This webinar included two speakers:

• Dr Sandra Persiani, Alexander von Humboldt Postdoctoral Researcher, Technical University of Munich, Germany: Symbiotic Indoor Environments: Researching Interactions between Plants, Humans and the Indoor Microbiome

• Prof Prashant Kumar, PI for RECLAIM Network Plus, GCARE, University of Surrey: Legacy of the RECLAIM Network Plus
  

Speakers

Dr Sandra Persiani

Alexander von Humboldt Postdoctoral Researcher

Technical University of Munich, Germany

Title of Talk:
"Symbiotic Indoor Environments: Researching Interactions between Plants, Humans and the Indoor Microbiome"

Biography:

Sandra is a formed Architect and Researcher with a PhD in Environmental Design (2016), working between the fields of Architecture and Biology. Her interdisciplinary work addresses nature-based approaches to improve and measure Quality in the Built Environment looking at systematic aspects and synergies behind different actors from microbes to humans. In the last 5 years she has acquired experience planning, leading and managing field and lab experiments studying the effect of plants on humans and on the indoor environment. She has received a number of awards and scholarships among which the Alexander von Humboldt Postdoc Scholarship and the gold medal for Sustainable Architecture Fassa Bortolo XIII. She has also worked with the Helmholtz Centre Munich, Institute of Comparative Microbiome Analysis (COMI) and at the Energy Research Institute at Nanyang Technological University Singapore.

Prof Prashant Kumar
PI for RECLAIM Network Plus
GCARE, University of Surrey

Title of talk:
"Legacy of the RECLAIM Network Plus"

Biography:
Prashant Kumar is the founding Co-Director of the pan-university Institute for Sustainability and the founding Director of the Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE) at the University of Surrey. A highly cited cross-field researcher, he has published ~500 journal articles, with ~34,000 citations and over 450 policy citations. His work spans the interfaces of clean air, urban overheating, and human and environmental health in urban settings. His multidisciplinary research includes air-pollution monitoring and modelling, urban overheating, low-cost sensing, citizen-science engagement, and nature-based solutions for climate-change mitigation. He develops innovative technological and passive solutions, tools and guidance for both developed and developing regions. He currently leads numerous UKRI initiatives, including the RELCAIM Network Plus (outdoor greening for urban climate adaptation), GREENIN Micro Network Plus (indoor greening for climate resilience), and GP4Streets (DIY street-scale climate-adaptation solutions), all applying holistic, systems-based approaches to heat, health, and climate stresses.

This webinar included two speakers:

• Dr Emma Ferranti, Associate Professor in Civil Engineering at University of Birmingham: Urban forestry and climate adaption in Birmingham and the West Midlands

• Dr Sumit K. Mishra, Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR-National Physical Laboratory, India: Greening the Indoors: Nature-Based Solutions for Urban Sustainability

Speakers

Dr Emma Ferranti

Associate Professor in Civil Engineering
University of Birmingham

Title of Talk:
“Urban forestry and climate adaption in Birmingham and the West Midlands”

Biography:
Emma conducts interdisciplinary research connecting infrastructure, the built environment, and green infrastructure. Current projects includes WM-Adapt, the pan-EU adaptation project, Carmine, WM-Net Zero, Road to Net Zero and the Healthy Low-carbon Transport Hub (HLTH). She is lead Infrastructure author for the Climate Change Risk Assessment Technical Report (CCRA4) and serves on the UNECE Inland Transport Committee’s climate adaptation group. An advocate for urban trees, Emma co-facilitates the Trees and Design Action Group, curating the Seminar Series and developing practitioner resources. She serves on the Forestry and Woodlands Advisory Committee and Urban-FWAC and chairs the Birmingham Tree Board.

Dr Sumit K. Mishra

Senior Principal Scientist
CSIR-National Physical Laboratory, India

Title of talk:
“Greening the Indoors: Nature-Based Solutions for Urban Sustainability”

Biography:
Dr. Mishra earned an M.Sc. in Physics from Lucknow University, an M.Tech. in Atmospheric Physics from Pune University and IITM Pune, and a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering (Civil Engineering) from IIT Kanpur. He joined CSIR-National Physical Laboratory in 2009 as a scientist and is now Senior Principal Scientist. He has been a visiting researcher at Tokai University, Japan, and worked with Prof. V. Ramanathan at SCRIPPS, UC San Diego under an IUSSTF fellowship (2012-13). Dr. Mishra received the CSIR Young Scientist Award (2014) and is a member of BIS and CIPM committees on climate and environment. His research focuses on atmospheric particle characterization, air quality, and climate impacts, alongside developing lightweight pollution monitoring instruments for airborne platforms. He has published extensively in reputed journals and contributed to books and international reports.

Featuring guest speakers: 

• Dr Jens Thomas, Technical Director, Farm Urban: Vertical Farming and the Urban Environment

• Professor Ian Sinha, Respiratory Paediatrician, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Honorary Professor in Child Health, University of Liverpool: The Indoor Environment and Children's Health

Speakers

Dr Jens Thomas

Technical Director
Farm Urban

Title of the Talk:
“Vertical Farming and the Urban Environment”

Biography:
Dr Jens Thomas is the co-founder and Technical Director of Farm Urban. With a background in computational biochemistry and high-performance computing, he led the development of Farm Urban's pioneering urban vertical farm and now oversees the company's technical activities and research activities into innovative and sustainable ways to grow food in urban environments. The findings are used to deliver robust and efficient systems for urban food production, with integrated educational outreach programmes that aim to engage and inspire people to become more aware of the need for a more sustainable approach to food production and consumption.

