Alumni
Past Members of the Kroll Group
Victoria Barber
Postdoctoral Researcher (2019-2023)
Education: B.S., Swarthmore College, 2013, Chemistry and Educational Studies; Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania 2019, Physical Chemistry
Research Topic: Chemistry of functionalized organic intermediates, automated mechanism generation, indoor air chemistry
Current Position: Assistant Professor, UCLA Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Kelsey Boulanger
Masters Student (2012-2015)
Education: B.S., UC-Berkeley 2012, Civil and Environmental Engineering; S.M., MIT 2015, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Thesis Title: Decadal trends in atmospheric organic aerosol
Eleanor Browne
Postdoctoral Researcher (2012-2015)
Education: B.S., The College of William and Mary 2006, Chemistry; Ph.D., UC-Berkeley 2012, Chemistry
Research Topic: Black carbon aging, aerosol measurement and characterization
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry, CU-Boulder
Anthony Carrasquillo
PhD Student (2009-2015)
Education: A.B., Bowdoin College 2007, Chemistry and Environmental Science; Ph.D., MIT 2015, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Thesis Title: Formation and evolution of atmospheric organic matter from radical intermediates
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Chemistry Department, Williams College
Ben Crawford
Postdoctoral Researcher (2017-2019)
Education: B.S., U. Indiana 2003, Geography; Ph.D., University of British Columbia 2014, Geography
Research Topic: Low-cost sensors to measure volcanic air pollution
Current Position: Assistant Professor, University of Colorado - Denver
Eben Cross
Postdoc/Research Scientist (2010-2015)
Education: B.A., Connecticut College 2003, Environmental Chemistry; Ph.D., Boston College 2008, Physical Chemistry
Research Topic: Measurement of S/IVOVCs, emission chracterization
Current Position: CSO and co-founder, Quant-AQ, Inc.
Kelly Daumit
PhD Student (2009-2015)
Education: B.S., Seattle University 2009, Chemistry; Ph.D., MIT 2015, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Thesis Title: The role of aqueous-phase oxidation in the formation of highly-oxidized organic aerosol
Current Position: Chemistry teacher
Lesly Franco
PhD Student (2020-2025)
Education: B.S., UCLA 2015, Environmental Science; M.S., University of Washington 2018, Environmental and Forest Sciences; Ph.D., MIT 2025, Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences
Thesis Title: Comprehensive Laboratory Studies of Organic Oxidation Across a Range of Photochemical Ages and Peroxy Radical Conditions
Jonathan Franklin
PhD Student (2012-2018)
Education: B.A., Connecticut College 2009, Chemistry; Ph.D., MIT 2018, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Thesis Title: Measurement and characterization of low volatility organic compounds in the atmosphere
Current Position: Associate, Analysis Group
Amanda Gao
PhD Student (2018-2024)
Education: B.S., Caltech 2018, Chemical Engineering; Ph.D., MIT 2024, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Thesis Title: Development and Characterization of a Novel, Low-Cost Method for Measurement of Volatile Organic Compounds
Current Position: Postdoc, US Environmental Protection Agency
Mark Goldman
PhD Student (2013-2019) , co-advised by Bill Green.
Education: B.S., UT-Austin 2013, Chemical Engineering; Ph.D., MIT 2019, Chemical Engineering
Thesis Title: Illuminating reaction pathways in low-temperature combustion, pyrolysis and atmospheric oxidation
Current Position: Renewable Energy Program Standards Specialist, U.S. Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement
Matthew Goss
PhD Student (2019-2024)
Education: B.A., Williams College 2017, Chemistry; Ph.D., MIT 2024, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Thesis Title: Laboratory studies of atmospheric photochemistry in indoor and outdoor environments
Current Position: Postdoc, Harvard University
David Hagan
PhD Student (2013-2019)
Education: B.A., Hendrix College 2011, Chemical Physics; B.S., Washington University 2013, Chemical Engineering;; Ph.D., MIT 2019, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Thesis Title: Measuring Ambient Air Quality Using Low-Cost Sensors
Current Position: CEO and co-founder, QuantAQ
Erik Helstrom
PhD Student (2019-2025)
Education: B.A., Columbia University 2018, Physics; Ph.D., MIT 2025, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Thesis Title: New Measurement Approaches to the Study of Secondary Organic Aerosol
Current Position: Postdoc, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1
