Simona Cristescu
Simona M. Cristescu is Associate Professor at Radboud University, Nijmegen, where she heads the Trace Detection Laboratory (TDLab). Her research focuses on laser-based spectroscopy and mass spectrometry for chemical analysis, particularly gas sensing. With a Ph.D. in physics and an extensive track record in coordinating major national and EU projects, her expertise in analytical infrastructure directly supports the ExpACT in advancing high-resolution air pollutant mapping and real-time chemical analysis.
Within ExpACT, she leads Work Package 3 in Pillar I and co-chairs the ExpACT Consortium Council and Executive Committee. Her activities focus on developeing and deploying advanced techniques to sensitively track the chemical exposome in the air. This includes hydrocarbons, nitrogen and sulphur compounds, aldehydes, and PAHs. More specifically, she uses mid-infrared coherent open path spectroscopy (COPS) and mobile ToF-MS. By merging COPS with satellite spectroscopy, her goal is to map air pollutants with a high resolution in space and time. The extensive real-time analysis of gases and aerosols provides an in-depth picture of air composition. This will ultimately protect public health through highly accurate environmental monitoring.
"My goal is to successfully develop and deploy innovative technologies to generate highly accurate, multi-scale datasets needed to drive real societal impact."
