Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

Every year wildfires contribute several hundred million metric tons of reactive organic compounds into the atmosphere. Wildfires have been increasing in both frequency and severity, a trend which can be attributed to extreme weather conditions, forest management practices, climate change, and a rise in human population density near fire-prone areas. Wildfires are becoming more frequent and severe, leading to significant air quality issues and health risks. Smoke from wildfires can travel long distances and adversely affect both human health and the environment, resulting in increased healthcare costs, economic burdens, and environmental consequences. The long-term vision of my research program is to significantly reduce the adverse impacts of wildfires on both the economy and public health by advancing our capabilities in monitoring, modeling, and mitigating the effects of wildfire smoke. Over the next ten years, I seek to lead in the development and validation of innovative sampling and analytical methodologies, enhancing our understanding of wildfire smoke composition and its environmental influences, while informing the development of improved models for air quality monitoring networks, atmospheric chemistry, and toxicology studies. The objectives of the proposed research program are to 1) develop and validate new sampling and analysis approaches, 2) understand the relationships between source materials, environmental factors, and fire phases, and 3) evaluate the use of low-cost sensors and unmanned aerial vehicles for smoke analysis. The comprehensive approach outlined in this research program has the potential to revolutionize our ability to monitor, model, and mitigate the impact of wildfires on air quality and human health while improving the accuracy and resolution of current air quality monitoring systems. It showcases a path towards better management of the effects of wildfires, and aims to provide solutions by advancing our understanding of wildfire smoke composition, its source materials, environmental influences, and aging effects. Furthermore, the research innovatively integrates unmanned aerial vehicles to enhance the spatial and temporal resolution of smoke sampling.