Current research project: Multi-Wavelength Observations of Geoeffective Solar Flares

My current research is aiming to understand the cause and effect of quasi-periodic pulsations in chromospheric UV emission lines during the impulsive phase of solar flares and the subsequent impact on planetary atmospheres. The extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and X-ray radiation emitted by flares, has been shown to affect planetary atmospheres and most notably can cause considerable increases in the electron density of the Earth's ionosphere. This can have profound impacts such as the destabilisation of satellite orbits, radio communication blackouts, and interference with navigation systems and aircraft operations, all of which are integral to modern society. 

My research involves the analysis of datasets of solar flares simultaneously observed by various space-based instruments, including those on board the Solar Orbiter, SDO and GOES missions, and also utilises ground-based ionospheric monitors to investigate potential atmospheric impacts of chromospheric flare radiation. 

Biography:

Before beginning my PhD, I completed a 4-year integrated masters in Applied Mathematics and Physics at Queen's University Belfast. My MSci project involved the investigation and characterisation of coronal post-flare loop systems imaged in the 1600Å and 1700Å channels of the Solar Dynamics Observatory's Atmospheric Imaging Assembly.

Research interests:

Solar flare observations
EUV Flare Diagnostics 
Ionospheric Disturbances
Space Weather 

Supervisors: 

Dr Ryan Milligan and Prof. David Jess