Cohort Level: Cohort - III

Career Goal: Once I graduate from my current degree program, I am pondering my PhD studies. Because of the supportive environment that is NOAA-CESSRST and my faculty advisor, I am inspired right now, to continue my studies. However, if this does not happen I plan on getting a job with a NOAA-mission related enterprise agency.

Expected Graduation Date: August 31, 2021

Degree: M.S Earth System Science & Environmental Engineering

Research Title: Analyzing Atmospheric Total Column NO2 and O3 Variability in Urban Environments using Ground- and Satellite- Based Instruments

Research Synopsis: Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3) are two of six criteria pollutants for which National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) have been set by the federal Clean Air Act (CAA) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA). In urban areas, burning of fossil fuels and other human activities result in high amounts and strong variability of tropospheric NO2 and O3, with harmful impacts on both human health and ecosystems. The effects of these trace gases can be exacerbated by a number of human and environmental pressures, including changing wind patterns, rising temperatures, episodic events, and urban development.