Lisa Mignanelli

Tyre wear particles constitute a large fraction of the anthropogenic particles released to the environment. Across the lifetime of a single car tyre, up to 30% of its mass will be released as tyre wear particles. The fate and transport of tyre wear particles is a relatively understudied area, however particles and their toxic leachates may pose a significant risk of contaminating the subsurface environment and the groundwater which we and other living organisms rely on. Understanding the source, sink and transport dynamics will provide crucial data to better recognize the risks of this contaminant on the subsurface environment.  

I worked as a Senior Research Technician at the University of Birmingham for 4 years after completing my MSc in River Environments and their Management. I have worked on numerous projects including; using machine learning and optical sensor outputs to characterise sediment in rivers, assisting with enhanced rock weathering experiments in an outdoor mesocosm facility and assisting with the development of a high frequency water temperature sensing network.  

I am keen to further develop my critical thinking and research project management skills and have for most of my education envisaged undertaking a PhD. My goal is to become a fully competent researcher so that after my PhD I can contribute to the environmental sector in the most positive and impactful role possible.  

A CENTA studentship interested me due to the level of support and personal development which is on offer. CENTA is an active community and support network which will hopefully help me achieve personal and career related goals.

I think the skills and confidence I gain during my PhD will allow me to continue in environmental research whether that be academic, research in an environmental institute or for a charity. My personal goal is to develop into an impactful researcher who may be a small piece in the puzzle of driving positive change for the environment.