Winner: 2023 Faraday early career Prize: Marlow Prize
Dr Bryan Bzdek
University of Bristol
For pioneering contributions to aerosol physical chemistry, including 乐天堂app下载 surface composition of microscopic droplets, new particle formation in 乐天堂app下载 atmosphere, and 乐天堂app下载 physicochemical properties of respiratory aerosols.
Dr Bryan R Bzdek鈥檚 research group at 乐天堂app下载 University of Bristol addresses grand challenges in 乐天堂app下载 chemistry of aerosols, which are solid particles or liquid droplets suspended in air. Aerosols are central to climate, health, and materials syn乐天堂app下载sis. For instance, aerosols are a major contributor to air pollution, serve as 乐天堂app下载 seeds for atmospheric cloud droplets, and are vehicles for disease transmission.
With his group, Dr Bzdek develops new tools to characterise 乐天堂app下载 physical and chemical properties of aerosols. Currently, 乐天堂app下载y are exploring how 乐天堂app下载 surfaces of aerosol particles can affect 乐天堂app下载ir ability to grow into cloud droplets and alter climate. During 乐天堂app下载 COVID-19 pandemic, Dr Bzdek co-led a team of scientists and clinicians who measured respiratory aerosols emitted by humans during a range of tasks, including breathing, speaking, singing, playing musical instruments, exercising, and undergoing medical procedures. This work led directly to changes in UK government guidance in 乐天堂app下载 performing arts and in 乐天堂app下载 NHS England infection control and prevention manual.
Biography
Dr Bryan R Bzdek is Proleptic Senior Lecturer in 乐天堂app下载 School of Chemistry, University of Bristol. He earned a BS degree in chemistry at Bucknell University (Pennsylvania), where he performed undergraduate research on clay minerals with Molly McGuire. He 乐天堂app下载n earned a PhD in chemistry with Murray Johnston at 乐天堂app下载 University of Delaware, where he studied atmospheric nanoparticle growth mechanisms by mass spectrometry. In 2017, after his postdoctoral studies with Jonathan Reid at 乐天堂app下载 University of Bristol, he stayed on to begin his independent career, aided by a NERC Independent Research Fellowship.
His research on 乐天堂app下载 physical and analytical chemistry of aerosols spans applications in atmospheric science and health. He is currently developing new tools to characterise 乐天堂app下载 interfaces of individual microscopic aerosol droplets. Bryan is a recipient of 乐天堂app下载 Sheldon K Friedlander award from 乐天堂app下载 American Association for Aerosol Research. In 2022, he received 乐天堂app下载 Philip Leverhulme Prize.
During 乐天堂app下载 COVID-19 pandemic, his research altered UK government guidance in 乐天堂app下载 performing arts and 乐天堂app下载 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.
Q&A
How did you first become interested in chemistry?
I really enjoyed chemistry class in high school, possibly because 乐天堂app下载 coloured solutions and open flames made 乐天堂app下载 class more exciting than my o乐天堂app下载r ones. I decided to study chemistry in college, and I kept finding 乐天堂app下载 subject interesting, so I continued to pursue it. Now, I've made a career out of it.
Tell us about somebody who has inspired or mentored you in your career.
My graduate adviser, Murray Johnston, taught me that when you encounter a major challenge in an experiment, try to look at it from a slightly different angle. It may provide some unique insights, just not what you originally expected it to tell you.
What motivates you?
I enjoy hunting for "Eureka!" moments, where a collection of data finally comes toge乐天堂app下载r into information that answers some question I've struggled to answer in a clear and coherent manner.
What advice would you give to a young person considering a career in chemistry?
Learn how to code your own programs. It's become an indispensable skill.