Dr Bryan Bzdek

Bryan is a Proleptic Senior Lecturer in the School of Chemistry. He earned a B.S. degree at Bucknell University, where he performed undergraduate research on clay minerals with Molly M. McGuire. He earned a Ph.D. at the University of Delaware with Murray V. Johnston, where he studied atmospheric nanoparticle growth mechanisms. He performed postdoctoral studies with Jonathan P. Reid, and then began his independent career at the University of Bristol in 2017. His research on the physical and analytical chemistry of aerosols spans applications in atmospheric science and health. Bryan is a recipient of the Juan de la Mora Prize and the Sheldon K. Friedlander award from the American Association for Aerosol Research. In 2022, he received the Philip Leverhulme Prize. During the COVID-19 pandemic, his research altered UK government guidance in the performing arts and the NHS infection control and prevention manual. He also gave many print and radio interviews about aerosols and COVID-19 to organisations including US public radio, BBC, CBS, and CNN.

Dr Jim Walker

Jim earned his PhD in Chemistry at the University of Bristol. He is a senior research associate who joined the group in April 2021 to develop new single droplet mass spectrometry tools. He also investigates the microphysics of respiratory aerosol.

Dr Alison Bain

Alison earned her PhD in Chemistry at McGill University, working with Prof. Thomas Preston. She joined our group as a postdoctoral researcher in May 2021. Her work explores the surface properties of individual picolitre droplets using optical tweezers. You can visit Alison's website here.

Dr Alicja Szczepanska

Ala earned her PhD in Physics at University of Bristol working with Dr Natasa Vasiljevic on electrochemically self-assembled nanoalloys. She joined our group in June 2021 to study aerosols generated by clinical procedures and by respiratory activities like breathing, speaking, and exercising. In addition, she is exploring aerosol dispersion using a low-cost air sensor network.

Dr Min-Hsien (Tony) Kao

Tony earned his PhD in Chemistry at University of Bristol working with Prof. Andrew Orr-Ewing on ultrafast photochemical reaction dynamics in condensed phases. He then did postdoctoral studies with Dr. James Bull at the University of East Anglia to study the photochemistry of fluorescent protein chromophores before joining our group in September 2023. He is now building up an experimental approach to study the light-driven chemistry in individual aerosol droplets.

Lara Lalemi

Lara received her MSci from University of Bristol and started a studentship funded by the NERC GW4+ Doctoral Training Partnership in October 2018. Her project examines the surface tensions of microscopic aerosol droplets as well as the factors governing photoinitiated reactions in aerosols.

Joshua Harrison

Josh received his MSci from Cardiff University and started a studentship funded through the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Aerosol Science in September 2019. Josh investigates aerosols and droplets generated by respiratory activities as well as new approaches for chemical analysis of single droplets by mass spectrometry.

Isabel Quant

Isabel received her MS from University of Toronto and started a studentship through the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Aerosol Science in September 2021. Isabel is studying light-induced chemistry at aerosol surfaces.

Conlan Broderick

Conlan received his MChem from Cardiff University and began his PhD studentship through the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Aerosol Science in September 2022. Conlan is studying light-induced chemistry in aerosol droplets at ultrafast timescales.

Nathan Croll Dawes

Nathan received his MSci from the University of Bristol and began his PhD studentship through the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Aerosol Science in September 2023. Nathan is developing new approaches for the chemical analysis of aerosols by mass spectrometry.