Commendation for Dr Matthew Wright - School of Physics

Supervisor: Professor Denis Henshaw

Funding: Children with Cancer UK

PhD project: Submicron Particle Size Distribution and Charge State in Urban Areas Using Mobility Particle Sizers - Measurements and Instrumentation Considerations

Particulate air pollution, notably from vehicle exhausts, is associated with illnesses from aggravated asthma, cardiovascular disease and allergies to increased risk of childhood cancer. For a given mass of emission, ultrafine particles are more damaging to health compared to larger particles because of the greater surface area they present to the lung when inhaled.

Matt Wright made ground-breaking measurement of ultrafine particles in the air in central Bristol and their relation to pollutant gas emissions such as NO₂ and CO. His particular interest has been in heavy emitters, notably heavy-duty diesel vehicles, and also on the electric charge carried by particles which on inhalation can significantly increase the probability of deposition and retention in the lung. Matt’s thesis is outstanding because of the sophisticated instrumentation used and the novel analysis techniques that he developed, as well as the high publication standard yet easily readable level of presentation. Scientific publications from this work are expected to add significantly to the health debate of traffic related air pollution in Bristol and elsewhere.

Biography

I am originally from Halifax, West Yorkshire, where I attended Crossley Heath School (1992-1999) before coming to Bristol in 2000. I chose the University of Bristol because of the reputation of both the University as a whole and the School of Physics in particular, and because on my visits here I enjoyed my experience of the city itself. I completed my undergraduate degree (MSci, Physics with Industrial Experience) in 2004, and spent two years working as a Research Assistant in the Human Radiation Effects Group before enrolling on my PhD in 2006. Undertaking a PhD at Bristol allowed me the freedom to conduct new research in an interesting, multidisciplinary area of work which could make a real difference to public health. I am now following up this work as a Post-doctoral Research Assistant in the Atmospheric Chemistry Research Group, also at the University of Bristol, where my research involves experimental measurements of particulate and gas pollution in urban environments and studies on the electric charge of airborne particles and possible human health implications. I hope to continue to work as a part of the research community in the physical, chemical and environmental sciences for the foreseeable future.