Research Areas and Professional Development in Environmental Sciences

Judith C. Chow

This presentation draws on 45 years of the author’s experience in planning, executing, and reporting on environmental studies, with an emphasis on air quality management and improvement. Several former research projects are described, including: 1) the development of novel measurement methods for air sampling and analysis; 2) testing of emissions from different source types; 3) methods to attribute ambient exposures to sources; 4) multi-pollutant effects on health, visibility, ecosystems, and climate; and 5) evaluation of emission reduction measures. Professional development opportunities are identified, along with emerging environmental issues related to persistent pollutant, microplastics, and workplace exposures. Lessons learned from past successes and failures are discussed. An emphasis is placed on what can be done with limited resources related to technology, budgets, and intellectual capital. Environmental science is placed into a global perspective that supersedes national boundaries and requires collaboration among experts in many traditional disciplines.