Daniel Tong, associate professor of atmospheric chemistry and aerosols of George Mason University, is scheduled to deliver the University of Iowa's Climate / Atmospheric Science & Engineering (CASE) Colloquium talk on Friday, Feb. 17. The event is virtual. The topic is "Extreme Air Quality Events (Dust Storms and Wildfires) and Society in a Changing Climate."

The free event begins at 2:30 p.m., Feb. 17, and will be held via Zoom. Register for free at https://uiowa.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMsceGqrjopGtVNPfKZMtMLI9eNg4KYFkH5. After registering, watch for a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

The CASE Colloquium is presented by the University of Iowa's Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research and the Iowa Technology Institute. Find past CASE presentations here.

Abstract:

Although air quality continues to improve in the United States, the frequency of high-impact extreme events, such as wildfires and dust storms, has increased rapidly in the past decades and is projected to rise further in response to climate change. Hazardous events can impose drastic impacts on the society, including adverse health effects, life, and property losses. In this seminar I will discuss the linkage between climate, extreme events, and societal impacts, as well some efforts to improve predictability of these events at national and international levels.

Short Bio:

Daniel Tong is an Associate Professor of Aerosols and Atmospheric Chemistry at George Mason University (GMU). He is also the Director of the GMU Cooperative Institute of Satellite and Earth System Studies. Dr. Tong obtained his PhD in Atmospheric Sciences from North Carolina State University and received postdoctoral training at Princeton University. His research focuses on modeling and prediction of natural and anthropogenic emissions, and their effects on air quality, human health, and climate. Dr. Tong is a member of NASA Health and Air Quality Applied Science Team and serves as the Chair of Global Steering Committee of World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Sand and Dust Storms Warning Advisory and Assessment System. He also serves as President-Elect of the GeoHealth section of the American Geophysical Union (AGU). Previously, Dr. Tong worked at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to develop the National Air Quality Forecast Capability, and at the US Environmental Protection Agency to develop a windblown dust emission module for the agency’s flagship air quality model CMAQ.