Our regular EWC seminar on this Friday, Oct 13, will feature Dr. Sivaraman Balachandran from the University of Cincinnati. He will discuss “Spatiotemporal Variability of PM2.5 in Cincinnati, OH: From Measurements to Modeling to Exposure.” An abstract and bio are included below. Please join us in Mann 304 from 12:50-1:40pm.

Abstract: Several studies are currently being conducted to better understand spatial and temporal variation of PM2.5 in the Cincinnati metro area. First, we are conducting temporal interpolation modeling of Cincinnati’s central air quality monitoring data for use in epidemiologic studies. Results will be utilized by Cincinnati Children’s Health Medical Center in time-series epidemiologic studies. Second, we have been looking at better understanding the importance of local-scale emissions versus meteorological variability in impacting spatial differences in pollution concentrations. We are analyzing several years (2008 – 2015) of hourly PM2.5 and meteorological data at seven continuous PM2.5 monitors, over a four-county region, operated by the Southwest Ohio Air Quality Agency (SWOAQA). Our goal is to understand spatial variability at an hourly-scales, with a particular focus on transportation patterns, which can aid in better estimating exposure in activity-based models. Finally, we have been conducting several field campaigns at the SWOAQA Near-Roadway (NR) Monitoring Site. The goal of this research work has been to characterize the composition of fine particulate matter air pollution (PM2.5), noise and PM2.5 metals content resulting from near-road transportation courses under varying traffic states at fine temporal scales. The results will provide insight into better understanding of near real-time composition of several important constituents of fine particulate matter, namely, metals and black carbon.

Bio: Dr. Sivaraman Balachandran is an Assistant Professor of Environmental Engineering at the University of Cincinnati. His area of research is air pollution, specifically source apportionment of fine particulate matter. Dr. Balachandran is currently researching spatiotemporal trends in air pollution in Cincinnati, OH, USA using regulatory monitor data, portable real-time monitors and modeling techniques. In addition, Dr. Balachandran is working on using data analytics to better understand human activity patterns and how they can inform estimates of exposure to air pollution. Dr. Balachandran teaching interests include both undergraduate classes in Environmental Engineering and specialized courses related to air pollution. Dr. Balachandran received his PhD in Environmental Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2013. Prior to his PhD, he worked for the Washington State Department of Transportation and the Seattle Department of Transportation focusing on highway safety and neighborhood traffic calming. Dr. Balachandran also has co-authored 14 peer reviewed publications, 8 conference presentations and one book chapter. Dr. Balachandran is currently working with two PhD students as well as an undergraduate research assistant. He has also worked with two Master’s students and one undergraduate student through the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) program at UC in the summer of 2015.