08-03 2025 22:20
wrote:
I first met Nigel during as an undergraduate at Imperial in the early 1990s. His were the lectures that I really looked forward to - full of insight, energy, and passion for making meaningful and practical contributions towards environmental improvements. So it was not surprising that I was determined to do my final year dissertation under Nigel, over a very memorable summer at Silwood Park. Later that year, Nigel got in touch with me to inform me that he had a PhD studentship that he thought I would be suited for. He called my parents' home, had a very warm conversation with my mother that she remembers to this day telling her that I would be very well looked after with his team, and told me to put on my best shirt and get down to London for the interview for the studentship. Things worked out and I was lucky enough to do my PhD under Nigel, as part of his fantastic air pollution impacts team and benefiting from the fantastic partnerships that Nigel had established with air pollution researchers in Indian and Pakistani universities. I spent two years in India studying air pollution impacts on agriculture, corresponding frequently with Nigel via incredibly clunky 1990s email hampered by frequent power cuts and exploding electricity connections. After my PhD, I kept in contact with Nigel throughout my career. He was always interested in what I was doing and unfailingly supportive, often inviting me back to ICCET/CEP as a guest lecturer and PHD examiner, and recommending students to me for recruitment. He took a real interest in my life beyond work and was always tickled by my Welsh farmer hinterland / alter ego, always remembering to ask me how lambing was going and when I'd be off home again for shearing. It was always such a pleasure to see and speak to Nigel, including the times we bumped into each other at Paddington station while waiting for our respective trains - which would usually result in catching a later train so that we could catch up properly over a pint. I know that I'm just one of many people who Nigel helped, supported and took genuine interest in over the years. His enthusiasm and passion have been passed on to hundreds if not thousands of young and not not-so-young environmental professionals. Thank you NIgel. I shall miss you, and I won't forget you.
08-03 2025 22:20
wrote:
I first met Nigel during as an undergraduate at Imperial in the early 1990s. His were the lectures that I really looked forward to - full of insight, energy, and passion for making meaningful and practical contributions towards environmental improvements. So it was not surprising that I was determined to do my final year dissertation under Nigel, over a very memorable summer at Silwood Park. Later that year, Nigel got in touch with me to inform me that he had a PhD studentship that he thought I would be suited for. He called my parents' home, had a very warm conversation with my mother that she remembers to this day telling her that I would be very well looked after with his team, and told me to put on my best shirt and get down to London for the interview for the studentship. Things worked out and I was lucky enough to do my PhD under Nigel, as part of his fantastic air pollution impacts team and benefiting from the fantastic partnerships that Nigel had established with air pollution researchers in Indian and Pakistani universities. I spent two years in India studying air pollution impacts on agriculture, corresponding frequently with Nigel via incredibly clunky 1990s email hampered by frequent power cuts and exploding electricity connections. After my PhD, I kept in contact with Nigel throughout my career. He was always interested in what I was doing and unfailingly supportive, often inviting me back to ICCET/CEP as a guest lecturer and PHD examiner, and recommending students to me for recruitment. He took a real interest in my life beyond work and was always tickled by my Welsh farmer hinterland / alter ego, always remembering to ask me how lambing was going and when I'd be off home again for shearing. It was always such a pleasure to see and speak to Nigel, including the times we bumped into each other at Paddington station while waiting for our respective trains - which would usually result in catching a later train so that we could catch up properly over a pint. I know that I'm just one of many people who Nigel helped, supported and took genuine interest in over the years. His enthusiasm and passion have been passed on to hundreds if not thousands of young and not not-so-young environmental professionals. Thank you NIgel. I shall miss you, and I won't forget you.
