The Atmospheric Life Cycle of Pollen

May 12, 2022  7:00-8:30 pm
Kane Hall, Room 110

Abstract: Understanding atmospheric aerosol particles has long been a research focus in both atmospheric chemistry and climate, as they can influence climate, alter the formation of clouds and precipitation, and drive air quality.  However, the role of primary emission of biological particles remains relatively unconstrained.  In this lecture, I will describe how we can understand this often ignored source of particles to the atmosphere, with a focus on the release of pollen from vegetation. This includes new methods to quantify the emission to the atmosphere and including them in atmospheric models that allow interactions with clouds and precipitation.  I’ll discuss how the atmospheric processing of pollen is important for atmospheric chemistry, climate and health.

Bio: Allison Steiner is a Professor of atmospheric sciences in the Department of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering at the University of Michigan.  She received her B.S. in chemical engineering from Johns Hopkins University and her Ph.D. in atmospheric sciences from the Georgia Institute of Technology.  Her research uses and develops state-of-the-art models to explore the interactions of the biosphere and atmosphere, with the goal of understanding the natural versus human influence on climate and atmospheric chemistry.  Within the atmospheric sciences community, she has served as an editor at Journal of Geophysical Research-Atmospheres (2014-2018) and a member of the National Research Council’s committee on The Future of Atmospheric Chemistry Research (2016), is a current member of the National Academy of Sciences Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate and is the president-elect of the Atmospheric Sciences section of the American Geophysical Union.