Professor Ian Sinha,

Respiratory Paediatrician, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital
Honorary Professor in Child Health, University of Liverpool

Title of Talk:
"The Indoor Environment and Children's Health"

Biography:
Professor Ian Sinha is a full time respiratory paediatrician at Alder Hey CHildren’s Hospital, and Honorary Professor in Child Health at the University of Liverpool. He holds national leadership roles in respiratory paediatrics (clinical lead for paediatrics in the National Respiratory Audit Programme, NHS England North West Asthma Lead for Children), and has successfully accrued nearly 12 million pounds of competitive research grants. He has over 100 publications in peer-reviewed journals. He has a particular interest in the roles of environmental adverse exposures and child poverty on health inequalities in children and was recently commissioned to write the national strategy on health inequalities in children for the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.

Topic: Green Infrastructures in Iran & Green Climate Control

Featuring guest speakers: 

• Dr Elgar Kamjou, Researcher, UCD School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy: What green infrastructure means for residents of informal settlements in Iran

• Dr Tatiana Armijos Moya, Postdoc Researcher, Department of Architectural Engineering + Technology. TU Delft: Green Climate Control: Analysing the impact of (active) Plant-based Systems on the built environment

Dr Elgar Kamjou

Researcher
UCD School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy

Title of Talk:
“What green infrastructure means for residents of informal settlements in Iran”

Biography:
Elgar Kamjou is a researcher at UCD School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy, Dublin Ireland. Her research primarily explores the intersection of urban natural environments and planning policies with a specific focus on green infrastructure, climate adaptation, health, inequalities, and informality.

Dr Tatiana Armijos Moya

Postdoc Researcher
Department of Architectural Engineering + Technology. TU Delft

Title of Talk:
"Green Climate Control: Analysing the impact of (active) Plant-based Systems on the built environment"

Biography:
Tatiana Elizabeth Armijos Moya, PhD, is a Dutch-Ecuadorian architectural engineer specializing in sustainable building technologies and indoor environmental quality. She holds a PhD in Architectural Engineering and an MSc in Building Technology from TU Delft. Her research focuses on nature-based and circular climate control systems. As a postdoctoral researcher and work package leader for the EU-funded ENSNARE project, she also coordinates the Erasmus+ MicroMaster OPENFACE. Tatiana mentors students, develops MOOCs, and serves as editor of the Journal of Façade Design and Engineering. Her work bridges architecture, sustainability, and innovation to improve built environments and urban resilience worldwide

 Featuring guest speakers: 

• Dr Amy Phillips, Lecturer in Environmental Planning, University of Manchester: CoolSchools: Nature-based climate action from schools to cities

• Dr Rana Moustafa, Researcher, GCARE, University of Surrey: Urban Greening "How to" Toolkit for Local Authorities, Councillors and Officers

Speakers

Dr Amy Phillips

Lecturer in Environmental Planning
University of Manchester

Title of Talk:
"CoolSchools: Nature-based climate action from schools to cities"

Biography:
Amy Phillips is a Lecturer in Environmental Planning at the University of Manchester. Her research specializes in urban green inequalities, exploring the ways in which access to green spaces varies across social groups and space. Using participatory approaches, she examines how urban greening can support a just transition to more sustainable and inclusive cities. Her work thus far has explored access to green spaces, public preferences for street greening, as well as scenarios for the green city of tomorrow.

Dr Rana Moustafa

Researcher
GCARE, University of Surrey

Title of Talk:
“Urban Greening "How to" Toolkit for Local Authorities, Councillors and Officers”

Biography:
With 15 years of professional experience and a PhD in Environmental Engineering from the University of Surrey, Rana is committed to realizing a greener future for our planet. From co-founding a solar energy company to orchestrating key environmental projects at leading multinational corporations, her experiences span diverse sectors. In academia, her research contributions traverse various fields such as wastewater management, air pollution, transport, and health, fortifying her capacity to deliver unparalleled environmental and climate change consulting services to ministries, agencies, and MDBs. She is a committed member of the GCARE research team and currently consults for the World Bank Group.

Featuring guest speakers:

• Steve Archer, Project Manager, Environment Agency: Guildford Flood Alleviation Scheme: Reducing flood risk and enhancing the environment   

• Prof Prashant Kumar, Project Lead, GCARE, University of Surrey: Introduction to GREENIN Network Plus: Greening the Indoors: transformation of indoor environments in a changing climate

Speakers

Steve Archer

Project Manager
Environment Agency

Title of Talk:
"Guildford Flood Alleviation Scheme: Reducing flood risk and enhancing the environment"

Biography:
Steve is an accomplished Chartered Project Professional (Association for Project Management) and Chartered Engineer (Institution of Civil Engineers), with 30 years of experience in complex project management. His proven track record spans diverse sectors including environment, water, highways, buildings, and power. He had delivered successful outcomes for clients, consultants, and contractors alike. Steve works for Mott MacDonald and is currently seconded to the Environment Agency, as Project Manager for Guildford Flood Alleviation Scheme. This exciting project is to reduce flood risk, enhance the riverside environment and support regeneration of Guildford town centre (Surrey).

Prof Prashant Kumar

Principal Investigator, GREENIN Network Plus
GCARE, University of Surrey

Title of Talk:
"Introduction to GREENIN Network Plus: Greening the Indoors: transformation of indoor environments in a changing climate"

Biography:
Prof Prashant Kumar is a founding Co-Director of the Institute for Sustainability and Director of GCARE at the University of Surrey, where he is also Professor & Chair in Air Quality and Health. He has published 400+ journal articles (27,000+ citations, h-index 80), led £14M+ in research, and received global recognition, including the 2023 Haagen-Smit Clean Air Award and Clarivate’s Highly Cited Researcher (2022–23). An expert in air pollution, green infrastructure, and low-cost sensing, he advises governments and agencies worldwide. He also holds roles at Trinity College Dublin, Southeast University China, and Zero Carbon Guildford.