (and vice versa), he majored in Conservation Biology and Ecosystem Management. From studying non-indigenous barnacles along the Belgian coastline for his master thesis, to working with endangered sea turtles in Kenya for his internship, Jan also gained lots of experience in the field. During his studies, he embarked on various seagoing campaigns on board the R.V. Simon Stevin and frequently worked as a jobstudent in the Data Centre and the Policy Division of VLIZ. Shortly following his graduation in 2019, he worked as a Science Officer in the Research Division until the end of that year. He investigated the scientific foundation of the statement "Every second breath we take comes from the ocean", through a dedicated literature review. At the start of 2020 he got the opportunity to sharpen his knowledge on the marine science-policy interface at the JPI Oceans Secretariat in Brussels, with a main focus on the microplastics projects funded under their framework. Jan Bouwens rejoined VLIZ in May 2020, where he is now part of the Ocean and Human Health team of the Research Division. He is currently coordinating, preparing and executing sampling campaigns regarding a baseline measurement of the flux of micro- and macroplastics from Flanders to the North Sea (OVAM and PLUXIN projects). In addition, he is actively involved in the development of standard operating procedures for the laboratory analysis of environmental micro- and macroplastics samples.