News

Here's the latest news from AirUCI — our events, our people, our science.

 

2025

Wednesday, February 19, 2025

In a February 19th Newsweek article on the cause of the January firestorms in Los Angeles, AirUCI faculty Jim Randerson is quoted on the effects of climate change on the intensity of wildfires.  His 2022 study found that fires sparked by such things as faulty electrical systems are more often started under hotter and drier conditions. "Human-ignited fires grow more rapidly and release more energy as they're growing," Jim said in a statement with the study's release. "They're more ferocious."  Read the article

As climate change makes fire conditions more likely, scientists have also found that the fires that humans spark tend to be worse than ones ignited by natural causes such as lightning.

In a study published in the journal Nature Communications in 2022, scientists from University of California Irvine found that the fires we spark with things such as faulty electrical systems are more often started under hotter and drier condition

Friday, February 7, 2025

Poor air quality is often associated with traffic emissions or industrial pollution, but AirUCI faculty Alex Guenther led a recent study showing that plant emissions known as Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds (BVOCs) can impact air quality and climate warming, particularly during intense heat waves. The findings show how heat waves can turn usually low-emitting plants into substantial air pollution contributors. Co-authors on the paper are AirUCI grad students Hui Wang, Sanjeevi Nagaingam, and Allison Welch, all of the Guenther group.  "BVOCs are an important link between climate change, atmospheric chemistry, and the climate system,” said Hui.  Read the article

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

Monday, February 3, 2025

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

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 the 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

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