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Finja Löher

Biography

I am a PhD student based at the Wolfson Atmospheric Chemistry Laboratories (WACL) at the University of York, working on the reactivity of aroma chemicals. I previously completed my Masters in Environmental Chemistry at the University of Bayreuth (Germany) in 2023.

In my Masters project, I designed an atmospheric simulation chamber, which I then used to study the OH radical-induced photooxidation mechanism of toluene. After graduating, I stayed in the atmospheric chemistry group in Bayreuth for another year to do research on the spatial and temporal variability of VOCs in cities by conducting mobile PTR-ToF-MS measurements. Outside of work, I enjoy cycling, bouldering, reading, music, and long walks.

Qualifications

Masters of Science (MSc) in Environmental Chemistry.

Research interests

Analytical chemistry, photochemical reactions in the atmosphere, chemical kinetics, data analysis and numerical modelling.

Project title

Fates and Impacts of Aroma Chemicals in Air.

Supervisors

• Dr Terry Dillon
• Professor Nicola Carslaw

Funding

NERC Panorama Doctoral Training Partnership.

Project outline

Aroma chemicals are added to and emitted from a wide range of household products. They can therefore reach high concentrations in indoor air, where they can then oxidize to form potentially harmful photooxidation products. However, the gas-phase reactivity and chemical mechanisms have long been neglected in the assessment of aroma chemicals, so that their fate and impact on indoor air quality remains uncertain.

This project therefore aims (i) to identify commonly used but poorly characterized aroma chemicals, using analytical techniques such as online MS and GC-MS, (ii) to determine their oxidation rates and mechanisms by conducting absolute and relative rate measurements, chamber experiments, and quantum chemical calculations, and (iii) to integrate these results into model simulations and to assess critical properties such as lifetime, impact on the oxidant budget, and the potential to form secondary pollutants.