Kenny Wood

Prof Kenny Wood is a Professor in the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of St Andrews. He holds a PhD from the University of Glasgow, specializing in astrophysics, and teaches undergraduate modules on stars and stellar evolution. His research focuses on star formation, interstellar medium structure, and medical applications of light-based therapies. He collaborates with oncologists and laser experts to advance photodynamic therapy (PDT) for skin cancer, using Monte Carlo radiation transfer simulations. He has supervised PhD student Rebecca Meehan and leads projects funded by the Science & Technology Facilities Council. His work bridges astronomy and medical physics, contributing to sustainable health solutions (SDG 3) through innovations like Far-UVC inactivation technology.

Education:

• Ph.D., Astrophysics, University of Glasgow
• B.Sc., Physics & Astronomy, University of Glasgow

Research Interests: Combines 3D radiation transfer models with observational astronomy and medical physics. Key areas include protoplanetary disk dynamics, magnetic accretion in pre-main sequence stars, and PDT efficacy optimization via light penetration studies. Current projects explore daylight PDT and Far-UVC applications in public health.

Grants & Projects:

• SALTT for Coronavirus Inactivation (2020-2021)
• Astronomy at St Andrews (2015-2022)
• Far-UVC inactivation in large spaces (2023)

Labs/Teams: Member of the Centre for Biophotonics, collaborating with the Scottish Photodynamic Therapy Centre and St Andrews laser research groups.