Due to my interest in the effects of electromagnetic fields on living things, I applied to the Human Radiation Effects Group (HREG) at the School of Physics at Bristol University to study for a PhD under Professor Denis Henshaw. My PhD involved measuring the potential gradient fluctuations found downwind of high voltage power lines, as an indication of the amount of corona ions produced by the line. After graduating in 2010, I remained within HREG as a postdoctoral research assistant to continue research of power lines and to participate a new project, in collaboration with Imperial College and Royal Brompton Hospital, London. The project seeks to investigate the effect of charge on lung deposition of 100 and 200 nm particles in human volunteers, my particular interest is in the charging and measurement of charge state of the particles. The work of HREG was funded by the charity Children with Cancer UK.
In 2011, Professor Henshaw retired and I and Matthew Wright (who were all that remained of HREG) transferred to the ACRG under Professor Dudley Shallcross, where I am continuing my research of corona ions emitted from HV power lines, and their potential health effects.
Further details of the work of the Human Radiation Effects Group can be found on the group website www.electric-fields.bris.ac.uk