Cohort Level: Cohort - III

Career Goal: Once I graduate from UMBC with my B.A Physics Education degree, I plan to begin teaching in a high school in Maryland. My projected counties/districts include Baltimore City, Anne Arundel County, or Howard County. During my time as a high school science teacher, I plan to earn my Master degree in education; however, unsure what education graduate programs there are. Long term, I would like to strive to become a professor of education or physics at a college institution. All in all, I will be pursuing higher education once I graduate.

Expected Graduation Date: May 20, 2021

Degree: B.A Physics Education

Research Title: Remote Sensing of Particle Pollution over Baltimore

Research Synopsis: Elastic light detection and ranging (lidar) measurements allows to monitor long-range transport of particulates, such as dust and smoke, that impact local and regional air quality. Lidar measurements enhance current knowledge and understanding on how vertical layering and long range transport of natural and anthropogenic particle pollution may alter the relationship between column aerosol optical depth and surface particle pollution concentrations. The frequency and impact of transport of Canadian and Alaskan wildfire smoke to the Mid-Atlantic is analyzed by merging ground based air quality monitors, lidar and satellite remote sensing retrievals to yield of a three dimensional assessment of particle pollution over the Baltimore Washington metropolitan area.