Dr. Vaios Moschos is a Research Fellow in the Centre for Climate and Air Pollution Studies (C-CAPS), Ryan Institute, University of Galway. He is an atmospheric scientist specialising in the chemistry and climate impacts of aerosols—tiny airborne particles that influence air quality, cloud formation and Earth’s energy balance. His work combines long-term observatory records with advanced chemical and optical measurements to understand how natural emissions and human activities shape aerosol properties and their radiative effects.

At Galway, he leads research on (i) decadal changes in aerosol composition at the Mace Head Atmospheric Research Station and how these translate into climate-relevant radiative forcing, and (ii) wintertime PM2.5 source attribution in Irish towns affected by residential solid-fuel heating.

Marine boundary-layer aerosols and air–sea exchange: how sea spray, marine organics and biogenic sulphur shape particle populations over the North Atlantic and their climate relevance.

Aerosol–cloud–radiation interactions: translating composition into “what aerosols do” (cloud droplet activation and light scattering/absorption) to reduce uncertainty in climate forcing.

Brown carbon and aerosol optics: identifying which organic molecule families drive wavelength-dependent light absorption, and how this varies by source and ageing.

Long-term trends and attribution: using robust trend methods and source apportionment to diagnose how changing emissions and climate-sensitive marine processes alter aerosol forcing over time.

Policy-relevant air quality: winter PM2.5 source apportionment and evidence that supports cleaner-heating transitions and targeted mitigation.

Vaios’ teaching is research-led and strongly skills-focused: helping students connect fundamental atmospheric science with real observations, data analysis and societal relevance. He uses active learning approaches (problem-based exercises, interactive polling, and hands-on measurement examples) and has developed interactive teaching tools to explore climate drivers and sensitivity (including aerosols).

Topics he is keen to teach and/or develop include:

Atmospheric aerosols and clouds (sources, processes, impacts)

Marine boundary layer processes and air–sea exchange

Climate forcing by short-lived species (aerosols, ozone precursors)

Atmospheric measurement techniques (from field sampling to spectroscopy and mass spectrometry concepts)

Environmental/atmospheric data analysis, inference and uncertainty-aware interpretation

AEROTREND (EPA Ireland) – Air pollutant Evolution and Regulatory Outcomes through TRend EvaluatioN and Diagnostics
AEROTREND will deliver Ireland’s first nationwide, harmonised assessment of long-term trends in short-lived climate pollutants—such as black/organic carbon, ozone, methane and key aerosol components—by combining high-quality measurements from coastal and urban monitoring sites with satellite data and emissions inventories. Using advanced statistical trend methods, the project will quantify how both background pollution and high-pollution episodes have changed over recent decades, and assess how these changes relate to air-quality regulations and climate variability. It will also identify the main sources (domestic, marine/biogenic and transboundary) and the pathways by which pollutants reach Ireland using chemical fingerprinting, source apportionment and transport analysis. The resulting open datasets and policy-focused outputs will support Ireland’s Clean Air Strategy and Climate Action Plan and strengthen evidence for EU and international reporting.

TownAir (EPA Ireland) – Wintertime PM2.5 source attribution in Irish towns
Field measurements and source apportionment focused on winter pollution episodes in towns impacted by residential solid-fuel heating, designed to produce actionable evidence for local/national decision-making and community engagement around cleaner air.