I am an atmospheric scientist who studies the fate and transport of air pollutants, such as mercury and ozone, over varying spatiotemporal scales. My work is motivated by the potential negative impacts that pollutant emissions can have on sensitive ecosystems and human populations. In my research, I have used both ground-based and airborne chemical and meteorological measurements to investigate the reactions and removal processes that pollutants undergo in the atmosphere. I also utilize statistical and meteorological models together with these measurements to distinguish between local, regional, and global emission sources of atmospheric contaminants.

My research focuses on the following three areas: atmospheric mercury chemistry and biogeochemical cycling, long-range transport of atmospheric pollutants, and impacts of urban/industrial emissions on local and regional air quality. In particular, I study the chemical mechanisms for mercury oxidation and reduction in the free troposphere, as well as the fate of mercury emissions from point sources. I am also interested in understanding the long-term trends in background ozone concentrations and the relative contributions from local, regional and global sources to ozone in the Western U.S.

While my academic training is in the field of atmospheric science, my scholarly activities cut across a number of scientific areas, including meteorology, geochemistry, engineering, and public health. My approach to research and teaching is therefore interdisciplinary and covers topics that range from local to global in scale. I strongly value the use of field-based research and teaching methods, as well as the application of scientific exploration toward contemporary issues of human health, climate change, and environmental policy.

Outside of work, I enjoy being outdoors with my family (including my two young children), camping, hiking, playing games, reading books, and watching college sports.