Background:

• Postdoctoral Research Associate, The Pennsylvania State University, 1990-95
• National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award 2000-2005
• Indiana University Teaching Excellence Recognition Award

Our research focuses on characterizing the chemical mechanisms in the atmosphere that influence regional air quality and global climate change. An accurate understanding of this chemistry is essential to assess, control, and predict the impact of anthropogenic perturbations on the chemical and radiative properties of the atmosphere. Research projects in our group include laboratory experiments that isolate important chemical reactions and in-situ measurements of free radicals in the atmosphere.

One specific area of research involves studies of the chemistry of biogenic emissions to the atmosphere that can contribute to the production of ozone, the primary component of photochemical smog. We are currently studying the chemical mechanism and efficiency of ozone production by these compounds in the laboratory using, resonance fluorescence, laser-induced fluorescence and mass spectrometric techniques for the detection of reactants, intermediates and products. These results are compared to predictions based on electronic structure calculations and reaction rate theories to help elucidate the factors controlling the reactivity of these systems.

Another area of research involves measurements of the hydroxyl radical (OH) in the atmosphere. The OH radical plays a central role in atmospheric chemistry, as reactions with OH are the primary removal process for most pollutants in the atmosphere. However because of its high reactivity, concentrations of OH in the atmosphere are extremely small (< 1 pptv) and its chemical lifetime very short (< 1 second). As a result, accurate measurements of OH, which provide a critical test of our understanding of atmospheric chemistry, are very difficult. We have constructed an instrument capable of detecting OH in the atmosphere with high sensitivity using laser-induced fluorescence techniques. This instrument will be used for both ground-based measurements of ambient OH concentrations, and laboratory experiments of OH radical chemistry. These results will be used to test and improve current models of atmospheric chemistry.

	Laser-induced fluorescence instrument for measuring OH radicals in the atmosphere.

Selected Publications:

"Measurements of the kinetics of the OH-initiated oxidation of methy vinyl ketone and methacrolein," with B. Chuong. Int. J. Chem. Kinet., 36, 12 (2004)

"Rate Constants for the gas-phase reactions of methylphenanthrenes with OH as a function of temperature," with W. Lee and R. A. Hites. J. Phys. Chem. A, 107, 6603 (2003)

"Kinetics of the OH methyl vinyl ketone and OH methacrolein reactions at low pressure," with B. Chuong. J. Phys. Chem. A, 107, 2185 (2003)

"Measurements of the kinetics of the OH-initiated oxidation of isoprene," with B. Chuong. J. Geophys. Res., 107 (D13), 4162 (2002)

"Measurements of the kinetics of the OH -pinene and OH -pinene reactions at low pressure," with B. Chuong, M. Davis, and M. Edwards. Int. J. Chem. Kinet., 34, 300 (2002)

"Theoretical and experimental studies of the reaction of OH with isoprene," with E. Seymour and Z. Li. J. Phys. Chem. A, 104, 5989 (2000)

"OH and HO₂ measurements using laser-induced fluorescence," with J. Mather and W. Brune. J. Geophys. Res., 102, 6427 (1997)