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Research Interests:

The major theme of my research involves the study of chemical and physical processes impacting the fate of anthropogenic and biogenic emissions and their effects on air quality, the climate system, and global cycles of atmospheric species. The atmospheric chemistry group specializes in measurements of atmospheric trace gases and aerosols; especially those involved in tropospheric ozone production and airborne particulate matter. Another major area of research is aimed at developing instrumentation for the measurement of chemical composition of the atmosphere, primarily the more reactive species.

1. Field Measurements of Trace Gas and Aerosol Pollutants
Our group has long term measurement sites at Whiteface Mountain in the Adirondacks, and Pinnacle State Park in the New York´s Southern Tier. At these sites we make continuous year-round measurements of more than 20 chemical and physical parameters. We work closely with New York State DEC at their New York City sites and have conducted 3 special studies in Queens, NYC in the past decade.

2. Urban, Near Roadway, and On Road Measurements of Pollutants
We have outfitted a 2007 Dodge Sprinter van with sampling systems and instrumentation for high time resolution measurement of gas phase and aerosol pollutants. Measurement systems deployed to date in the mobile laboratory include the Aerodyne Research High Resolution Time-of-Flight Aerosol Mass Spectrometer and Quantum Cascade Laser Absorption Spectrometer, as well as a Photoacoustic Soot Spectrometer, and Fast Mobility Particle Sizer, a Water-Based Condensation Particle Counter, and analyzers for measuring gaseous CO2, O3, NO, and NO2.

3. Instrument and Method Development and Evaluation for Continuous Measurement Systems
Our group has been involved in the development and evaluation of continuous measurement systems that can be operated 24/7/365 to provide data over seasons and years.

4. Measurement and Analysis of New Particle Formation
Quantitative measurements of particles below 10 nm, and even 5 nm, is a large experimental challenge. We aim to make these difficult measurements, and combine these measurements with companion measurements, theory, and analysis to understand the nucleation and growth of new particles in the atmosphere.

5. Laboratory Measurements of Aerosol Chemistry and Dynamics, and Evaluation of Instrumentation

6. Evaluation and Analysis of Measurement Data, including Long Term Trends of Trace Species, and Detailed Analysis of Intensive Field Projects