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Jonathan "Nate" Hall Slade Jr., Ph.D.
William A. Lee Assistant Professor of ChemistryOffice: Tata Hall 1201Phone: 858-534-8972 Email: jhslade@ucsd.eduEducation2015 Ph.D., Atmospheric Chemistry, State University of New York at Stony Brook (Stony Brook University)2009 M.Sc., Chemistry, Purdue University2007 B.Sc., Chemistry, Winthrop University
Appointments2018-present Assistant Professor, Chemistry, University of California San Diego2015-2018 Postdoctoral Research Associate, Chemistry, Purdue University
Awards and Academic Honors2018 William A. Lee Chancellor's Endowed Junior Faculty Fellow2015 Best Doctoral Thesis Award2015 Atmospheric Chemistry Colloquium for Emerging Senior Scientists (ACCESSXIII)2009 National Science Foundation Biosphere and Atmosphere Research and Training (NSF-BART) Summer Fellow
Dr. Slade received his Ph.D. in Atmospheric Chemistry from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 2015, where he received the department’s best doctoral thesis award. He was subsequently a Postdoctoral Scholar in the Department of Chemistry at Purdue University, where he led an NSF project as Principle Investigator to study the role of organic nitrates in new aerosol particle formation. Dr. Slade’s primary research interests are in the area of air pollution and atmospheric chemistry. His research at UCSD will build upon his previous experience in chemical kinetics, multiphase chemistry, and aerosol–climate interactions to unravel the fundamental chemical and physical processes involved in the formation, evolution, and toxicity of atmospheric aerosols, with an emphasis on coastal urban environments. He will teach courses in analytical and atmospheric chemistry, as well as instrumental analysis. In addition, Dr. Slade has extensive experience in educational outreach activities. While at Purdue University, he developed an outreach program for high school students to study indoor and outdoor air quality, and was keynote speaker for the NSF Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) national meeting. He plans to engage in similar outreach activities at UCSD.
Postdoctoral Researchers
Dr. Wen Zhang
Dr. Wen Zhang
Postdoctoral ResearcherEmail: wez086@ucsd.eduHometown: B.S. in Chemistry – University of Science and Technology of ChinaPh.D. in Chemistry – University of California, Riverside
Wen joined the Slade group as a postdoc in July 2025. She earned her B.S. in Chemistry at University of Science and Technology of China and her Ph.D. in Chemistry at University of California, Riverside. She is currently focusing on the heterogeneous reaction kinetics and surface chemistry between reactive oxidants with Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI) precursors materials of different generations.
Wen joined the Slade group as a postdoc in July 2025. She earned her B.S. in Chemistry at University of Science and Technology of China and her Ph.D. in Chemistry at University of California, Riverside. She is currently focusing on the heterogeneous reaction kinetics and surface chemistry between reactive oxidants with Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI) precursors materials of different generations.
Graduate Students
Kanuri Roundtree
Kanuri Roundtree
Ph.D. CandidateEmail: kroundtree@ucsd.eduHometown: Chicago, ILB.A. in Chemistry – University of San Diego, 2022M.S. in Chemistry – University of California, San Diego, 2024
Kanuri is a PhD candidate with a background in nanoparticle, brown carbon, and aerosol chemistry. During her undergraduate career, she received the Bridges to Doctoral Institutions Fellowship to assist in investigating nanoparticles using thermal desorption chemical ionization mass spectrometry in 2021. She is currently focusing on the aerosol phase state of marine and biomass burning particles. In her free time, she enjoys playing the violin and kickboxing.
Kanuri is a PhD candidate with a background in nanoparticle, brown carbon, and aerosol chemistry. During her undergraduate career, she received the Bridges to Doctoral Institutions Fellowship to assist in investigating nanoparticles using thermal desorption chemical ionization mass spectrometry in 2021. She is currently focusing on the aerosol phase state of marine and biomass burning particles. In her free time, she enjoys playing the violin and kickboxing.
