The group welcomed a new post doc, Ryan Reynolds (not the actor!).  Ryan will be investigating gas-particle interactions using the Temperature Programmed Desorption (TPD)-Knudsen cell apparatus – Welcome to the group Ryan!

On Oct. 04th, three of our current undergaduate students, Maryam, Ellie and Katelyn participated in the 40th Informal Gathering on Atmospheric Sciences and Photochemistry (IGASP) Symposium hosted at UCSD.  Maryam presented her work on the photoxidation of acetomiprid, a neonicotinoid pesticide, in presence of TiO₂ particles.  Ellie presented her summer research project looking at the oxidation of aromatic compounds by OH radicals and the measurement of the oxidation products using Matrix Assisted Ionization in Vacuum (MAIV) and Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry (CIMS).  Lastly, Katelyn presented her work on Temperature Programmed Desorption (TPD) measurements of benzene and limonene from silica surfaces.   All did a fantastic job, well done everyone!

It’s been another busy summer in the Finlayson-Pitts group!  Here are a few highlights:

photo credits: Steve Zylius/UC Irvine

On July 08th, we were fortunate to chat with AirUCI alumni and NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell-Dyson, who is on board of the International Space Station for 6 months!  We had an exciting time asking her a few questions on what it’s like to be on board of the ISS, and what is her personal perspective looking down on Earth.  Watch the full interview here.

On Aug. 08th, three of our current undergaduate students, Maryam, Ellie and Katelyn participated in the SoCal Undergraduate Research Symposium.  Maryam presented her work on the photoxidation of acetomiprid, a neonicotinoid pesticide, in presence of TiO₂ particles.  Ellie presented her summer research project looking at the oxidation of aromatic compounds by OH radicals and the measurement of the oxidation products using Matrix Assisted Ionization in Vacuum (MAIV) and Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry (CIMS).  Lastly, Katelyn presented her work on Temperature Programmed Desorption (TPD) measurements of benzene and limonene from silica surfaces.   All did a fantastic job on their first ever conference presentation, well done everyone!

The spring quarter has culminated with a few awards to recognize undergraduate excellence:  two students from the group received awards at the 2024 Chemistry Department Undergraduate Awards Ceremony including Katelyn who was awarded the Michael E. Gebel Undergraduate Award for her work on synthesizing self assembled monolayers (SAM) on silica particles to ultimately study organic gas uptake and probe particle growth, and Patricia who was awarded the ACS Environmental Chemistry Undergraduate Award for her work on new particle formation from the reaction of methanesulfonic acid with multifunctional amines.  Patricia will be headed soon to Univ. of California, San Diego where she will be starting a graduate program in atmospheric chemistry.

In addition, our postdoctoral fellow, Kristen, was awarded a safety award for her work in promoting a strong safety culture in the lab, and being a positive role model for exemplary safety practice!  Kristen will be headed soon to Tennessee where she will start a professor position at a primarily undergraduate institution.

Way to go everyone, Congratulations!