Connor Barker

I specialise in atmospheric chemical modelling and developing emission inventories for satellite megaconstellations at UCL's Atmospheric Composition and Air Quality Group. My research focuses on simulating the environmental impacts of satellite megaconstellation emissions and improving the modelling of dry deposition processes of volatile organic compounds.

More about Dr Barker

I obtained my PhD in Earth Sciences from Royal Holloway, University of London in 2022, funded by a Departmental Studentship. My PhD research addressed uncertainties in the radiative forcing of atmospheric aerosol by spectroscopically monitoring the optical properties of individual optically trapped atmospheric aerosol particles throughout chemical reactions. This included constructing a bespoke spectroscopic system to study ultraviolet-visible Mie scattering. 

Education

• PhD in Earth Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, 2018-2022
• MChem in Chemistry with Industrial Experience, University of Manchester, 2014-2018

Work Experience

• Research Technician in Super Resolution Fluorescence Microscopy, Science and Technology Facilities Council, 2022-2023
• Industrial Placement in the Lasers for Science Facility, Science and Technology Facilities Council, 2016-2017

Publications

• Connor R. Barker, Martin D. King, and Andrew D. Ward, "Separation-dependent near-field effects in Mie scattering spectra of two optically trapped aerosol droplets," Opt. Express 32, 21042-21060 (2024) (Editor’s Pick)
• Barker, C., Marais, E., and McDowell, J.: Developing inventories of by-products from satellite megaconstellation launches and disposal to determine the influence on stratospheric ozone and climate, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-6467, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-6467, 2024.
• Barker, C. R., Poole, M. L., Wilkinson, M., Morison, J., Wilson, A., Little, G., Stuckey, E. J., Welbourn, R. J. L., Ward, A. D., & King, M. D. (2023). Ultraviolet refractive index values of organic aerosol extracted from deciduous forestry, urban and marine environments. Environmental Science: Atmospheres, 3, 1008-1024, doi: 10.1039/D3EA00005B 
• Barker, C. R., Lewns, F. K., Poologasundarampillai, G., & Ward, A. D. (2022). In Situ Sol–Gel Synthesis of Unique Silica Structures Using Airborne Assembly: Implications for In-Air Reactive Manufacturing. ACS Applied Nano Materials, 5(8), 11699-11706, doi: 10.1021/acsanm.2c02683

Research Interests

I am based in Dr Eloise Marais’ Atmospheric Composition and Air Quality Group at UCL. My research focuses on developing emission inventories for launches and re-entries from current and future satellite megaconstellations such as Starlink and OneWeb. I use the GEOS-Chem chemical transport model to simulate how the megaconstellation emissions affect stratospheric ozone and radiative forcing.