Diana Tran
Diana Tran
Ph.D. CandidateEmail: dit002@ucsd.eduHometown: Tacoma, WAB.S. in Chemistry – University of Puget Sound, 2022M.S. in Chemistry – University of California, San Diego, 2024
Diana is a PhD candidate with a background in wastewater-based-epidemiology (WBE). During her undergraduate career she received Honors in the major and was selected to be a part of the first cohort of Clare Boothe Luce Research scholars, a group focused on advocating for women in STEM. She is passionate on the application of chemistry to environmental problems. In her free time, she likes to play tennis, read, and sit on the beach.
Diana is a PhD candidate with a background in wastewater-based-epidemiology (WBE). During her undergraduate career she received Honors in the major and was selected to be a part of the first cohort of Clare Boothe Luce Research scholars, a group focused on advocating for women in STEM. She is passionate on the application of chemistry to environmental problems. In her free time, she likes to play tennis, read, and sit on the beach.
Amelie Creekmore
Amelie Creekmore
Ph.D StudentEmail: acreekmore@ucsd.eduHometown: Santa Rosa, CAB.S. in Chemistry – University of Washington, 2024
Amelie is a first-year graduate student with a background studying indoor air quality (IAQ). During her time at UW, she worked with Dr. Dan Jaffe researching indoor chemical pollution sources and pursued her passion for teaching as a UW CLUE Chemistry tutor for undergraduates. She is interested in researching the photochemical reactions of gaseous UV filters and their SOA formation to assess their effects on air quality. Outside of the lab, she enjoys rock climbing, hiking, and camping.
Amelie is a first-year graduate student with a background studying indoor air quality (IAQ). During her time at UW, she worked with Dr. Dan Jaffe researching indoor chemical pollution sources and pursued her passion for teaching as a UW CLUE Chemistry tutor for undergraduates. She is interested in researching the photochemical reactions of gaseous UV filters and their SOA formation to assess their effects on air quality. Outside of the lab, she enjoys rock climbing, hiking, and camping.
Anna Vu
Anna Vu
Ph.D. StudentEmail: anv028@ucsd.eduHometown: Statesville, NCB.S. in Chemistry – University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, 2025
Anna is a first year graduate student with a passion for using chemistry to mitigate environmental threats and advocating for first generation students in STEM. During her time at UNC, she conducted solar fuel cells research using electrochemistry and surface analysis techniques under Dr. Matthew Lockett's analytical chemistry group. When she's not in the lab, Anna likes to read, roller skate, and drink non-performative matcha with friends.
Anna is a first year graduate student with a passion for using chemistry to mitigate environmental threats and advocating for first generation students in STEM. During her time at UNC, she conducted solar fuel cells research using electrochemistry and surface analysis techniques under Dr. Matthew Lockett's analytical chemistry group. When she's not in the lab, Anna likes to read, roller skate, and drink non-performative matcha with friends.
Molly Hedin
Molly Hedin
Masters StudentEmail: mhedin@ucsd.eduHometown: San Diego, CAB.S. in Chemistry (Biochemistry Emphasis) – San Diego State University, 2024
Molly is a first-year graduate student with a background in computational physical chemistry. During her undergraduate studies, she worked under Dr. Andrew Cooksy in his physical chemistry research group; and participated in an outreach group to educate young students on the importance of math in fields of science. She is passionate about chemical research aimed to aid climate change, with an emphasis on ocean and atmospheric chemistry. She aims to be environmentally friendly both in and out of her career, with one of her hobbies being sustainable fashion.
Molly is a first-year graduate student with a background in computational physical chemistry. During her undergraduate studies, she worked under Dr. Andrew Cooksy in his physical chemistry research group; and participated in an outreach group to educate young students on the importance of math in fields of science. She is passionate about chemical research aimed to aid climate change, with an emphasis on ocean and atmospheric chemistry. She aims to be environmentally friendly both in and out of her career, with one of her hobbies being sustainable fashion.
