Congratulations to Emma Sands who successfully defended her PhD thesis: “How does land use impact on global air quality and climate: a combined satellite and model study.”

The panel of examiners unanimously confirmed that thesis was of exceptionally high quality in both presentation and content, and a significant contribution to the filed.

A special thank you note goes out to Emma’s supervisors, Prof Ruth Doherty, Dr Fiona O’Connor, Dr Richard Pope, Dr Hugh Pumphrey and Dr Chris Wilson, and both examiners, Prof Paul Palmer and Dr Paul Griffiths.

SENSE training programme enabled Emma significantly to obtain the degree and helped her towards the next step in her career in Earth observation. She found the programme combined her interest in research. She developed new skills, established contacts and gained knowledge of non-university institutions in the space and environmental sectors. Amongst other highlights, Emma mentions:

Getting to meet experts from other institutions is very helpful for future career planning and networking. I enjoyed trying new techniques and looking at data that I wouldn’t usually get the opportunity to within my specific research area.

I was very pleased with my industry placement at the Met Office. The work I did was quite different to my regular PhD research. I also enjoyed connecting with people based at ESA during the ESRIN training and other ESA workshops/events.

SENSE would like to take this opportunity to thank our funder the Natural Environment Research Council, Emma’s CASE partner institution Met Office, SENSE wider community, and Emma’s family and friends, for their invaluable support and input into Emma’s PhD journey.

From all of us at SENSE – congratulations! Wishing you all the very best in your future career.