PhD student Tomasz Turek: - A good mathematician will come in handy anywhere

• Mathematics – the mother of all sciences - is also applicable in ecology. PhD student Tomasz Turek uses it to study and model air pollution in cities.
• Tomasz is to pursue part of his PhD in Italy at the University of Ferrara.

Tomasz Turek began his scientific career at the Wrocław University of Technology, where he graduated with an engineering and master's degree in applied mathematics.

– Towards the end of my Master's degree, I realised that most of my colleagues were choosing to work in finance and banking, whereas I also had an interest in developing in other, more tangible and physical areas of mathematics. When I told my then supervisor about it, he referred me to Prof. Joanna Kamińska, and that's how our cooperation started – says the present PhD student at the UPWr Doctoral School.

Mathematics and ecology

At the Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Tomasz's doctoral thesis involves the analysis and modelling of air pollution in urban agglomerations. On the basis of available data on urban traffic and weather conditions, he seeks to build and optimise models that describe the phenomenon accurately, yet in a mathematically and statistically correct way.

– So far, the main pollutants I have investigated have been nitrogen oxides. These gases are mainly generated by internal combustion engines, the concentration of which is strongly correlated to urban traffic. Such research, as well obtaining reliable results, is crucial in view of combating anthropogenic air pollution – says the doctoral student.

His research, which will provide knowledge on the impact of individual factors on the final concentration values, should help influence decision-makers to introduce, for example, so-called clean transport zones or other 'green' solutions currently applied in other large European cities. – It will undoubtedly have an impact on air quality, and thus on the health and quality of life of urban residents - adds Tomasz.

Polish-Italian partnership

Tomasz Turek is carrying out his scientific work under the supervision of Prof. Joanna Kamińska from the Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences and assistant supervisor Prof. Guido Sciavicco from the University of Ferrara in Italy.

– I have been Tomasz's supervisor for less than two years, but we started our scientific adventure three years ago. Tomasz was unsuccessful in getting into the Doctoral School in 2019, but showed great determination to meet the entry requirements the following year. That's how we started our joint research, which was then published, and in 2020 we started working on his doctoral degree together – says Prof. Kamińska, also talking about the nature of a mathematician's work. – We mostly work remotely, exchanging ideas and putting them into practice. Tomasz operates a great mathematical tool and observes the effects of theory clashing with the results of real measurements - adds the supervisor. 

In addition, as part of the tasks of the WCE Leading Research Team, to which Prof. Kamińska belongs, they have also jointly conducted measurements of atmospheric soot concentration in the Wrocław area, while riding bicycles with mounted measuring devices.

– My work with Prof. Kamińska is going very smoothly – we keep in touch and consult on a regular basis, often swapping ideas for further analyses and work. I had already met Prof. Guido Sciavicco on a project led by Prof. Kaminska before I joined the Doctoral School, so we're yet to start truly working together on my doctoral research – says the doctoral student about his relations with his supervisors.

Prof. Sciavicco, who deals with artificial intelligence, computational logic and intelligent data analysis, says that the scientists are currently trying to organise the continuation of Tomasz's research at the University of Ferrara in Italy, which was postponed due to the pandemic. – We will work together on intelligent data with regards to sustainability, focusing on air quality data and its correlation – says Professor Sciavicco.

After completing his PhD studies, Tomasz Turek would like to continue to engage in various scientific projects. - I think my knowledge and skills in working with data and mathematical modelling can help in many areas of science. I would be willing to expand my field of interest in air pollution to include medicine, epidemiology or energy – a good mathematician will come in handy anywhere – says the PhD student.