UAAT International Young Visiting Scholar Program
Chun-Ying Chao
Postdoctoral Researcher
The University of Texas at Austin
Email: chun-ying.chao@utexas.edu
Webpage:https://sites.utexas.edu/hr-group/group-members/ https://sites.utexas.edu/misztallab/
Host Scholar: Liang-Yi Lin, Associate Professor
Hosting Department/Institution: Institute of Environmental Engineering, NYCU
Biography:
Dr. Chao is a postdoctoral researcher working with Professors Lea Hildebrandt Ruiz and Pawel Misztal. His study focuses on the aerosol-gas interactions in atmosphere through field measurements and modeling. He earned his Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Rice University, where he worked under the supervision of Dr. Robert Griffin. In his doctoral research, he used a state-of-the-art instrument – an aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS) – and developed zero dimensional model to evaluate the secondary organic aerosol formation rate during the TRacking Aerosol Convection Interactions ExpeRiment (TRACER).
Prior to his doctoral studies, he earned his master’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis, where he focused on calibrating air quality data from low-cost particulate matter (PM) sensors and regulatory monitoring stations. He received his bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan.
Lecture [1]:
Date ＆ Time: 1:20 pm to 3:10 pm on December 3rd, 2025
Venue: Room 301, BMES building, National Tsing Hua University
Title: Atmospheric chemistry and air quality impacts associated with wildfire, urban, and coastal environments
Abstract:
Atmospheric chemistry in coastal urban environments is complex due to diverse emissions (e.g., from cities, oceans, and ships) and specific meteorological phenomena such as sea-land breeze circulation. The coastal urban environments could cause the impact of wildfire on air quality more complex. These factors affect air quality and lead to enhanced levels of secondary organic aerosol (SOA). SOA is a significant fraction of aerosol globally, contributing to climate forcing and posing health concerns. SOA is formed when volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from both anthropogenic and biogenic sources are oxidized in atmosphere and the products partition to the particle phase.
This study aims to better understand the dynamics of SOA formation in two of largest costal city in the U.S.: Houston and Los Angles. Specifically, in Houston we (1) explore the relationship between sea breeze and air quality through long-term monitoring, (2) investigate the spatiotemporal chemical characteristics of aerosols and SOA formation rates. In Los Angles, we investigate the impact of 2025 wildland-urban interface (WUI) wildfire on outdoor and indoor aerosol loading and composition. These findings contribute to efforts to improve air quality in coastal urban areas in order to meet the new National Ambient Air Quality Standards in the United States.
Lecture [2]:
Date ＆ Time: 2:10 pm to 5:00 pm on December 10th, 2025
Venue: Room 47118, Environmental Engineering Building, National Cheng Kung University
Title: Atmospheric chemistry and air quality impacts associated with wildfire, urban, and coastal environments
Abstract:
Atmospheric chemistry in coastal urban environments is complex due to diverse emissions (e.g., from cities, oceans, and ships) and specific meteorological phenomena such as sea-land breeze circulation. The coastal urban environments could cause the impact of wildfire on air quality more complex. These factors affect air quality and lead to enhanced levels of secondary organic aerosol (SOA). SOA is a significant fraction of aerosol globally, contributing to climate forcing and posing health concerns. SOA is formed when volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from both anthropogenic and biogenic sources are oxidized in atmosphere and the products partition to the particle phase.
This study aims to better understand the dynamics of SOA formation in two of largest costal city in the U.S.: Houston and Los Angles. Specifically, in Houston we (1) explore the relationship between sea breeze and air quality through long-term monitoring, (2) investigate the spatiotemporal chemical characteristics of aerosols and SOA formation rates. In Los Angles, we investigate the impact of 2025 wildland-urban interface (WUI) wildfire on outdoor and indoor aerosol loading and composition. These findings contribute to efforts to improve air quality in coastal urban areas in order to meet the new National Ambient Air Quality Standards in the United States.
Lecture [3]:
Date ＆ Time: 9:50 am to 12:00 pm on December 12th, 2025
Venue: Room 101, Environmental Engineering Building, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
Title: Atmospheric chemistry and air quality impacts associated with wildfire, urban, and coastal environments
Abstract:
Atmospheric chemistry in coastal urban environments is complex due to diverse emissions (e.g., from cities, oceans, and ships) and specific meteorological phenomena such as sea-land breeze circulation. The coastal urban environments could cause the impact of wildfire on air quality more complex. These factors affect air quality and lead to enhanced levels of secondary organic aerosol (SOA). SOA is a significant fraction of aerosol globally, contributing to climate forcing and posing health concerns. SOA is formed when volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from both anthropogenic and biogenic sources are oxidized in atmosphere and the products partition to the particle phase.
This study aims to better understand the dynamics of SOA formation in two of largest costal city in the U.S.: Houston and Los Angles. Specifically, in Houston we (1) explore the relationship between sea breeze and air quality through long-term monitoring, (2) investigate the spatiotemporal chemical characteristics of aerosols and SOA formation rates. In Los Angles, we investigate the impact of 2025 wildland-urban interface (WUI) wildfire on outdoor and indoor aerosol loading and composition. These findings contribute to efforts to improve air quality in coastal urban areas in order to meet the new National Ambient Air Quality Standards in the United States.