Surrey Professor wins 'Nobel Prize'-style award for air quality
Prashant Kumar says he's "honoured and privileged" after picking up the win
A professor at the University Of Surrey says he's honoured and privileged to have won an award often considered the "nobel prize" for air quality
Prashant Kumar has won the Haegen Smit Clean Air Award for his exceptional leadership and achievements in the field.
Professor Kumar, Founding Director of the University of Surrey's Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE), has been recognised for his contribution to international education. CARB cited Professor Kumar's "transformative contributions, widespread impacts, novel accomplishments, and exceptional leadership and achievements in this field".
Professor Kumar is one of the most highly cited scientists in his field and is a leading researcher on the impact air pollution has on the health of children and young people. His current focus is on the impact kitchen-based air pollution has on vulnerable communities and the impact green-blue-gray infrastructure (such as trees, lakes and stormwater) has on mitigating air pollution and excessive heat in towns and cities.
Professor Max Lu, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Surrey, said:
“I have seen first-hand how passionate Prashant is about research that addresses indoor and outdoor air pollution. He has conducted many citizen science projects, helping people understand air quality standards in their neighbourhoods and has helped them develop ways to monitor and improve it.
"Prashant lives by GCARE's ethos – clean air for all. We are proud that his work at Surrey has been recognised with this prestigious Haagen-Smit Clean Air Award."