Matt Loxham

Professor Matt Loxham is a Professorial Research Fellow within the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Southampton, where he is supported by a David Phillips Fellowship from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). He is also a member of the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, the Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute, and the University of Southampton Institute for Life Sciences. He has 15 years' experience in researching the potential health effects of particulate matter air pollution, with a focus on lung diseases including asthma and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. He has published over 50 papers addressing the nature, characterisation, measurement, and effects of air pollution particles from sources including underground railways, road vehicles, and ships. He has also provided evidence and advice to local, regional, and national policymakers and NGOs.

His current research focuses on the effects on the lungs of heavy metals in air pollution and the mechanisms used by our lung cells to defend themselves. He greatly enjoys collaborating with colleagues in diverse fields including analytical geochemistry, fluid dynamics and modelling, clinical medicine, optoelectronics, tribology (the study of friction, wear, and lubrication), and epidemiology.