Research Interests 

Suspensions of small particles in air, known as aerosols, are present in the atmosphere due to natural and anthropogenic activities.  Aerosols influence Earth’s climate by scattering and absorbing incoming sunlight.  However, the climate effects of atmospheric aerosols are relatively poorly understood due to their complex and changing chemical and physical properties. 

The Curtis group studies the spectroscopic properties of atmospheric aerosol particles in order to better understand their effects on Earth’s climate.  These measurements are made using sensitive techniques such as cavity enhanced spectroscopy and polar nephelometry.  The goal of these studies is to better understand how aerosol particles influence global climate and urban visibility. 

Currently, the Curtis group is studying sea spray aerosol, which is produced from the oceans, and brown carbon aerosol, which is produced in wildfires (biomass burning) and is found in some urban smog particles.  Additionally, we are working on measuring heavy metals such as copper, in the aerosol produced from automobiles in an attempt to better understand their effects on human health. 

A newer direction for the Curtis laboratory is the study of the chemical composition and physical properties of the aerosol particles generated from the use of electronic cigarettes.  E-cigarettes are potentially less harmful than traditional tobacco cigarettes, but they have been shown to produce harmful heavy metals and organic components, which the user inhales during use.  The Curtis group is currently working to measure heavy metals and organic compounds in E-cigarette aerosol in order to better understand the mechanism by which these potential toxins are produced during E-cigarette use and their potential impact on human health.