Dr. Yue Zhang, Assistant Professor
Department of Atmospheric Sciences
Texas A&M University

Integrating Field Studies and Laboratory Experiments to Investigate the Chemical Processes and Climate Impacts of Atmospheric Pollutants  

Abstract:  Atmospheric pollutants, from traditional organic aerosols to emerging contaminants such as nanoplastics and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), play critical roles in air quality, climate forcing, and environmental health. Yet their sources, atmospheric transformations, and impacts remain poorly constrained. This talk presents an integrated approach combining controlled laboratory experiments with innovative field measurements to reveal how these pollutants form, evolve, and influence the atmosphere. Using a mobile laboratory equipped with real-time high-resolution mass spectrometry alongside environmental chamber studies, we directly quantify pollutant sources and track their chemical evolution in complex environments. By bridging molecular-level chemistry with real-world atmospheric observations, this work provides new insights into the lifecycle of emerging pollutants and their implications for air quality, climate, and human exposure.

Bio: Dr. Yue Zhang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at Texas A&M University. His research integrates laboratory experiments and field studies to investigate the processes and climate impacts of atmospheric pollutants, including emerging contaminants such as nanoplastics and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). He obtained Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Engineering from Harvard University, and became the U.S. NSF Postdoctoral Fellow, jointly working with the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Aerodyne Research, and MIT. He joined Texas A&M as an assistant professor in 2021. To date, he has published nearly 60+ peer-reviewed papers, and been recognized with several awards including the Best Paper of the Year in Environmental Science & Technology Letters, the Montague Teaching of Excellence Award at Texas A&M University, the NSF CAREER Award. He also served as committee chair and working group chair roles within the American Association for Aerosol Research.