AirUCI faculty Claudia Czimczik and her team have published a new study of permafrost emissions during autumn and winter months. For the first time they were able to directly measure these gases using a new tool designed by the Czimczik researchers, and their findings contradict current thinking that the Arctic soil microbes take a break during colder months and generate fewer greenhouse gases than in summer and spring. Read the article
News
Here's the latest news from AirUCI — our events, our people, our science.
2022
Tuesday, March 22, 2022
AirUCI faculty James Randerson is quoted in a Los Angeles Times article describing how climate change is decimating Anza-Borrego State Park. Between 1984 and 2017, his study found that native vegetation declined 37.5% across a study area that stretched from the U.S.-Mexico border to Palm Springs. "You think of it as a super-hot and dry place, but it’s also vulnerable to climate change,” said James. Read the article
Friday, March 18, 2022
As we typically do, numerous AirUCI researchers are giving presentations at the 2022 ACS Spring Conference to be held March 20 - 24 in San Diego. Faculty, researchers, students — even a summer undergraduate and our current Fulbright Fellow — will be speaking in person and/or presenting posters at this prestigious event.
Tuesday, March 15, 2022
AirUCI faculty Jun Wu is quoted in a March 15th Healthline article saying that leaded gasoline continues to be one of the most significant sources of environmental toxicity in the United States. “Definitely it’s on the top of the list for long-term impact on IQ and children’s cognitive ability and future success and achievement,” she said. “Lead paint and lead pipes are relatively localized, but leaded gasoline really brought the issue to a regional and national scale.” Read the article
Wednesday, March 9, 2022
AirUCI faculty Jun Wu has been selected by Orange Coast Magazine as one of Orange County's 2022 'Kickass Women." This is the second year that the magazine has profiled women of Orange County in this way. Jun was included among this impressive group for her role as Co-Director of UCI's Center for Environmental Health Disparities Research as well as her dedication to working closely with local communities to address Environmental Justice issues. Read the article
Monday, March 7, 2022
AirUCI faculty Don Blake will be this year’s recipient of the Tolman Medal, awarded each year by the Southern California Section of the American Chemical Society in recognition of outstanding contributions to chemistry. These contributions may include achievements in fundamental studies; achievements in chemical technology; significant contributions to chemical education; or outstanding leadership in science on a national level. Way to go, Don!
Thursday, March 3, 2022
AirUCI faculty Jun Wu has published a study which found that a smaller number of low-cost air pollution sensors were distributed across the state in communities with lower socioeconomic status, and with higher proportions of racial/ethnic minority populations. The study also discovered a lack of functioning air sensors in areas with greater levels of ambient fine particulate matter – where they are most needed. Additional authors are AirUCI's Dr. Shahir Masri and Dr. Amirhosein Mousavi, formerly a postdoctoral research scientist with AirUCI. Read the article
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
UCI News has profiled a new study by AirUCI faculty Ulrike Luderer in which she links air pollution with adverse ovarian health. Working with Ulrike on the project were AirUCI Project Scientists Veronique Perraud and Lisa Wingen. The research findings indicate that particulates in air can cause premature ovarian failure, or early menopause, which has implications for other health issues such as osteoporosis, heart conditions, and Alzheimer's. Read the article
Sunday, January 30, 2022
AirUCI faculty Jun Wu wrote an opinion piece for the January 30th Voice of OC online newspaper in which she made the case for the City of Santa Ana to include more robust Environmental Justice policies in its general plan per California SB 100. The city is preparing to approve the current plan, which has inadequate measuring of air quality and lacks actionable goals. Read the article
Wednesday, January 26, 2022
AirUCI faculty Alex Guenther is among the seven UCI researchers who have been named 2022 fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. As a professor in UCI's Department of Earth System Science, Alex was recognized for distinguished contributions to the field of biogenic emissions of volatile organic compounds to the atmosphere and their effects on atmospheric chemistry. Congratulations, Alex!
