B.S., State University of New York-Albany (1981) M.S., Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1982) Ph.D., University of California-Berkeley (1987) Postdoctoral Research Associate, Colorado State University (1988); University of California-Berkeley (1989)

Analytical Chemistry/Physical Chemistry

Heterogeneous atmospheric chemistry: It has become increasingly clear that all kinds of particles - including ice, sea salt and mineral dust - are present in the Earth's atmosphere and that the surfaces of these particles play a role in the chemistry of the atmosphere. The ozone hole is one example of how heterogeneous chemistry involving chlorine-reservoir species on ice particles can decrease ozone levels in the stratosphere. In the troposphere, the region closest to the Earth's surface, there are many more particles and the heterogeneous chemistry of these particles with trace gases such as nitrogen oxides, ozone and volatile organics is not well understood. In the Grassian research group, we are using a combination of surface spectroscopy, microscopy and particle analysis to gain a molecular level understanding of these important surface reactions. Reaction rate data measured in our laboratory on mineral dust aerosol, which contains oxide, carbonate and clay particles, are currently being incorporated into global chemistry models. We are also trying to understand how the particles can impact other global processes besides the chemical balance of the atmosphere. These processes include climate, biogeochemical cycles and human health. For example, in collaboration with Paul Kleiber and Mark Young we are investigating the optical properties of atmospheric aerosol. In another collaboration with Michelle Scherer we are investigating the detailed chemistry of iron cycling and iron dissolution for iron-containing particles. The Grassian research group is also collaborating with chemists and other scientists in the Center of Aerosol Impacts on Chemistry and Climate (CAICE). CAICE utilizes a unique ocean in a lab approach to better understand the chemistry of sea spray aerosol. The Center was recently awarded funding through a Phase II Chemical Centers of Innovation Award from the Chemistry Division of the National Science Foundation. Applications and Implications of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in Environmental Processes: Nanoscience and nanotechnology have potential use in environmental applications. In collaboration with Gary Aurand, we are investigating how nanomaterials can be used in biomass conversion. Another important aspect of our work is in the implications of nanoscience and nanotechnology and the environmental consequences of nanomaterials. Our studies are focused on the behavior of nanomaterials in environmentally and biologically relevant media. We take an integrated comprehensive approach to understanding the molecular level details of the chemistry to better understand environmental and health impacts. Additionally, we are collaborating with colleagues in Public Health, Pharmacy and Medicine to better understand the potential health effects of manufactured nanomaterials should they become suspended in air.

