Research output per year
Research output per year
Personal profile
Research interests
Prof. Pfrang’s research is mainly in the area of gas-phase and heterogeneous atmospheric chemistry focussing on the fate of atmospheric aerosols and their impacts on air quality and climate change. He is also studying reactions of initiators of atmospheric oxidation (in particular ozone and nitrate radicals) with volatile organic compounds (VOCs), e.g. stress-induced plant emissions. Experimental studies mainly developing levitation, monolayer, X-ray & neutron scattering techniques are complemented by computational work predicting the kinetic behaviour of species of atmospheric importance (e.g. co-developing the aerosol models K2–SUB, KM–SUB, KM–GAP and most recently the modelling framework MultilayerPy).
Prof. Pfrang is also aiming to link atmospheric chemistry to related research topics in meteorology, environmental & plant sciences to advance the understanding of the urban environment with a recent focus on indoor air quality.
Biography
Christian Pfrang studied chemistry at the TU Munich, University of Oxford, and FU Berlin before his DPhil in Physical Chemistry with Prof. Richard P. Wayne at the University of Oxford. Following a stint as Carlo Schmid Fellow in the research department of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) and a Leverhulme Visiting Fellowship at Royal Holloway University of London, Prof. Pfrang took up a tenure-track RCUK Academic Fellowship at the University of Reading in 2007 before becoming Lecturer and Associate Professor of Physical & Atmospheric Chemistry. In 2016, Prof. Pfrang was a Visiting Professor at the University of Lille (France). In 2018, Prof. Pfrang moved to a Senior Lecturer post in the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Birmingham, where he was promoted to Reader and then Professor of Atmospheric Science while retaining his link to Reading as a Senior Visiting Research Fellow in the Department of Meteorology. Prof. Pfrang’s core expertise is atmospheric chemistry of aerosols, developing novel experimental and modelling tools often involving large-scale facilities, but he also has research interests in indoor air quality, urban greening, and wider implications of air pollution and climate change.
Education/Academic qualification
Doctor of Philosophy, Nitrate Radicals in the Atmosphere: Reactions with Man-made and Stress-induced Plant Emissions, and with Peroxy Radicals., University of Oxford
External positions
University of Bristol
1 Oct 2022 → 14 Jul 2025
University of Reading
1 May 2018 → …
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 2 Zero Hunger -
SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation -
SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy -
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure -
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities -
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities -
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production -
SDG 13 Climate Action -
SDG 14 Life Below Water -
SDG 15 Life on Land
Fingerprint
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or
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Air exchange rates in a naturally ventilated apartment: a multi-box modelling approach using occupant-generated CO2 decay measurements
Su, Y., Dai, Y. & Pfrang, C., Jun 2026, In: Results in Engineering. 30, 11 p., 110563.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile6 Downloads (Pure) -
A Mixed Methods Study to Determine the Sources and Impact of Indoor Air Pollution in Patients with Chronic Respiratory Disease
Holt, E., Ignatowicz, A., Thirugnanasambanthar, J., Sontan, O., Maung, T. Z., Milsom, A., Pfrang, C. & Turner, A. M., 25 Jun 2026, (Accepted/In press) In: Indoor Air.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Cooking aerosols in all-electric flat and studio accommodations: event-scale emissions, transport, and exposure assessments using low-cost sensors
Tang, R., Yu, B. & Pfrang, C., 18 Mar 2026, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Environmental Science: Advances. 15 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile10 Downloads (Pure) -
Functionalised mesoporous silica nanoparticles for dye removal: Experimental insights and predictive modelling
Oyehan, T. A., Pfrang, C. & Valsami-Jones, E., Mar 2026, In: Results in Engineering. 29, 15 p., 108412.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile11 Downloads (Pure) -
Hierarchical Environmental Exposure Transforms Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 and Increases Toxicity in Daphnia magna
Chakraborty, S., Mikulska, I., Boseley, R., Pham, S., Bhadane, P., Dhumal, P., Majumder, S., Mandal, J., Geraki, T., Misra, S. K., Pfrang, C. & Lynch, I., 26 May 2026, (E-pub ahead of print) In: ACS Nano. 22 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile9 Downloads (Pure)
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Part I & II: Ventilation improvements to existing stations
Pfrang, C. (Principal Investigator) & Fraga, B. (Co-Investigator)
18/04/26 → 20/01/27
Project: Research
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BreatHE IN: Building Healthier Environments Indoors Network
Pfrang, C. (Co-Investigator), Bartington, S. (Co-Investigator) & Fraga, B. (Principal Investigator)
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council
1/11/25 → 31/10/27
