Paul N. Williams is a Lecturer in Soil & Environmental Biogeochemistry. Paul obtained his Ph.D. degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Aberdeen in 2007. Previous to working at Queen’s he has held Research Fellowships with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lancaster University and a Lectureship with the University of Nottingham. 

Paul, an analytical and environmental chemist, has research interests orientated around the role of soils and rhizospheres in global food security. Specific interests and projects focus on the influence of soil dynamic processes and chemical speciation on trace element (both toxic and essential) uptake by plants, visualising rhizosphere micro-heterogeneity through high resolution measurements using DGT and DET techniques, and bettering in situ monitoring of the environment.

Techniques and methods that Paul uses include multi-element chromatography (IC-ICP-MS), laser-based analytical measurement (LA-ICP-MS), passive sampling (DGT, DET), optical sensors (colour ratiometric planar optodes), in-situ UV/vis spectrometry and XRF analysis.

Module Coordinator for: 

BBC8042: Foundations for Research in the Biosciences (MSc)

BIO3307: Project Work (Ag Tech) 

Teaching Contribution to: 

ALU8002: Advanced Food Bioanalysis (MSc)

BIO1302: Fundamentals of Nutrition and Food Policy 

BIO3207 Global Issues in Agriculture 

BIO4102: Advanced Food Bioanalysis (MSci) 

BIO8101: Food Safety and Health 

BIO8201: Advanced Analytical Tools for Food Security 

BIO8202: Food Integrity, Fraud and Traceability (MSc/MSci)

BIO4301: Research Project (MSci) 

BIO3302: Project (FQSN)

LFE8008: Rural Development Project 

ACADEMIC JOURNALS

2016-present       Journal of Exposure & Health. Assoc. Editor

2015-present       Journal of Environmental Quality (JEQ) Assoc. Editor

2013-present       Journal of Agricultural Sciences (JAS), Cambridge. Assoc. Editor

2013-present       Water Quality, Exposure  & Health. Editorial Board. 

2008-present       Environmental Pollution. Editorial Board.