Colorado State University Atmospheric Chemist Named Fellow of American Association for Aerosol Research, Meteorological Society

Note to Reporters: A photo of Sonia Kreidenweis is available with the news release at http://www.news.colostate.edu/.

Sonia Kreidenweis, a professor in Colorado State University’s internationally recognized Department of Atmospheric Science, has been named a Fellow of the American Association for Aerosol Research and a Fellow of the American Meteorological Society, prestigious honors that are awarded to a select group of scientists from across the country.

Kreidenweis was one of only two scientists to be named an American Association for Aerosol Research Fellow in 2010. The AAAR is an international organization serving aerosol scientists working in a number of areas including pharmaceuticals, health effects, basic aerosol physical and chemical sciences, instrumentation development and atmospheric aerosol research. The title honors significant contributions by individuals to the discipline of aerosol science and technology and service to the American Association for Aerosol Research. Kreidenweis’ contributions to the organization include terms on the board as secretary and, more recently, as president.

The American Meteorological Society promotes development and dissemination of information and education on the atmospheric and related oceanic and hydrologic sciences and the advancement of their professional applications. Only two-tenths of 1 percent of the AMS membership is approved as Fellows each year.

Kreidenweis joined CSU’s Atmospheric Science department in 1991 to initiate and direct the Atmospheric Chemistry program. At Colorado State, she studies the nature and behavior of particulate matter in the atmosphere and its effects on climate and visibility. Her research program includes laboratory and field measurements characterizing physical properties of aerosols, with a particular emphasis in understanding their role in the formation of warm and cold clouds.

Kreidenweis was one of 15 researchers nationally who served on the National Research Council’s committee on the Significance of International Transport of Air Pollutants. The committee issued a report in September 2009 reviewing scientific evidence that plumes of air pollutants can have a negative impact on air quality far from their original sources.

Prior to joining Colorado State, Kreidenweis was assistant professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at San Jose University where she received Meritorious Performance and Professional Promise awards for two consecutive years for her accomplishments in research and teaching. She earned her bachelor’s in chemical engineering from Manhattan College in 1983 and her master’s and doctorate in chemical engineering from the California Institute of Technology.

Her numerous awards include the Colorado State University Engineering Dean’s Council Award, CSU College of Engineering George T. Abell Outstanding Teaching and Service Faculty Award, USRA/ Goddard Space Flight Center Visiting Fellow Award, and Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Award.

Founded in 1982, the AAAR is a nonprofit professional organization for scientists and engineers who wish to promote and communicate technical advances in the field of aerosol research. The organization has grown to more than 800 academic, government and industry professionals from around the world. For more information about the AAAR, go to http://www.aaar.org/

Founded in 1919, The American Meteorological Society has a membership of more than 14,000 professionals, professors, students and weather enthusiasts. AMS publishes nine atmospheric and related oceanic and hydrologic journals, sponsors more than 12 conferences annually, and offers numerous programs and services. For more information about the AMS, go to http://www.ametsoc.org

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