Project: Research Councils
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INHABIT (Indoor HABItability during the Transition to Net Zero Housing)
Bloss, W. (Co-Investigator), Zhong, J. (Co-Investigator), Shi, Z. (Principal Investigator), Elliott, R. (Co-Investigator), Prestwood, E. (Co-Investigator), Pfrang, C. (Co-Investigator), Dai, Y. (Co-Investigator), Bartington, S. (Co-Investigator), Jowett, S. (Co-Investigator), Shan, Y. (Co-Investigator), Freer, M. (Co-Investigator) & Liu, B. (Co-Investigator)
13/02/25 → 12/02/30
Project: Research
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Developing Active Green Walls for Classrooms - student Marianne Barnard
Pfrang, C. (Principal Investigator)
The Royal Horticultural Society
2/12/24 → 1/06/28
Project: Research
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Investigating the Impact of Plants on Indoor Air Quality: a Multi-scale Cross-disciplinary Approach
Pfrang, C. (Principal Investigator)
The Royal Horticultural Society
2/06/16 → 1/12/28
Project: Research
Datasets
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Research data supporting the publication "Acoustic levitation of pollen and visualisation of hygroscopic behaviour"
Mills, S. (Creator), Milsom, A. (Creator), Pfrang, C. (Creator), MacKenzie, R. (Creator) & Pope, F. (Creator), University of Birmingham, 6 Apr 2023
DOI: 10.25500/edata.bham.00000923
Dataset
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Indoor Air Quality Emissions & Modelling System (IAQ-EMS) - Indoor Air pollutants database
Mazzeo, A. (Creator), Nasar, Z. (Creator) & Pfrang, C. (Creator), University of Birmingham, 23 May 2023
DOI: 10.25500/edata.bham.00000955
Dataset
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Indoor Air Quality Emissions & Modelling System (IAQ-EMS) field measurement data
Shi, Z. (Creator), Pfrang, C. (Creator), Brean, J. (Creator), Acton, J. (Creator) & Sahu, R. (Creator), University of Birmingham, 2 Apr 2025
DOI: 10.25500/edata.bham.00001264
Dataset
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Indoor Air Pollutants Inventory (InAPI) Tool
Mazzeo, A. (Creator), Nazir, Z. A. (Creator) & Pfrang, C. (Creator), University of Birmingham, 20 Dec 2024
DOI: 10.25500/edata.bham.00001221
Dataset
Activities
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BreatHE IN Sandpit 1
Cosway, E. (Organiser), Fraga, B. (Host), Pfrang, C. (Contributor), Bartington, S. (Contributor), Contera, S. (Contributor), Luo, Z. (Contributor) & Varaden, D. (Keynote speaker)
29 Apr 2026Activity: Academic and Industrial events › Conference, workshop or symposium
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Principal Speaker Talk on Atmospheric Chemistry at Future Directions in Molecular Scattering workshop at Heriot-Watt University
Pfrang, C. (Keynote speaker)
14 Apr 2026Activity: Academic and Industrial events › Guest lecture or Invited talk
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Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (External organisation)
Pfrang, C. (Advisor)
1 Apr 2026 → …Activity: Membership › Membership of board
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BreatHE IN - Roundtable 1
Fraga, B. (Host), Pfrang, C. (Member of programme committee), Monka, A. (Participant), Cha, W. (Participant), Cosway, E. (Organiser) & Barbero, M. (Contributor)
20 Jan 2026Activity: Engagement and Public events › Engagement event
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Invited talk entitled "Biogenic VOCs, levitated & nano-structured aerosols, bees and urban smell: a journey through atmospheric chemistry research."
Pfrang, C. (Invited speaker)
2 Dec 2025Activity: Academic and Industrial events › Guest lecture or Invited talk
Prizes
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2025 Society Impact Award from ISIS Neutron & Muon Source.
Pfrang, C. (Recipient), 19 Mar 2025
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Award from the Birmingham & West Midlands Convention Bureau Conference Ambassador Network
Pfrang, C. (Recipient), 17 Mar 2026
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Award of Best Paper of 2022 in Royal Society of Chemistry's Environmental Science: Atmospheres journal
Pfrang, C. (Recipient) & Milsom, A. (Recipient), 27 Mar 2023
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Press/Media
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Scientists could dim the Sun as a quick fix for the climate crisis. Here's why it could cause global chaos
13/06/26
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press / Media
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Levitating droplets to study pollution and disease transmission
Pfrang, C. & Milsom, A.
3/12/25
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press / Media
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TV Feature on the Indoor Air Quality Performance of Air Fryers.
22/05/25
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press / Media
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Indoor Air Quality article in The Independent entitled "The truth about your scented candle habit"
3/05/25
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press / Media
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TV Feature on the Impact of Candles on Cognitive Performance and Indoor Air Quality.
Pfrang, C., Pope, F. & Faherty, T.
9/04/25
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press / Media