Dr Ben Drummond
Ben works on the development and application of numerical atmosphere models to gain a better understanding of atmospheric composition, with a focus on air quality.
Areas of Expertise
- Air quality modelling
- Numerical atmospheric chemistry modelling
- Modelling of natural and semi-natural pollutants in the atmosphere (wildfire smoke, dust)
Current activities
Ben works on improving our understanding of air quality through development and use of air quality atmosphere models for research and operational forecasting. Ben is currently deeply involved in the development of the Met Office’s next-generation air quality model. He also has a growing interest in modelling smoke dispersion processes for wildfires that occur in the UK. He has a passion for the natural environment and is current chair of the Met Office’s Biodiversity Working Group, who work to continually improve the Met Office Headquarters site for a wide diversity of flora and fauna.
Career background
Ben graduated from Keele University in 2012 with a dual honours BSc in Astrophysics with Medicinal Chemistry and was awarded the Tekdata-Cryoconnect Award for Best Degree in Astrophysics. In 2013, he completed a Master of Research (MRes) degree in Climate and Atmosphere Science at the University of Leeds and investigated aerosol modelling in the Arctic region. He was awarded the Meteorological Office Prize for Best Overall Student Performance (2013). In 2023, Ben became a Chartered Physicist with the Institute of Physics.
Combining the themes of Astrophysics and Atmospheric Science, Ben moved to the University of Exeter to research the atmospheres of extra-solar planets. During a PhD (2013-2017) and several years as a post-doctoral research fellow, he developed (then) state-of-the-art numerical models to study hot Jupiter atmospheres.
Ben joined the Air Quality Modelling team at the Met Office in 2019.