Biography
Originally from Pakistan, I am a PhD researcher in the School of Chemistry at the University of Leeds, funded by the NERC YES•DTN. I work with Dr Natasha Garner, Prof Dwayne Heard, and Prof Paul Seakins on the fate of organic peroxy radicals and their role in secondary organic aerosol formation. Before moving to Leeds, I completed an MSc in Chemistry at Nottingham Trent University, where I was awarded the Best Research Project Prize for my research work on developing greener synthesis methods for bismuth subsalicylate. I completed my undergraduate studies in chemistry at the University of Gujrat, Pakistan. My research interests include atmospheric oxidation processes, air pollution, peroxy radical chemistry, multiphase chemistry, and aerosols.
Outside the lab, I love to play and watch cricket, and my favourite ground in the world is Lord’s Cricket Ground. I am a big fan of the great left-arm fast bowler Wasim Akram.
When I am not doing science, you will find me travelling and exploring new places.
Qualifications
- 2023-2024: Masters in Chemistry from Nottingham Trent University
- 2019-2021: Masters in Chemistry from University of Gujrat
- 2017-2019: Bachelor of Science from University of Gujrat
Research Interests
- Atmospheric chemistry
- Air quality
- Peroxy radical chemistry
- Multiphase chemistry & Aerosols
- Climate Change
Teaching Interests
- Undergraduate chemistry practicals and laboratory demonstrating
- Science communication & public engagement
PhD: Fate of organic peroxy radicals in multicomponent VOC systems and their impact on secondary organic aerosol formation
Atmospheric aerosols play important roles in climate, air quality and human health; of which, a large fraction is submicron organic aerosol. These aerosols can be directly emitted into the atmosphere via e.g., incomplete combustion, or indirectly through oxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from biogenic and anthropogenic sources by e.g., hydroxyl (OH) radicals, ozone
(O3) or nitrate (NO3) radicals. Upon oxidation, these gas-phase species form low volatility oxidation products that will either directly nucleate particles, or condense onto existing particles, to form secondary organic aerosol (SOA).
Of particular interest for the formation of SOA are the reactions and fate of organic peroxy radicals (RO2). RO2 can undergo autooxidation resulting in the formation of highly oxygenated molecules (HOMs), which were recently identified as key contributors to aerosol formation. RO2 can also cross-react with peroxy radicals (HO2) and other RO2, the latter of which result in extremely low
volatility accretion products (termed dimers) which are also of interest for SOA formation. In the presence of NOx (which is largely from anthropogenic sources), RO2 can also react through additional pathways leading to the formation of species such as peroxyl acyl nitrates. As such understanding the branching ratio of RO2 reactions – especially in complex multicomponent VOC
systems – is critical for understanding aerosol formation.
This project will explore the fate of RO2 radicals using a combination of laboratory approaches. Atmospheric simulation chamber and aerosol flow tube experiments will be used to explore the gas-phase oxidation chemistry surrounding VOC mixtures, under different NOx regimes. Gas-phase measurements, using mass spectrometry and laser-based spectroscopy, will be coupled with
aerosol-sizing and offline composition measurements to study how gas-phase composition ties to SOA formation and composition in the presence/absence of seed particles. The goal is to identify key products and branching ratios, understand their impact on aerosol formation, and provide data that can guide improved parameterisations in models.