AirUCI faculty Jun Wu is quoted in a January 31st article on MSN.com on a new study that highlights the need for improved wildfire preparedness in disadvantaged communities in the Eastern Coachella Valley. "Residents in ECV face unique challenges, from linguistic barriers to marginal government support," said Jun. The study, with lead author Anqi Jiao who is a grad student in Jun's research group, identifies effective ways to bridge critical communication gaps. "Tailored communications and active engagement can ensure that even the most disadvantaged populations are equipped to face the challenges and protected from devastating consequences," said Anqi. Read the article
News
Here's the latest news from AirUCI — our events, our people, our science.
2025
Monday, February 3, 2025
On February 3rd, AirUCI faculty Mike Kleinman was interviewed on the local KNBC-TV news about continued concerns over air quality after the January firestorm. The fire left behind a toxic legacy, as homes filled with everyday chemicals—like cleaning supplies, pesticides, and paint—burned alongside vehicles containing lithium and electric batteries, releasing dangerous pollutants into the air. “I think everybody in the Southern California area has reason for concern,” said Mike. View the video
Friday, January 31, 2025
On January 31stl, AirUCI faculty AnnMarie Carlton will host a visit from Prof. Ravi Ravishankara of Colorado State University. He will meet with AirUCI researchers and tour our labs.
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
On January 15th, AirUCI hosted a public lecture by NASA Astronaut Tracy Dyson. Our recording of the entire event is now available for viewing on YouTube. Thanks to Tatiana Overly, Director of Communications and External Relations in UCI's School of Physical Sciences, for her assistance in posting this video.
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
AirUCI faculty Mike Dennin, also UCI's Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning, served on a National Academies panel which has released their Consensus Study on Teaching. The report calls on leaders of institutions and academic units, instructors, and other stakeholders to leverage their roles to improve undergraduate STEM education so all students can thrive. Mike emphasizes that this is a long-term effort that will require concerted and consistent action by multiple stakeholders, within and beyond the higher education system. Read the study
Saturday, January 25, 2025
AirUCI faculty Michael Kleinman was interviewed on the local KNBC-TV news and asked to explain how rains forecast for January 24-27 could affect cleanup of the January firestorm burn areas in Los Angeles. “Underneath all the debris is contaminated and when the rains come, it’s going to dissolve some of the toxic material out and leach that into the ground and so it’s going to be necessary to take at least some of the portion of the topsoil off.” View the video
Thursday, January 16, 2025
From AirUCI Co-Director Sergey Nizkorodov:
I am deeply saddened to share the news about passing of Prof. Hind Al-Abadleh, who spent several months in early 2019 at AirUCI as a “Fulbright Canada Visiting Chair in Atmospheric Chemistry, Air Quality and Climate Change”. Hind’s passing earlier this month has been quite a shock to people who knew her energy and enthusiasm. Wilfred Laurier University has published a very nice memorial of Hind at this link: https://wlu.ca/news/spotlights/2025/jan/laurier-mourns-the-passing-of-hind-al-abadleh.html
She was a real star in the field of environmental chemistry, a great teacher and mentor to her students, a wonderful collaborator, a passionate public educator, and a great colleague. She has left a strong legacy of research in environmental physical chemistry, including a published book “Atmospheric Aerosol Chemistry: State of the Science”. You can learn more about Hind’s accomplishments at her website: https://www.halabadlehlab.us/about-dr-hind-al-abadleh.html
The Chemical Institute of Canada is coordinating efforts to honor’s Hind’s legacy. There are plans to have a symposium at a future Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition (CSC) devoted to the theme of Hind’s research, a themed journal issue, and an award named after her. We hope to know more soon.
Thursday, January 16, 2025
In a January 16th article on Yahoo Life, AirUCI Research Specialist Shahir Masri is asked about the AQI, a tool used by the Environmental Protection Agency in order to communicate outdoor air quality. Shahir says that the AQI is a helpful but imprecise tool which, for example, can’t tell us about very localized air pollution as it measures regions small to large depending on the placement of toxin monitors. “Similarly, the AQI considers average air quality over specified time windows,” he says. Read the article
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
AirUCI faculty Jim Randerson is quoted in a January 15th article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on the real causes of the firestorm ravaging Los Angeles. While it’s hard to attribute individual events to climate change, it’s abnormal for wildfires—like those in Los Angeles—to happen during January, but very dry conditions as well as hurricane-force winds helped set the city ablaze. Winter is the rainy season in Southern California, said Jim, and he can’t remember a time when it has not rained this far into January. Even an inch of rainfall would have helped hydrate shrubs before the Santa Ana winds kicked up. “That water shuts down any wind-driven fire,” Jim said. Read the article
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
AirUCI faculty Jun Wu is quoted in a January 14th article in Time Magazine on the best ways to protect yourself from wildfire smoke and ash. Toxic particles from burned buildings, burned chemicals, burned cars, etc. are an urgent threat to many areas in Los Angeles County after the deadly firestorm last week and residents are urged to wear N-95 masks. In addition to this threat, Jun advises that residents avoid turning on your fireplace, burning a candle, or frying food during the wildfire crisis. All can release chemicals and contribute to air pollution. "If you’re sweeping up ash inside your home, mist it with water first, and then use a damp cloth or mop to clean surfaces," Jun says. Bag it up before throwing it away, and avoid vacuums unless they have a HEPA filter. Jun offers more steps to protect yourself from these toxins. Read the article
Read more from AirUCI alum Scott Epstein,air quality assessment manager at AQMD
