Bipin D. Lade is a Research Associate in the Department of Geosciences at Virginia Tech and is affiliated with the National Center for Earth and Environmental Nanotechnology Infrastructure (NanoEarth). His research lies at the intersection of environmental science, nanoscience, and materials science, with an emphasis on understanding and addressing micro- and nanoscale particles in environmental systems. His research focuses on the occurrence, characterization, behavior, and remediation of microplastics and nanoplastics in aquatic environments. He combines environmental sampling and sample preparation with analytical approaches, including micro-Fourier transform infrared (µFTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and fluorescence microscopy. A major focus of his current research is the development of food-grade hydrophobic polymer (FGHP)-based technologies for microplastic removal from water. This work has resulted in a U.S. provisional patent application and ongoing technology development through Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties (VTIP). He also develops depth-targeted environmental sampling approaches, including autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV)-based filtration and spectroscopic characterization of plastic particles. Lade has authored more than 17 peer-reviewed publications and 7 book chapters, with more than 544 citations. He serves on the editorial boards of the Internat