Biology Dissertation Topics

Biology Dissertation Topics

Info: Biology Dissertation Topics
Published: 23th May 2025 in Biology Dissertation Topics

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Dissertation Topic 1: Unifying Aerosol Activation Schemes in Marine Cloud Brightening Simulations

Background Context

Marine cloud brightening (MCB) requires accurate modeling of aerosol activation. Current aerosol activation schemes differ in their macro- and microphysical assumptions to activate aerosol into cloud droplets, causing differences in output from models estimating cloud albedo responses. These differences create a challenge for making predictions about the consequences of regional or global deployments (Song, P., et al., 2025; Zhang, Y., et al., 2025).

Research Questions

1. What are the limitations of current models of aerosol activation schemes in MCB relevant conditions?
2. How do the collated aerosol activation schemes impact droplet concentration, or cloud optical depth?
3. Can a hybrid scheme for aerosol activation be developed and applied consistently by all models?

Potential Implications

  • Unified models will bolster confidence in MCB feasibility
  • Improved comparability between simulation studies
  • Improved thresholds for readiness of field experiments

    • Suggested Reading

  • Song et al. (2025). The effectiveness of solar radiation management using fine sea spray across multiple climatic regions. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 25, 2473–2494.
  • Zhang et al. (2025). Impact of host climate model on contrail cirrus effective radiative forcing estimates. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 25, 473–489.
    • Are you needing help selecting a dissertation topic in climate modeling and aerosol physics? PhD Assistance Research Lab works with PhDs to identify critical research gaps related to aerosol-cloud interactions so that new and innovative, model-based dissertation topics may be conceived. Reach out to us for personalized suggestions linked to your climate engineering-based simulation topic.

    Dissertation Topic 2: Dissertation Topic 2: Validating Cirrus Cloud Thinning (CCT) Models Using Satellite Observations

    Background Context

    Cirrus cloud thinning (CCT) was proposed to help reduce the heat retention of the Earth by affecting the ice nuclei, but current climate models rely on unvalidated assumptions. Satellite-derived products (e.g., CALIPSO data) may help constrain some microphysical parameters and allow an improved measure of radiative forcing (Erfani & Mitchell, 2025; Zhang et al., 2025).

    Research Questions

    1. To what extent do GCMs reproduce satellite-observed cirrus properties? 2. What are the relative impacts of ice crystal size and ice crystal phase on radiative forcing? 3. How can CCT implementation concerning climate models and satellite data improve reliability?

    Potential Implications

  • Grounded estimates for CCT cooling impacts
  • A validation framework for high-altitude SRM approaches
  • Better basis for policymaking on atmospheric interventions

    • Suggested Reading

  • Erfani & Mitchell (2025). Constraining a Radiative Transfer Model with Satellite Retrievals: Implications for Cirrus Cloud Thinning. EGUsphere Preprint.
  • Zhang et al. (2025). Impact of host climate model on contrail cirrus effective radiative forcing estimates. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 25, 473–489.
    • Are you struggling to speak about your PhD topic through the lens of remote sensing and atmospheric intervention research? PhD Assistance Research Labs were designed to assist researchers identify interdisciplinary topics to assess satellite observing systems data, radiative forcing models, and leading edge SRM research, using atmospheric climate interventions. We can help create a validated, data-driven territory dissertation topic in Atmospheric Science.

    Dissertation Topic 3: Evaluating Additivity and Synergies in Multi-Region MCB Deployments

    Background Context

    Most MCB simulations focus on single regions, but actual deployment will require coordination across multiple regions. It is not clear whether climatic effects from regional deployments are additive, or whether they will have synergistic effects or offsetting interactions (Lee et al, 2025; WCRP, 2025).

    Research Questions

    1. Are the MCB responses across separate basins additive?
    2. What are the explicit teleconnections associating the multi-site MCB effects?
    3. Can deployment strategies be coordinated to generate synergistic cooling?

    Potential Implications

  • Global MCB planning with diminished unintended consequences
  • Policy creation and design for regional and international collaborative interventions.
  • Another way in which climate resilience can be built for areas with the most vulnerability.

    • Suggested Reading

  • Lee et al. (2025). First Simulations of Feedback Algorithm-Regulated Marine Cloud Brightening. Geophysical Research Letters.
  • WCRP (2025). Lighthouse activity: An assessment of major research gaps in solar radiation modification research. Frontiers in Climate.
    • Are you looking for a systems level dissertation topic on geoengineering or international climate strategy? Our experienced staff will meet with PhDs to outline the important, although predominantly unintended impacts and feedback interactions, accountability issues, governance implications and the necessary geographic considerations related to multi site MCB adventures. Let’s collaborate to write a dissertation that has global significance to assess the synergy of SRM policy and modelling

    Dissertation Topic 4: Exploring the Climate and Radiative Dimension of Surface Albedo Modification through Enhanced Rock Weathering

    Background Context

    Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) is known primarily as a method for carbon capture, and as it applies to surface reflectivity, it has the potential for Surface Albedo Modification (SAM) and regional cooling, particularly in arid or agricultural regions, however, the albedo-climate feedbacks related to ERW have not been well explored (Jian et al., 2025; Marston & Ibarra, 2025).

