Antonio Bruno

University of Leicester

Project

Investigating the trace gas emissions of biomass burning in the Earth system

Supervisors

Dr. Jeremy Harrison

PhD Summary

The emissions from fires (trace gases and particulate matter) influence climate and public health. The best method to acquire information about biomass burning on global scale is the analysis of Satellite observations. My PhD project focuses on the study of pyrogenic species. The aim is to understand emission mechanisms and to estimate emission factors, using both the analysis of satellite observations and atmospheric modelling.

What inspires you

Since when I was a child, I loved nature and I liked to know everything about it. This interest naturally developed through the years from school to university, studying many different subjects.

Previous activity

I studied Physics at University of Calabria (Italy) both for Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree. My Master Thesis focuses on studying of gaseous pollutants dynamics in atmosphere using an innovative approach to this problem. During this period, I collaborated with the Institute for the Atmospheric Pollution Research of the Italian National Research Council (CNR – IIA). After graduation I had the opportunity to continue my research in the same institute with an annual studentship.

Why did you choose doctoral research?

A desire to be an academic researcher and a PhD is the first step to become one. I also had the chance to test my passion for the research world during my studentship at the CNR – IIA. This experience helped me to understand how a research group works and it convinced me that this is the right way for me.

Why did you choose CENTA?

A CENTA PhD studentship is a great opportunity to collaborate with an important interdisciplinary network of environmental research institutes and universities, in particular my project also involves the National Centre for Earth Observation (NCEO). The possibility to work on an attractive topic, as the study of biomass burning emissions from satellite observations, definitively persuaded me in the choice of this PhD. I live in South Italy and every summer my region is damaged by fires, now CENTA offers me the possibility to study fires worldwide and I will study them.

Future plans

CENTA is an important network of multidisciplinary research groups, I hope to take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about environment and to improve my skills. I also think this is a good opportunity for me to spend my PhD time in England, because I would like to be an academic and a strong English knowledge is fundamental.