Professor Catherine Noakes
Noakes, Professor of Environmental Engineering for Buildings at Leeds University, was recognised for her contribution to research on indoor air quality and the transmission and control of airborne infection.
In delivering Professor Noakes’ citation for this award, Dr Christopher Iddon, Chair of the CIBSE Natural Ventilation Group commented:
“The importance of good indoor environments has never been so prominent in public discourse and Professor Noakes has helped raise this public knowledge through her many appearances on national news and radio shows.
It is this lifetime of work and her recent dedication to the national efforts during the pandemic, that the CIBSE Natural Ventilation Special Interest Group proposed Cath for an honorary lifetime CIBSE membership.”
Much of Professor Noakes’ work has gone on to inform CIBSE and government guidance. Specifically, Noakes supported CIBSE in producing guidance on ventilation for COVID-19 and she has contributed to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on ventilation for control of the virus.
Professor Noakes’ knowledge of ventilation and infection transmission led her to becoming one of the government’s key scientific advisers on COVID-19. In recognition of her work, she was received an OBE in September 2020.
Professor Noakes co-led the Low Energy Ventilation Network (LEVN) which brought together researchers, industrial practitioners, and students to set the research agenda for the future of building ventilation, fostering an environment of collaboration.
With a strong focus on indoor air quality and investigating the transmission and control of airborne infection in healthcare environments, Professor Noakes’ recent studies have involved analysis to model the spread of airborne pathogens and the effectiveness of control devices, and the development of epidemic models that incorporate the influence of the physical environment and the behaviour of people.
Professor Noakes was awarded CIBSE Honorary Fellowship at the CIBSE AGM 2022, which took place on 5 May at the Royal Society London.