    Research Questions

    1. What is the net radiative effect of SAM through ERW in various regions?
    2. Could we utilise ERW in a way to, at a minimum enhance SRM benefits, whilst providing increased CDR benefits?
    3. What albedo feedback come from changes in land-use?

    Potential Impact

  • Climate-smart agriculture and land management
  • Internalization of CDR and SRM in policy (globally)
  • More refined models for land surface-atmosphere coupling models

    • Suggested Reading

  • Jian et al. (2025). Land-Use Change and Surface-Albedo Cooling from Enhanced Rock Weathering. Nature Climate Solutons.
  • Marston, J. B. & Ibarra, D. E. (2025). Removing Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Using Large Land Or Ocean Areas Will Change Earth Albedo And Force Climate. Physical Review Applied, 15 (1), 014001. –
    • Are you thinking about a dissertation topic that brings together climate-smart agriculture with geoengineering? At PhD Assistance Research Lab, we support students to create interdisciplinary dissertation topics that assess the combined effects of both land-based CDR and SRM strategies, such as ERW and SMR. Get in touch to set up a research program with a land-climate interface that will provide opportunities to fill important research gaps.

    Dissertation Topic 5: Marine Ecosystem Impacts of Regional Marine Cloud Brightening Interventions

    Background context

    Marine Cloud Brightening (MCB) will likely influence more than just the climate, as changes in levels of light, temperature and ocean stratification may have direct effects on marine ecosystems, including significant changes to primary productivity and biodiversity. New research emphasizes the important need for ecosystem-informed environmental modeling integrated into research frameworks that engage in SRM modelling (Ayissi et al., 2025; Hernandez-Jaramillo et al., 2025).

    Research Questions

    1. How do the direct and indirect effects of MCB influence phytoplankton productivity and trophic interactions?
    2. Which ocean ecosystems experience the most sensitivity to MCB effects?
    3. How can the MCB deployment phase be structured in a way that respects the maintenance of marine biodiversity?

    Potential Impacts

  • Provide effective SRM interventions that manage the ecological risks succeeding MCB and ensure it has a double benefit with respect to climate change and ecological sustainability.
  • Stimulate cross disciplinary collaboration between ecology, oceanography and geoengineering
  • Provide a way to assess the impacts MCB could have on oceanographic ecosystems

    • Suggested Reading

  • Hernandez-Jaramillo et al. (2025). A review of plume dispersion and measurement techniques applicable to marine cloud brightening. Frontiers in Marine Science, 12.
  • Ayissi et al. (2025). Ocean Stratification and Phytoplankton Response to MCB in Equatorial Waters. Journal of Marine Systems.
    • Are you hoping to develop a marine science and climate intervention dissertation topic? PhD Assistance Research Lab helps researchers to generate ecologically informed SRM dissertation topics, which include best practices regarding marine biodiversity, marine food webs, and deployment protocols. Join us to develop a dissertation topic that embraces both ecological integrity and modelling

    Dissertation Topic 6: Multi-Criteria Evaluation of Economic Feasibility & Lifecycle Assessment in Adaptive Reuse Projects

    Background Context

    As adaptive reuse is widely positioned as a sustainable and less-costly way forward than a new build, we have almost no empirical analysis that encompasses its economic feasibility across a building life cycle. Most examination of adaptive reuse projects exist primarily in architectural or heritage context and make evident their general avoidance of analysis that balances costs and benefits over a longer term. The lack of standardized methods of estimating lifecycle costs and reuse opportunity costs, and value after occupancy contributes to the uncertainty developers, policy makers and investors face deciding whether to pursue reuse investments.

    Research Questions

  • What economic and lifecycle assessment models are best for AR projects situated in dramatically different urban contexts, such as suburbs, rural areas, and downtown economic districts?
  • What part do multi-criteria decision-making tools play in helping evaluate economic feasibility and viability related to AR initiatives
  • What are the positive/negative economic trade-offs associated with costs of preservation, retrofit, and new builds looked at across a building life cycle?

    • Potential Contributions

  • Framework that lends to a practical way to provide credible feasibility studies for adaptive reuse.
  • Decision making and evaluation tools that provide assistance to investors, architects and urban planners.
  • Evidence-based policy recommendations and increased understanding of private investment in to adaptive reuse.

    • Suggested Reading

    • Langston, C., Wong, F. K. W., Hui, E. C. M., & Shen, L. Y. (2008). Strategic assessment of building adaptive reuse opportunities in Hong Kong. Building and Environment, 43(10), 1709–1718.
    • Douglas, J. (2006). Building Adaptation. Butterworth-Heinemann.
    • Shipley, R., Utz, S., & Parsons, M. (2006). Does adaptive reuse pay? A study of the business of building renovation in Ontario, Canada. International Journal of Heritage Studies, 12(6), 505–520.

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