J.M. Alexander, V.H. Grassian, M.A. Young, P.D. Kleiber, "Optical Properties of Selected Components of Mineral Dust Aerosol Processed with Organic Acids and Humic Material," Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 2015, In press. DOI: 10.1002/2014JD022782. J.H. Park, I.A. Mudunkotuwa, L.W.D. Mines, T.R. Anthony, V.H. Grassian, T.M. Peters, "A Granular Bed for Use in a Nanoparticle Respiratory Deposition Sampler," Aerosol Science and Technology, 2015, 49, 179-187. DOI: 10.1080/02786826.2015.1013521. V.H. Grassian, "Environmenal Science: Nano - the first year a successful launch," Environmental Science: Nano, 2015, 2, 9-10. DOI: 10.1039/C4EN90025A. (An Editorial) O. Laskina, H.S. Morris, J.R. Grandquist, Z. Qin, E.A. Stone, A.V. Tivanski, V.H. Grassian, "Size matters in water uptake and hygroscopic growth of atmospherically relevant multi-component aerosol particles," Journal of Physical Chemistry A, 2015, In press. DOI: 10.1021/jp510268p. (ACS Editors' Choice) C.E. Nanayakkara, J.K. Dillon, V.H. Grassian, "Surface Adsorption and Photochemistry of Gas-Phase Formic Acid on TiO2 Nanoparticles: The Role of Adsorbed Water in the Surface Coordination Mode. Adsorption Kinetics, and Rate of Photoproduct Formation," Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 2014, 118, 25487-25495. DOI: 10.1021/jp507551y. C.E. Nanayakkara, W.A. Larish, V.H. Grassian, "Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticle Surface Reactivity with Atmospheric Gases, CO2, SO2, and NO2: Roles of Surface Hydroxyl Groups and Adsorbed Water in the Formation and Stability of Adsrobed Products," Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 2014, 118, 23011-23021. DOI: 10.1021/jp504402z. A. Gankanda and V.H. Grassian, "Nitrate Photochemistry on Laboratory Proxies of Mineral Dust Aerosol: Wavelength Dependence and Action Spectra," Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 2014, 118, 29117–29125. DOI: 10.1021/jp504399a. I.A. Mudunkotuwa and V.H. Grassian, "Histidine Adsorption on TiO2 Nanoparticles: An Integrated Spectroscopic, Thermodynamic, and Molecular-Based Approach toward Understanding Nano–Bio Interactions," Langmuir, 2014, 30, 8751–8760. DOI: 10.1021/la500722n. A.P. Ault, T.L. Guasco, J. Baltrusaitis, O.S. Ryder, J.V. Trueblood, D.B. Collins, M.J. Ruppel, L.A. Cuadra-Rodriguez, K.A. Prather, and V.H. Grassian, "Heterogeneous Reactivity of Nitric Acid with Nascent Sea Spray Aerosol: Large Differences Observed between and within Individual Particles," Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, 2014, 5, 2493–2500. DOI: 10.1021/jz5008802. D.B. Collins, D.F. Zhao, M.J. Ruppel, O. Laskina, J.R. Grandquist, R.L. Modini, M.D. Stokes, L.M. Russell, T.H. Bertram, V.H. Grassian, G.B. Deane, and K.A. Prather, "Direct aerosol chemical composition measurements to evaluate the physicochemical differences between controlled sea spray aerosol generation schemes," Atmospheric Measurement Techniques, 2014, 7, 3667-3683.DOI: 10.5194/amt-7-3667-2014. O. Laskina, M.A. Young, P.D. Kleiber, and V.H. Grassian, "Infrared Optical Constants of Organic Aerosols: Organic Acids and Model Humic-Like Substances (HULIS)," Aerosol Science and Technology, 2014, 48, 630-637. DOI: 10.1080/02786826.2014.904499. J.H. Park, I.A. Mudunkotuwa, J.S. Kim, A. Stanam, P.S. Thorne, V.H. Grassian, and T.M. Peters. "Physicochemical Characterization of Simulated Welding Fumes from a Spark Discharge System," Aerosol Science and Technology, 2014, 48, 768-776. DOI: 10.1080/02786826.2014.925536. A. Adamcakova-Dodd, L.V. Stebounova, J.S. Kim, S.U. Vorrink, A.P. Ault, P.T. O’Shaughnessy, V.H. Grassian, P.S. Thorne, "Toxicity assessment of zinc oxide nanoparticles using sub-acute and sub-chronic murine inhalation models," Particle and Fibre Toxicology, 2014, 11, 15. DOI:10.1186/1743-8977-11-15. A.R. Baker, O. Laskina, and V.H. Grassian, "Processing and Ageing in the Atmosphere," A Book Chapter in Mineral Dust: A Key Player in the Earth System, Eds: P. Knippertz and J.-B.W. Stuut, 2014, 75-92. DOI: 10.1007/978-94-017-8978-3_4. J. Borcherding, J. Baltrusaitis, H. Chen, L. Stebounova, C.-M. Wu, G. Rubasinghege, I.A. Mudunkotuwa, J.C. Caraballo, J. Zabner, V.H. Grassian, and A.P. Comellas, "Iron oxide nanoparticles induce Pseudomonas aeruginosa growth, induce biofilm formation, and inhibit antimicrobial peptide function," Environmental Science: Nano, 2014, 1, 123-132. DOI: 10.1039/C3EN00029J. Vicki H. Grassian, "Environmental Science: Nano – a journal is born. A new journal with a large scope that focuses on small materials," Environmental Science: Nano, 2014, 1, 8-10. DOI: 10.1039/C3EN90001K. I.A. Mudunkotuwa, A. Al Minshid, and V.H. Grassian, "ATR-FTIR spectroscopy as a tool to probe surface adsorption on nanoparticles at the liquid–solid interface in environmentally and biologically relevant media," Analyst, 2014, 139, 870-881. DOI: 10.1039/C3AN01684F.