Atmospheric aerosol can directly scatter and absorb the radiation from the sun and the Earth's surface. Whether the scattering and absorption of radiation by a particular aerosol type warms or cools the climate depends on the environmental conditions and the aerosol properties. These aerosol properties include, in part, its abundance in the atmosphere, the distribution of its size and shape, and chemical composition. 

Our group's research focuses on obtaining better constraints for these aerosol properties, thereby obtaining a more accurate estimate of their impacts on the Earth's system. In addition, our group's research also seeks to understand other ways aerosols can semi-directly adjust the radiative budget in the atmosphere, such as whether the aerosol layer is above, within, or below the clouds. See our publication page (click here) for selected papers in this area. 

Atmospheric aerosols can also interact with clouds, serving as cloud condensation and ice nucleation sites upon which liquid droplets or ice particles can form. Our group is interested in how these cloud interactions with dust and smoke aerosols affect cloud cover and precipitation distributions in both warm and cold environments. See our publication page (click here) for selected papers in this area. 

Agricultural systems represent one of the most significant anthropogenic sources of atmospheric dust aerosols globally, with farmlands contributing substantial quantities of particulate matter through various mechanisms including soil cultivation, harvesting operations, livestock activities, and the exposure of bare soil surfaces during fallow periods and crop transitions. Our research group is dedicated to advancing the scientific understanding of the complex multiphase processes governing agricultural dust dynamics, encompassing the fundamental mechanisms of dust emission under varying meteorological and land management conditions, the atmospheric transport pathways that determine dust distribution patterns across local to regional scales, (e.g., in California) and the diverse environmental, climatic, and socioeconomic impacts of these aerosols on air quality, human health, agricultural productivity, and climate. See our publication page (click here) for selected papers in this area. 

Mineral dust and smoke aerosols can absorb shortwave radiation, warm the nearby atmosphere, and change its dynamical and thermodynamic state. Our group strives to understand and better characterize the relationship between aerosols and meteorology, aiming to gain a more accurate picture of aerosol impacts on the Earth system. See our publication page for selected papers in this area. See our publication page (click here) for selected papers in this area. 

Aerosol particles, such as dust and smoke particles, affect human health in several ways. High concentrations of aerosols can also cause severe air quality conditions and traffic accidents. When inhaled, fine particles can result in lung irritations, respiratory illnesses (including asthma, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), and even Cardiovascular effects. Our group is interested in exploring the connections between aerosols, particularly dust and smoke particles, with human health. See our publication page (click here) for selected papers in this area. 

Aerosol particles, including mineral dust aerosols, can carry essential nutrients, including iron and phosphorus, across continents and oceans. Upon deposition, these nutrients can stimulate primary productivity in oceans and terrestrial ecosystems, influencing nutrient availability, ecosystem dynamics, and even carbon sequestration. Our group is broadly interested in topics related to aerosol-biogeochemistry interactions. See our publication page (click here) for selected papers in this area.