Dominika Pasternak

Biography

I am a PGR based in Wolfson Atmospheric Chemistry Laboratories at the University of York working with Prof James Lee, investigating methane emissions from wetlands and shipping emissions. I previously completed my Masters in Chemistry at the University of York with a placement in Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements. I am also a volunteer shopkeeper at student zero waste cooperative. In my free time I enjoy cycling, crocheting, cooking healthily and keeping over 40 houseplants.

Qualifications

2015 – 2019: Masters of Chemistry with a year in industry from the University of York

Research Interests

My main research interest is airborne measurements of trace gases and adapting instruments for airborne use. I am also interested in measuring methane emissions from tropical wetlands and their impact on climate.

Project Title

Investigating local and regional air pollution from shipping

Supervisors

Prof James Lee, Dr Jim Hopkins, Dr Sarah Moller

Funding

Panorama NERC DTP, 2019

Project outline

My PhD project concerns shipping emissions and their impact on air quality and climate. So far, my work focused on the differences between ships observed by FAAM research aircraft in and out of the Sulphur Emission Control Area (SECA). The work involves analysis of plume composition, volatile organic compounds and ozone production. In future, more measurements will be taken to verify the impact of the new SO2 emissions regulations which reduce the sulphur fuel content in all international waters from 3.5 to 0.5%. Another aspect of my PhD is looking at methane and carbon dioxide fluxes from wetlands in Uganda, Zambia and Sápmi using airborne eddy covariance.