Dr Bryan Bzdek
Bryan is a Proleptic Associate Professor 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 Kenneth T. Whitby (2024) and Sheldon K. Friedlander (2017) Awards from the American Association for Aerosol Research. He is a recipient of the Philip Leverhulme Prize (2022) and the Royal Society of Chemistry's Marlow Prize (2023). 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 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.
Dr Joshua Harrison
Josh earned his PhD in our group in 2024 and is now a postdoctoral research associate developing new tools for the chemical analysis of aerosols 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.
Mehdi Abou Hamad
Mehdi received his MSci from the American University of Beirut, where he studied the effect of green spaces on air pollution. This research involved analysing recorded values of particulate matter (PM), measured black carbon (BC), elements, and heavy metals. He also developed a new analytical method for the determination of heavy metals using ICP-MS and utilized SEM-EDX as a qualitative method to understand the morphology of the particles across different sites. Mehdi began his PhD studentship through the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Aerosol Science in September 2024, where he is exploring the surface properties of microscopic aerosol droplets.
Former Group Members
Dr Alison Bain
Alison was a postdoctoral research associate in the group (2021-2023). She is now an assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry at Oregon State University. You can visit Alison's website here.
Dr Lara Lalemi
Lara earned her PhD working in our group in 2024. She is now Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Officer in the Life Sciences Faculty at University of Bristol.
Thinking about a PhD or would you like to join the group?