Amy Hrdina
Postdoctoral Researcher (2019-2022)
Education: B.S., Carleton University 2008, Chemistry; M.Sc., Carleton Univesity 2010, Analytical Chemistry; Ph.D., University of Toronto 2019, Environmental Chemistry
Research Topic: Aging and toxicity of particulate PAHs
Current Position: Associate/Environmental Chemist, Gradient
James Hunter
PhD Student (2009-2015)
Education: B.S., UC-Berkeley 2009, Chemistry; Ph.D., MIT 2015, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Thesis Title: Oxidation of atmospheric organic carbon
Current Position: Lecturer, Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering, MIT
Gabriel Isaacman-VanWertz
Postdoctoral Researcher (2015-2017)
Education: B.A., Wesleyan College 2007, Chemistry and Earth & Environmental Science; Ph.D., UC-Berkeley 2014, Environmental Science, Policy, and Management
Research Topic: Comprehensive characterization of organic carbon during oxidative aging
Current Position: Associate Professor, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech
Jia Jiang
Postdoctoral Researcher (2024-2026)
Education: B.S., Zhejiang University 2011, Atmospheric Science; M.E., Zhejiang Univesity 2014, Geological Engineering; Ph.D., University of California, Riverside 2021, Chemical and Environmental Engineering
Research Topic: Chemical mechanism development and SOA parameterization
Current Position: Air Quality Scientist, PSE Healthy Energy
Hannah S. Kenagy
Postdoctoral Researcher (2022-2024)
Education: B.S., University of Chicago 2016, Chemistry; Ph.D., UC Berkeley 2021, Chemistry
Research Topic: Modeling peroxy radical conditions in chamber experiments
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Dept. of Chemistry, University of Minnesota
Sean Kessler
PhD Student (2008-2013)
Education: B.S., Lehigh 2009, Chemical Engineering; Ph.D., MIT 2013, Chemical Engineering
Thesis Title: The aging of organic aerosol in the atmosphere: chemical transformations by heterogeneous oxidation
Current Position: Lecturer in Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University and Bunker Hill Community College
Abigail Koss
Postdoctoral Researcher (2017-2019)
Education: A.B., MIT 2012, Chemistry; Ph.D., CU-Boulder 2017, Analytical Chemistry
Research Topic: Comprehensive chamber studies of VOC oxidation
Current Position: Applications scientist, Tofwerk AG
Chris Lim
PhD Student (2013-2019)
Education: B.S., UC-Berkeley 2009, Chemistry; Ph.D., MIT 2019 Civil and Environmental Engineering
Thesis Title: Laboratory studies of the multiday oxidative aging of atmospheric organic aerosol
Current Position: Air Quality Specialist, South coast Air Quality Management District
Josh Moss
PhD Student (2015-2021)
Education: B.S., UC-Berkeley 2014, Chemical Engineering
Thesis Title: Laboratory and Mechanistic Studies of Volatile Organic Carbon Oxidation Systems in the Atmosphere
Current Position: Head of Business Operations, Parallel Bio
Kevin Nihill
Postdoctoral Researcher (2018-2021)
Education: B.S., Boston College 2011, Chemistry; Ph.D., University of Chicago 2017, Physical Chemistry
Research Topic: NOx dependence of product distributions, "total carbon" measurements
Current Position: Chemistry teacher, University of Chicago Laboratory High School
Rachel O'Brien
Postdoctoral Researcher (2015-2017)
Education: B.A., Grinnell College 2004, Chemistry; Ph.D., UC-Berkeley 2012, Chemistry
Research Topic: Characterization of atmospheric organics in fine particulate matter and rainwater
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan
James Rowe
Masters Student (2017-2019)
Education: B.S., Georgia Tech 2017, Chemical Engineering; M.S., MIT 2019, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Thesis Title: Laboratory study of the atmospheric heterogeneous oxidation of benzo[a]pyrene
Current Position: Analyst, Institute for Nuclear Power Operations
Will Sharpe
Master of Engineering, 2022-2023
Education: B.S., UMD 2019, Aerospace Engineering
Thesis Title: Low-cost and machine-learning techniques for aerosol measurement and characterization
Current Position: Software Developer, Space Science and Engineering Center, University of Wisconsin
Nadia Tahsini
PhD Student (2020-2025)
Education: B.S., Stanford University 2020, Chemical Engineering; Ph.D., MIT 2025, Chemical Engineering
Thesis Title: Oxidation Chemistry and Secondary Organic Aerosol Formation in Indoor and Outdoor Atmospheres
Current Position: Postdoc, Yale University
Undergraduate Researchers
Isabel Albores |
MSRP (2022) | Development of a new oxidation flow reactor |
Alice Zehner |
UROP (2022) | Long-timescale oxidation of OVOCs |
