TropOz is a NERC (Natural Environment Research Council, UK) funded project bringing together a world-class team of empirical scientists and ecosystem modelers. Our cross disciplinary team gains from complementary expertise across the range of fields necessary to understand the mechanisms and implications of O3 impacts on tropical plant productivity.
Project Investigators
Prof Stephen Sitch
A Professor in Physical Geography at the University of Exeter, with over 25 years research experience in Earth System Science. His research focuses on the role of vegetation in the climate system. (Prof. Sitch, UoE)
Dr Alexander Cheesman
A plant ecophysiologist with a PhD in soil science, Alex is an empirical scientist interested in the dynamic interplay of tropical forests with a changing world. (Dr. Cheesman, UoE & JCU)
Prof Lucas Cernusak
A plant ecophysiologist focused on understanding gas exchange from leaf to ecosystem scales, with emphasis on tropical forest responses to global change. (Prof. Cernusak, JCU)
Prof Lina Mercado
A plant ecophysiologist & vegetation/biogeochemical modeler who uses observations and computer models to understand how plants respond to climate and in turn how climate is affected by vegetation. (Prof. Mercado, UoE)
Dr Felicity Hayes
A plant ecophysiologist, head of the UK’s Centre for Ecology & Hydrology solardome facility in Bangor and Chair of the ICP Vegetation working group investigating the impacts of air pollutants on crops and natural vegetation. (Dr. Felicity Hayes, CEH)
Prof. Johan Uddling Fredin
A researcher interested in how changes in the environment affect trees and crops and processes in their ecosystems (e.g. hydrology, productivity, species composition) (Prof. J. Uddling, UoG)
Dr Gerd Folberth
A senior scientist at the Met Office’s Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction and Research. His research is focused on gaining a better understanding of the interactions and links between human and natural emissions of trace gases and pollutants, air quality and climate change. (Dr Gerd Folberth, UK Met Office)
Project Alumni
A/Prof Mst Nahid Farha
Completed her PhD at James Cook University in 2024. Exploring how leaf morphological and biochemical traits shape tropical species responses to ozone (A/Prof Mst Nahid Farha, RUET)
Dr Florence Alice Brown
Completed her PhD at the University of Exeter in 2024. Using climate modelling to explore ozone-plant damage in tropical forests. (Dr Flossie Brown, ETH)