My Research

I'm currently a first-year Atmospheric Chemistry graduate student at the University of Washington's Department of Atmospheric Sciences. I'm co-advised by Dr. Alex Turner and Dr. Joel Thornton.

My research focuses on biogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions, their chemical transformations in the atmosphere, and their potential impacts on air quality. Specifically, I'm interested in detecting biogenic isoprene emissions from broadleaf forests. I study these compounds through remote sensing techniques like infrared spectroscopy and solar-induced fluoresence (SIF). My current project uses solar-induced fluoresence as a potential proxy for isoprene emissions. 

Past Research

Prior to coming to the University of Washington, I worked with Dr. Stan Sander and Dr. Zhao-Cheng Zeng on JPL's CLARS-FTS (Fourier-Transform infrared Spectrometer at the California Laboratory for Atmospheric Remote Sensing) instrument on Mt. Wilson, California. My project investigated high methane events during the 2015-2016 Aliso Canyon leak in Porter Ranch; I then extend the methodology to identify other potentially high methane events throughout the entire CLARS-FTS dataset (2011-2021). A paper on these high methane events is currently in the works.

Finally, I worked as an undergraduate researcher in the Stutz Lab at UCLA's Department of Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences studying how nitrous acid (HONO) chemistry is affected by turbulent vertical mixing in the lowest 10 meters. I used the group's PACT-1D model to quantify how sensitive certain HONO surface production processes are to changes in eddy diffusivity coefficients (Kz).