NSF NCAR Explorer Series: A History of Urban Air Quality

A lecture by Dr. Kelley Barsanti, Scientist III, NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research (NSF NCAR)

Learn about work in the Los Angeles Basin to study urban air quality during and after the COVID-19 pandemic and compared to historic measurements. The unique shift in human activity during the pandemic gave scientists a chance to learn more about the sources of pollution.

This program is part of our Thursday Nights @ the Museum series. Join us every Thursday from Sept. 11 until Dec. 11 for concerts, films, and free talks in the Longmont Museum’s Stewart Auditorium.

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Dr. Kelley Barsanti received her Ph.D. in Environmental Science & Engineering from the OGI School of Science & Engineering. She then served as an Advanced Study Program Postdoctoral Fellow at the National Center for Atmospheric Research. Dr. Barsanti’s research focuses on the development of mechanistic models for the prediction of atmospheric particulate matter (“aerosols”). Her primary research tools include comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography and process-level models to elucidate chemical and physical transformations of organic compounds as they evolve from gaseous emissions to particle constituents. Current research projects include improving speciation of organic compounds in emissions inventories for biomass burning and other combustion sources; improving model representation of secondary organic aerosol in biomass burning plumes; and developing models of new particle formation.