About

I am a dynamic and resourceful senior environmental engineer and atmospheric chemist dedicated to advancing air quality science through precision measurement, innovative instrumentation, and collaborative leadership. My career bridges engineering and atmospheric research, with a proven track record in pollutant monitoring, source apportionment, analytic chemistry, and the design of novel aerosol measurement technologies.

As a project lead and co-PI, I manage complex, multi-institutional initiatives that bring together engineers, chemists, public health scientists, and community partners. I thrive in energetic, interdisciplinary teams where I mentor early-career researchers, coordinate technical execution, and ensure that ambitious projects are delivered on schedule with high scientific rigor.

My field research has centered on mobile high-resolution aerosol mass spectrometer deployment in urban industrial boundary areas, extensive work on cloud condensation nuclei and indoor/outdoor infiltration dynamics, and leadership of large-scale mobile laboratory campaigns across diverse environments. These efforts have produced decision-ready data that inform both science and policy, while also strengthening the professional development of students and collaborators under my mentorship.

Driven by curiosity, precision, and impact, I continue to develop innovative approaches to reduce human exposure to air pollution and address the challenges of climate change through actionable science and engineering.

Focus areas: aerosol & gas‑phase instrumentation (HR‑AMS, OPC, GC/MS, PTR‑MS), network design, field logistics, and reproducible analysis in Python/MATLAB.

See CV for roles and publications.

Selected Work

  • Mobile Measurement Platforms: Design, integration, and operation of RV‑style labs for high‑resolution mapping and campaign deployment.
  • Calibration & QA/QC: Standard operating procedures for traceable calibration, performance checks, and uncertainty budgets.
  • Data Engineering: On‑board acquisition, synchronized logging, and automated pipelines (Python, MATLAB, Git) to produce audit‑ready datasets.
  • Indoor/Outdoor Studies: Infiltration dynamics, filtration efficacy, and source‑resolved composition using mass spectrometry and particle optics.

Links

Environmental Health

  • Public‑Health Measurements: Translating field measurements into exposure‑relevant metrics and practical guidance for building operators and communities.
  • Cloud CCN Measurements: Characterization of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) activity, size‑resolved hygroscopicity, and implications for aerosol–cloud interactions.
  • Ambient Field Work — Nepal: Collaboration with ICIMOD on high‑altitude and valley‑floor ambient sampling campaigns, integrating mass spectrometry, particle optics, and meteorology.

Leadership & Delivery

Experienced in coordinating multi‑institution programs with academic, government, and non‑profit partners. I manage complex budgets and timelines, mentor early‑career researchers, and translate plans into working systems—prioritizing safety, documentation, and reproducibility.

Capabilities & Keywords

Project management PI/Co‑PI Team leadership Mentorship Field campaigns Mobile labs HR‑AMS OPC GC/MS PTR‑MS Calibration QA/QC Data pipelines Python MATLAB LabVIEW Git Linux/Windows Sensor networks Indoor air Stakeholder coordination Praxis & execution

Publications

Live feed from Google Scholar. If loading fails, see my Scholar profile.

Contact

Email: engineering@benwerden.com