People

Gabriel Isaacman-VanWertz CV
Assistant Professor

e-mail: ivw (vt.edu)
Office: 419 Durham Hall
Phone: 540.231.0011


Chenyang Bi
Postdoctoral researcher
e-mail: chenyangbi (vt.edu)

Research Interests: Emission, fate, and transport of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in the indoor and outdoor environment. I’m particularly interested in the identification of toxic SVOCs emitted from indoor sources, developing novel methods and techniques to measure those SVOCs in both gas and particle phase, and estimating the consequent exposure to those emitted SVOCs for occupants. When I have some free time, I enjoy photography and playing the piano.


James Hurley
Ph.D. student
e-mail: jamesfh (vt.edu)

Research Interests: Instrument development, characterization of emissions from biota and fragrance mixtures. More generally, I am interested in organic and physical chemistry, spectroscopy and kinetics. Recreation-wise, I enjoy reading, archery, hiking/climbing in the mountains and trying to learn Mandarin.



Deb McGlynn
Ph.D. student
e-mail: mcglyndf (vt.edu)


Research Interests: The impacts of anthropogenic emissions on the formation of atmospheric compounds. I am particularly interested in the transport of atmospheric constituents from other environments and how this changes with varying meteorological and large scale climate perturbations. Previously, I have strictly focused on data analysis and modeling but am looking forward to getting involved in data capture. In my spare time, I enjoy running, hiking, or just about anything outdoors and traveling .



Sungwoo Kim
Ph.D. student
e-mail: sungwookim (vt.edu)


Research Interests: Analysis and interpretation of large and complex data. I’m particularly interested in the development of an efficient automated algorithm for the analysis of data produced by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectroscopy systems. This aims at potentially increasing the accuracy and speed of data processing for a larger computing capability. My background is in air quality modeling and analysis, and I am excited to apply my previous skills as well as learn new ones in the field of GC. In my free time, I enjoy travelling, reading, golf, and playing basketball.



Graham Frazier
Ph.D. student (co-advised with John Morris, Chemistry)
e-mail: grahamf4 (vt.edu)


Research Interests: Interaction of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) at surfaces in indoor and outdoor environments. I’m particularly interested in the ability of mineral dust and other solid material to act as a catalyst site for environmental reactions in the troposphere and relating field measurements to lab studies. Specifically, using field observations to tailor surface chemistry experiments to discover the underlying mechanisms. In my free time I enjoy reading and spending time outdoors.



Purushottam Kumar
Ph.D. student
e-mail: purushottamk (vt.edu)


Research Interests: Developing novel techniques and instruments for studying Atmospheric chemistry (both gas and particle phases) and doing the source apportionment analysis of atmospheric aerosols. I would like to study the atmosphere of other celestial bodies (e.g. Mars) sometime in future too. I am also interested in studying archaeology especially past climate and evolution of different species over time and the science & technology of the ancient civilizations. In my free time, I like to sit alone listening to old Hindi songs or go hiking .



Namrata Panji CV
Ph.D. student
e-mail: namratapanji (vt.edu)


I am interested in indoor and outdoor atmospheric chemistry, especially emission and the fate of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs). I am currently working on studying SVOCs in the environment and dabbling in instrumentation and measurement techniques. I also enjoy water and wastewater treatment designing. In my free time, I like to catch up on reading and cooking new cuisines..


Alumni

  • Asmita Deshmukh, MS 2019, Project: Concentration and Spatial Distribution of Squalene on Human Clothing
  • Xin Lu, MS, 2018, Project: Variability in the Composition of Soil Gas at the Site of Residential Heating Oil Spills in Virginia
  • Mary Tovillo, BS, 2018, Project: Development and validation of mobile gas samples
  • Allahna Grant, summer researcher, 2018, Project: Determining a method for automated, time-resolved particle sampling
  • Monica Gurung, summer research, 2018, Project: Measuring the spatial distribution of a subsurface heating oil spill