Dr. Jonathan Higham | Air Quality | Best Researcher Award
Dr. Jonathan Higham, The University of Liverpool, United Kingdom
Summary of Suitability for Best Researcher Award: Dr. Jonny Edward Higham
Dr. Jonny Edward Higham, Senior Lecturer at the University of Liverpool, is a distinguished researcher whose interdisciplinary work in machine learning (ML), artificial intelligence (AI), and environmental engineering has made a significant impact on public safety, healthcare, and environmental policy. His research excellence, practical innovation, and mentorship make him an outstanding candidate for the Best Researcher Award.
🎓 Education
-
PhD in Environmental Fluid Mechanics, University of Sheffield (2013–2016)
-
MEng in Civil & Structural Engineering, University of Sheffield (2009–2013)
-
MEng in E.T.S. de Ingeniería de Caminos, Canales y Puertos, Universidad de Granada (2012)
-
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2016)
-
Currently pursuing Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy
💼 Work Experience
-
👨🏫 Senior Lecturer, Department of Geography and Planning, University of Liverpool (2018–Present)
-
Led £190k MarRI-UK project using ML and SVD for nearshore bathymetry, cutting port costs by 15%
-
Principal Investigator for £30k MarRI-UK Digital Shipyard project using AI in shipbuilding with Lloyd’s Register
-
Developed YOLOv8-based boulder detection model (78% accuracy) for maritime navigation
-
Engineered ML models for aerosol dynamics during COVID-19, contributing to NHS protocols
-
Installed 58-sensor air quality network across Liverpool, influencing city policy
-
Founded and leads Liverpool Employer-Led Academy (LELA), launched 2024
-
Supervises 10 PhD students (4 completed, 6 ongoing)
-
Deputy Chair of FSE Ethics, SoES Commercialisation Lead
-
-
🧪 Oakridge Research Fellow, National Energy Technology Laboratories, U.S. Department of Energy (2016–2018)
-
Applied ML and linear algebra for granular flow analysis, laying groundwork for maritime and environmental innovations
-
🏆 Awards and Honors
-
🥇 American Physical Society Award (2020) – ML contributions to fluid mechanics
-
🎓 School Teaching Prize, University of Liverpool (2020) – for ML-based teaching innovations
-
💰 Faculty Teaching Development Grant, University of Liverpool (2020) – for AI-driven teaching tools
📊 Key Achievements
-
609 Google Scholar citations
-
35+ peer-reviewed publications
-
Established YOLOv8 models in sonar imaging and healthcare
-
Influenced NHS and Liverpool City Council with ML-driven research
-
Leads national-level MarRI-UK maritime innovation projects