Argen Smith |
UROP (2022) | Studies of Organosulfur oxidation |
Joy Domingo-Kameenui |
UROP (2021-2022) | Studies of the heterogeneous oxidation of PAHs |
Andrea Naranjo-Soledad |
MSRP (2018) | Characterization of low-cost PM sensors |
Natasha Ramos Padilla |
MSRP (2017) | Analysis of organic species in rainwater |
Stephen Duncan |
UROP (2017) | Measurement of Total Organic Carbon via Catalyzed Oxidation |
Mary Cunha |
UROP (2016-2017) | Roadside Measurements of Air Pollutant Emissions from Vehicles in an Urban Environment |
Rebecca Sugrue |
UROP (2014-2017) | Investigating the role of increased temperature on the oxidation of organic compounds |
Luke Verdi |
UROP (2014) | Optical Changes to Aerosol with Chemical Aging |
Sidhant Pai |
UROP (2013) | Evolution of Volcanic Smog |
Hao-Yu Derek Chang |
UROP (2012-2014) | IVOC analysis; Aerosol Concentration Trends |
Zara L'Herueux |
UROP (2012-2013) | Volcanic Emissions; Building and evaluating low-cost PM sensors |
Jaclyn Wilson |
UROP (2012) | Use of Historical Visibility Data to Understand Past Air Quality |
Choolwe Mandona |
MSRP (2012) | Collection of water-soluble organic species in the aqueous phase |
Phoebe Whitwell |
UROP (2012) | Development of a Low Cost Sensor for Measuring Atmospheric Particulate Matter |
Abigail Koss |
UROP (2012) | Atmospheric fate of tetraethyl lead: incorporation in secondary organic aerosol |
Anna Kelly |
UROP (2012) | Characterization of Aerosol Chemical Speciation Monitor Response to Volcanic Smog |
Anika Gupta |
UROP (2011) | Kinetic Analysis of Secondary Organic Aerosols through Modeling and Construction of a Flow Reactor |
Michael Desanker |
UROP (2010-2011) | Total Gas-Phase Organic Emissions |
Melissa Pinard |
MSRP (2010) | Development of chamber techniques to simulate the oxidation of atmospheric organic compounds |
Mary Zhang |
UROP (2010-2011) | Elemental Analysis of Secondary Organic Aerosol Component Ratios |
Ashley Raynal |
UROP (2009-2010) | Chemical Composition of Fine Particles Produced From Wood and Biomass Burning |
Katherine Eve |
UROP (2009) | Using a flow tube reactor to observe the formation and evolution of atmospheric aerosols |
Past group photos
Members of the Kroll Group (June 2024)
Top row: Lesly Franco (broken regulator), Erik Helstrom (power supply), Seamus Frey (Orbitrap inlet), Isabel Albores (label maker), Matthew Goss (giant wrench), Jesse Kroll (mallets)
Bottom row: Lexy LeMar (UV box) , Hannah Kenagy (neon gloves), Nadia Tahsini ("Sonny" the sonicator), Jia Jiang (keyboard)
Members of the Kroll Group (September 2023)
front row: Lesly Franco (huge wrench), Nadia Tahsini (RH meter), Amanda Gao (small wrench), Lexy LeMar (mallet)
back rowErik Helstrom (3-neck flask), Matthew Goss (sonicator), Hannah Kenagy (labelmaker), Jesse Kroll (activated carbon), Seamus Frey (hammer)
Members of the Kroll Group (Summer 2023)
from left: Lesly Franco, Jesse Kroll, Matthew Goss, Tori Barber, Erik Helstrom, Nadia Tahsini, Lexy LeMar, and Amanda Gao Not shown: Hannah Kenagy (on vacation)
Members of the Kroll Group (Spring 2022)
from left: Lexy LeMar, Matthew Goss, Amy Hrdina, Hannah Kenagy, Tori Barber,
David Gonzalez (special guest), Nadia Tahsini, Erik Helstrom, Amanda Gao, Lesly Franco
Not shown: Jesse Kroll (out sick)
Members of the Kroll Group (2020)
Top row: Erik Helstrom, Jesse Kroll, Amy Hrdina, Matthew Goss.
Middle row: Josh Moss, Tori Barber, Qing Ye, Lesly Franco
Bottom row: Kevin Nihill, Drew Meyers, Amanda Gao
Members of the Kroll Group (2019)
Front row: Mark Goldman (wrenches and pipe), Amanda Gao (copper tubing), Kevin Nihill (big wrench), Jesse Kroll (fan).
Back row: Qing Ye (spray bottle), David Hagan (dust-removing spray), Josh Moss (big saw), James Rowe (pipe wrench).
Members of the Kroll Group (2016)
Mark Goldman, Jon Franklin, Gabriel Isaacman-VanWertz, Jesse Kroll, Rachel O'Brien, David Hagan, Chris Lim, Rebecca Sugrue, Josh Moss
Members of the Kroll Group (October 2014)
Front row: Kelly Daumit, Kelsey Boulanger, Jesse Kroll, James Hunter.
Back row: Chris Lim, Anthony Carrasquillo, Jon Franklin, David Hagan, Ellie Browne, Eben Cross.
Members of the Kroll Group (October 2012)
Jesse Kroll (mallet), James Hunter (cordless drill), Sean Kessler (umbrella), Kelly Daumit (squirt bottle), Jon Franklin (???), Eben Cross (respirator), Anthony Carrasquillo (pipet), Kelsey Boulanger (wrench), Ellie Browne (canned air).
Members of the Kroll Group (October 2011)
Eben Cross (filter), Anthony Carrasquillo (flashlight), Sean Kessler (solvent bottle), Kelly Daumit (inverter), James Hunter (wrench), Jesse Kroll (cordless drill).