Photo of Katie Beem
Image Courtesy of Katie Beem
Katie Beem
I am currently a graduate student at Colorado State University where I get to do both field and lab work. During VOCALS I will be operating a cloud water collector on the C-130. In the past, I have collected rainwater, gas, and particle samples at dairies and in Rocky Mountain National Park. The collected samples are analyzed for a variety of chemical species. The chemical composition of the species can help to determine the source of pollution and can aid in identification of reactions that occur in the atmosphere.
I very interested in atmospheric chemistry and air pollution. It is important to know what is in the air so we know what we are breathing. In addition, air pollution can cause a decrease in visibility which makes things in the distance not as clear. Both of these issues impact outside activities like hiking – breathing is more difficult in a polluted region and views of beautiful scenery are not as clear.
In my free time I enjoy hiking and other outdoor activities, playing softball with fellow atmospheric scientists, and volunteering with young women in science and athletics.
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