Mahal Humberstone

Mahal Humberstone

I am currently an Mbiol student at Wadham college researching the profiles of biogenic volatile organic compounds (bVOCs) in Oxford greenspaces, including the Oxford Botanic Garden, University Parks, Warneford Hospital Orchard, and Wytham Woods. My project focuses on collecting, analysing and comparing these bVOC profiles across sites, and determining  how these emissions may vary with the biodiversity of each site, as well as temporal changes across the year. 

This project aims to build upon research concerning the positive impacts of bVOCs on human wellbeing. Insights regarding how bVOC profiles correlate with plant composition aims to inform the management of urban greenspaces to increase their benefits for human health, particularly mental wellbeing.