Kathryn Vest placement – WACL, University of York
During the third year (September to December 2025) of my Envision DTP funded PhD I had the opportunity to undertake a 3-month placement with the National Centre for Atmospheric Science (NCAS). NCAS is a world leading research centre which is embedded in different universities across the UK. I completed my placement in the Wolfson Atmospheric Chemistry Laboratories (WACL) at the University of York with Dr Pete Edwards. WACL is the largest dedicated atmospheric chemistry research centre in the UK and their research focuses on air pollution and long-term global change.
Image 1: Wolfson Atmospheric Chemistry Laboratories Building at the University of York
The focus of my placement was on iron salt aerosol chemistry due to its potential role in methane mitigation. I assisted with the preparation for a measurement campaign at the Cabo Verde Atmospheric Observatory (CVAO) by doing some box modelling and helping in the lab to prepare the instruments for the campaign.
During my placement I spent some time working with the Framework for 0-D Atmospheric Modelling (F0AM) box model, setting up the model so it can be used to investigate chlorine chemistry at the Cabo Verde Atmospheric Observatory (CVAO). I began by setting up the model and testing it with historic observations, then I implemented some heterogeneous chemistry to prepare the model for use with the data from the upcoming observation campaign.
Image 2: My desk in York. Laptop screen showing graphs plotted in MATLAB. Monitor showing the F0AM box model in MATLAB.
Alongside this I assisted in laboratory work to prepare a measurement instrument (TILDAS-HCl) to accurately detect low concentrations of HCl ready for the field campaign in CVAO in early 2026. This involved learning new software such as Arduino and LabVIEW as well as new lab skills to help with implementing temperature, humidity and pressure sensors and a mechanism for a new instrument zeroing method.
Image 3: The TILDAS instrument in the lab where I worked.
Image 4: Me working in the lab setting up scaffolding to mount the instrument.
This placement was an invaluable opportunity to learn new skills and push myself out of my comfort zone and I would highly recommend a placement to any Envision PhD students. I would also like to thank the people who made the placement happen, Catherine Baxendale for helping to organise the placement, Pete Edwards for hosting and supervising my placement in York, Jake Vallow for guiding me through the lab work, everyone at WACL for being so welcoming and Envision for funding such an amazing opportunity.