Prof. Theodora NAH
Prof. Theodora Nah received her Hon. B.Sc. in Chemistry and Mathematics from the University of Toronto, and her Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley. Prior to joining CityUHK, she was a postdoctoral fellow at Georgia Institute of Technology.
Her research group investigates the atmospheric chemistry of organic compounds and microbes, focusing on how these processes shape air quality, climate, and human and planetary health. By combining laboratory experiments, field measurements, and modeling, her group pursues three main research foci. The first focuses on the sources, transformations, and fates of volatile, semi-volatile, and low-volatility organic compounds, including secondary organic aerosol formation from the atmospheric processing of wildfire-derived pollutants, oxidative transformations of indoor organic aerosols and trace gases emitted from human activities, and field measurements of PM2.5 composition and physicochemical properties to build predictive models of PM2.5 photochemical behavior. The second focus is the atmospheric chemistry of microbes and their metabolites in both outdoor and indoor environments, including the fates of airborne bacteria, microbial responses to sunlight, oxidants, and air pollutants, as well as multiphase interactions between microbes on surfaces and indoor chemicals and oxidants. The third focus examines the effects of harmful algal blooms on water and air quality, spanning from investigating the environmental drivers of toxin-producing algal growth to the aerosolization and atmospheric oxidation of algal toxins and their associated respiratory health effects. Her research is highly interdisciplinary, bridging environmental chemistry, climate science, and sustainability.
Scopus ID: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=41561755900
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8755-6153
Editorial Board
- Editor in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (Copernicus Publications, European Geosciences Union)
https://www.atmospheric-chemistry-and-physics.net/editorial_board.html - Editorial board member in Communications Earth & Environment (Spring Nature)
https://www.nature.com/commsenv/editors#Editorial-Board-Atmospheric-Chemistry-Aerosols
Research Interests
Research in the Nah Group focuses on the atmospheric chemistry of organic compounds and microbes, and its impacts on air quality, climate, and human health. In particular, we investigate the sources, transformations, and fates of volatile, semi-volatile, and low-volatility organics, the atmospheric chemistry of microbes and their metabolites, and the effects of harmful algal blooms on water and air quality.
The specific research activities include:
- Secondary organic aerosol formation from atmospheric processing of wildfire-derived organic pollutants
- Oxidative transformations of indoor organic aerosols and trace gases emitted from human activities
- Fates of airborne bacteria and microbial responses to atmospheric stressors
- Microbial processing of organic compounds in atmospheric aqueous droplets
- Multiphase interactions between microbes on indoor surfaces and indoor chemicals and oxidants, and associated health effects
- Environmental drivers of toxic algal growth and toxin production in water
- Atmospheric oxidation and transformations of airborne algal-derived aerosols, metabolites, toxins, and volatile organic compounds
- Respiratory health effects of organic aerosols and bioaerosols
Position(s) available
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PhD Student and Research Assistant Opportunities We are currently recruiting talented and motivated PhD students and Research Assistants interested in pursuing PhD study or gaining research experience in the interdisciplinary area of atmospheric chemistry and its impacts on air quality, climate, and health. Our research approach combines laboratory experiments, field measurements, and modeling. The candidates should hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in areas such as Chemistry, Atmospheric Science, Environmental Science/Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Microbiology, Earth Sciences, or related disciplines. Applicants with experience in environmental chemistry research, mass spectrometry, chromatography, aerosol measurements, microbiological techniques, and/or data analysis are especially welcome. Effective communication skills in English are necessary. Interested applicants should send your CV to Prof. Theodora Nah at <theodora.nah@cityu.edu.hk> to discuss further. |
City University of Hong Kong is an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to the principle of diversity. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates, especially applicants who will enhance the diversity of our staff. |
| Office: | YEUNG-B5425 |
|---|---|
| Phone: | +(852)-3442-5578 |
| Fax: | +(852)-3442-0688 |
| Email: | theodora.nah@cityu.edu.hk |
- Atmospheric Chemistry
- Organic Aerosols
- Bioaerosols
- Harmful Algal Blooms
- Air Quality and Climate
- Indoor and Outdoor Environments
- Health Effects