Noakes' parents had careers in computer science and aerospace engineering.[1]
In 1996, Noakes received a BEnginmathematical engineering from the School of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Leeds.[2][3] During this time she became interested in the mathematics of fluid dynamics.[1] In 2000, Noakes received a PhD from the School of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Leeds, where she studied slow exit phenomena in slide-fed curtain coating systems, specifically for coating photographic paper, with a thesis entitled Slot Exit Flow Phenomena in Industrial Slide-Fed Coating Systems.[2]
For a short time Noakes worked with the printing and coating company Delpro in Glossop, including on development of a drier used for coating Euro banknotes. However, in 2002 she moved to an academic post-doctoral position studying airflow and UV-C in disease prevention at the University of Leeds and subsequently gained a permanent position there.[1]
Noakes investigates environmental fluid flow, with a focus on the ventilation of buildings and how this impacts indoor air quality. She develops mathematical models to assess the risk of airborne transmission, expanding on the Wells-Riley equation to include stochastic effects.[4] As part of these efforts, Noakes has led collaborations with the National Health Service and Public Health England to prevent the spread of airborne viruses through hospitals.[5] Airborne transmission is known to be an issue in tuberculosis and influenza.[6] Noakes has developed computational tools to better monitor and control patient environments for infection control. In a presentation at the Bradford Festival of Science, Noakes revealed that one in fifty people acquire an infection during their time in hospital. The impact of these infections, and need for follow-up care, results in a major unnecessary expenditure.[7]
In 2010 Noakes was made Director of the Pathogen Control Research Institute. Noakes is a member of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Centre for Doctoral Training in Aerosol Science.[8] Noakes was promoted to Professor in 2014. She serves on the editorial board of the Elsevier journal Building and Environment and the Wiley journal Indoor Air.[9][10] From 2014 to 2017 Noakes led the University of Leeds Faculty of Engineering Athena SWAN scheme.[2]
In 2016 Noakes started the Low-Energy Ventilation Network (LEVN), a team of people who look to better understand building physics.[11] She has looked to understand whether indoor environments impact the cognitive performance of people inside.[12] She serves as Deputy Director of the Leeds Institute of Fluid Dynamics, and co-directs their Centre for Doctoral Training.[13][14]
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