(4fu) Advancing Urban and Indoor Air Quality: Chemical Engineering Solutions to Environmental Challenges

Chemical engineering has vastly improved our everyday lives but also poses significant environmental and health challenges, particularly from emissions in urban areas. My research is dedicated to tackling these issues, focusing on urban and indoor air pollution. I use advanced chemical engineering tools and methods to make meaningful progress in this field.

In urban areas, I use chemical transport models that simulates the emission, transformation, removal, and reaction of pollutants. This approach helps me fine-scale information on urban air pollution and enables a deep understanding of how pollutants behave in densely populated areas. Additionally, I conduct data collection using low-cost sensors across cities. This work has produced local pollution data that offer real-time insights into urban air quality, significantly improving our ability to manage local environments.

I have also expanded my research to study indoor air quality, exploring effective, low-cost air purification methods. I have tested DIY air cleaners made from simple materials like MERV-13 filters, cardboard, and tape. These cleaners were distributed to various institutions including schools throughout Connecticut and have been thoroughly evaluated for effectiveness. This research has proven their usefulness in reducing indoor air pollution and also identified the challenges to their broader use.

Through these efforts, I am committed to applying chemical engineering principles to positively impact communities. My research not only adds to open-source datasets but also improves public knowledge by providing reliable data and actionable recommendations. This work not only pushes the academic field forward but also directly improves community well-being by enhancing air quality.

Teaching Interests

As a chemical engineer focused on solving environmental challenges, my teaching philosophy is closely tied to my research. I am dedicated to educating future engineers about the significant role they play in public health and environmental sustainability. My courses provide a solid foundation in chemical engineering while emphasizing the importance of innovation and practical application in managing environmental issues.

Introduction to Chemical Engineering: This introductory course lays out the fundamental principles of chemical engineering, setting the stage for how these principles can be applied to develop technologies and processes for environmental issues like air pollution control and sustainable manufacturing.

Special Topics in Chemical Engineering: This course focuses on chemical engineering's specific applications to environmental protection and pollution mitigation. It features case studies from my own research, allowing students to interact with real-world data and scenarios. We explore innovative pollution control technologies, such as the low-cost air cleaners from my studies, addressing both their technical aspects and practical challenges.

Chemical Process Safety and Sustainability: This course teaches the safety aspects of chemical processes and how to incorporate sustainability into chemical engineering practices. We discuss designing processes that are safer and more environmentally friendly, minimizing waste and reducing environmental impacts.

Chemical Engineering Analysis: This advanced course focuses on the analytical and modeling techniques in chemical engineering. Students get hands-on experience with the chemical transport models I use in my research, enabling them to simulate pollution scenarios and analyze environmental data effectively.

Through these courses, I aim to inspire and equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to address environmental challenges through chemical engineering. My teaching not only builds on theoretical knowledge but also stresses practical applications and the development of innovative solutions that can significantly impact the world.