I primarily study the chemical transformation and growth of aerosols in the atmosphere. These aerosols may be natural such as marine sea salt particles or dust, or they may derive from human made sources. I am particularly interested in organic aerosols, both those injected directly into the atmosphere (primarily aerosols), as well as those that form in situ from chemical reactions of gases (secondary aerosols).

I have had a varied research history, starting with graduate work in astronomy, followed by five years of active research in magnetospheric physics ... to more graduate work in space physics, and then atmospheric science. My Ph.D. and postdoctoral research included investigations of the interactions of nitrate and sulfate on coarse sea salt and dust aerosols. This work led to my current research interests in the formation and growth of secondary organic aerosols (SOA). At the Climate Change Research Center at the University of New Hampshire, I am actively involved in SOA modeling using a in regional three-dimensional models.

Photo: Although much of her work is done in the lab and at the computer, Dr. Carolyn Jordon reports that some research must be done in the field when you are researching climate change!