
Dr Ian Bull
B.Sc. (Bristol), Ph.D.(Bristol)
Expertise
Current positions
Associate Professor of Analytical Chemistry
School of Chemistry
Contact
Media contact
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Biography
I obtained a BSc in Chemistry in 1993 from the University of Bristol. I then undertook a PhD within the Organic Geochemistry Unit (OGU) gaining my doctorate in 1998.
I have remained in Bristol first as a PDRA then, from 2007, as a University Research Fellow. In January I became an Associate Professor of Analytical Chemistry. I am Head of the National Environmental Isotope Facility (NEIF) - Bristol laboratory.
I am also an editor for Frontiers in Geochemistry, Organic Geochemistry and the European Journal of Soil Science.
I have remained in Bristol first as a PDRA then, from 2007, as a University Research Fellow. In January I became an Associate Professor of Analytical Chemistry. I am Head of the National Environmental Isotope Facility (NEIF) - Bristol laboratory.
I am also an editor for Frontiers in Geochemistry, Organic Geochemistry and the European Journal of Soil Science.
Research interests
My research concerns organic compounds in soil and other related environments. Specific areas of interest include:
- the molecular fate of organic matter in soil,
- use of volatile compounds (VOCs) as proxies for soil function and health,
- chemical/microbiological consequences and fate of plastics in the soil,
- ancient/contemporary sewage pollution in soils, sediments and freshwater,
- the effect that soil fauna have on the decomposition of soil organic matter,
- decomposition and detection of human and animal remains in soils,
- development of organic and light isotope mass spectrometric analytical methodologies,
- ultra complex mixture analysis of environmental samples.
Projects and supervisions
Research projects
NEIF LC-MS/MS Instrument
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of ChemistryDates
01/10/2022 to 30/09/2023
Gas chromatograph-combustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometer for enhanced compound-specific N isotope determinations for biogeochemical research
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of ChemistryDates
01/10/2019 to 01/10/2020
8083 NERC NEIF Facility I Bull
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of ChemistryDates
01/04/2019 to 31/03/2024
Updated NERC Facility Recommissioning Estimate
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of ChemistryDates
01/04/2019 to 31/03/2020
NERC LSMSF Contract Extension 2018-2019
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of ChemistryDates
01/04/2018 to 31/03/2019
Thesis supervisions
Publications
Recent publications
13/10/2022Conserved signalling components coordinate epidermal patterning and cuticle deposition in barley
Nature Communications
Conserved signalling components coordinate epidermal patterning and cuticle deposition in barley
Nature Communications
Intestinal Parasites in the Neolithic Population Who Built Stonehenge (Durrington Walls, 2500 BCE)
Parasitology
Mechanisms of nitrogen transfer in a model clover-ryegrass pasture: a 15N-tracer approach
Plant and Soil
Nutrient (C, N and P) enrichment induces significant changes in the soil metabolite profile and microbial carbon partitioning
Soil Biology and Biochemistry
Thesis
New molecular methods for tracing natural and anthropogenic inputs to soils and sediments.
Supervisors
Award date
01/01/1997
Teaching
I teach at all levels within the School of Chemistry. My teaching focusses on analytical and environmental chemistry. Units within which I currently deliver teaching are:
CHEM10012 - Life Chemistry: Life through the chemical lens
CHEM20004/20006/20010 - Intermediate Practical and Analytical Chemistry
CHEM20012 - Environmental Life Chemistry (Unit Director)
CHEM30026 - The Art of Chemistry: Advanced Analytical Chemistry
I deliver tutorials at Levels 1 and 2 plus I supervise 3 to 4 final year undergraduate projects each year.
CHEM10012 - Life Chemistry: Life through the chemical lens
CHEM20004/20006/20010 - Intermediate Practical and Analytical Chemistry
CHEM20012 - Environmental Life Chemistry (Unit Director)
CHEM30026 - The Art of Chemistry: Advanced Analytical Chemistry
I deliver tutorials at Levels 1 and 2 plus I supervise 3 to 4 final year undergraduate projects each year.