Cheryl Liu
Cheryl Liu
Masters StudentEmail: chl077@ucsd.eduHometown: B.S. in Chemistry –
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Cheryl is
Undergraduate Students
Rachel Tseng
Rachel Tseng
Xitlali Ventura
Xitlali Ventura
Amanda Shane
Amanda Shane
Velvet Pan
Velvet Pan
Ian Escuro
Ian Escuro
Hometown : Murrieta, CA
Ian is a third year undergraduate student double majoring in Environmental Chemistry and Microbiology, with a minor in Environmental Studies. He joined the Slade Group as part of the McNair Scholars Program and is deeply interested in the intersection between chemistry, environmental issues, and social problems. In his free time, he enjoys reading.
Ian is a third year undergraduate student double majoring in Environmental Chemistry and Microbiology, with a minor in Environmental Studies. He joined the Slade Group as part of the McNair Scholars Program and is deeply interested in the intersection between chemistry, environmental issues, and social problems. In his free time, he enjoys reading.
Lab Pets
Coco The First
Coco The First
Coco The Second
Coco The Second
Benji
Benji
Lab Alumni
Dr. Lincoln Mehndiratta
Dr. Lincoln Mehndiratta
PhD in Chemistry, 2025Thesis : Immersion Ice Nucleation of Marine Relevant Organic and Reactions in Microdroplets
Currently working as a research technician (aerosol) at Southern Cross University in Australia
Currently working as a research technician (aerosol) at Southern Cross University in Australia
Maya Morris
Maya Morris
Masters in Chemistry, 2024Thesis : Enrichment and Transfer Mechanisms of Organic Ultraviolet Filters in Sea Spray Aerosols.
Currently working at Entorno law LLP as an Environmental Toxin Research Director.
Currently working at Entorno law LLP as an Environmental Toxin Research Director.
Dr. Adam Cooper
Dr. Adam Cooper
Ph.D. in Chemistry, 2024Thesis: Interfacial Interactions of Organic Pollutants in the Marine Environment: Selective Transfer and Photo-Initiated Reactions
Currently an air pollution chemist with the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District
Currently an air pollution chemist with the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District
Dr. Samantha Kruse
Dr. Samantha Kruse
Ph.D in Chemistry, 2024Thesis: Utilizing Extractive Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry to Probe the Composition of Sea Spray Aerosol and the Photochemical Reaction Kinetics of Aerosol-Phase Bisphenol-A
Currently a postdoctoral researcher at Sandia National Laboratories
Currently a postdoctoral researcher at Sandia National Laboratories
Dr. Paul (Ryan) Tumminello
Dr. Paul (Ryan) Tumminello
Ph.D in Chemistry, 2024Thesis: Viscosity of Marine Aerosols: Effects of Biological Activity, Size, Wind Speed, and Chemical Aging
Currently a postdoctoral researcher at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Currently a postdoctoral researcher at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Allison Kawasaki
Allison Kawasaki
M.S. in Chemistry, 2022Thesis: Uptake Kinetics of a Pure α-pinene-derived Hydroxy Nitrate onto Seed Aerosol at Different Relative Humidity and Particle Acidity"
Cindy Tan
Cindy Tan
M.S. in Chemistry, 2022Thesis: Photodegradation and Heterogeneous OH Oxidation Kinetics and Product Analysis of Aerosolized Triclosan Mixed with NaCl and Humic Acid
Currently a Renewable Energy Analyst with the UC Office of the President
Currently a Renewable Energy Analyst with the UC Office of the President
Ben Carr
Ben Carr
M.S. in Chemistry, 2023
Rachel Jiang
Rachel Jiang
Former undergraduate student researcher
Sofia Ingersoll
Sofia Ingersoll
Former undergraduate student researcher
Kun Wang
Kun Wang
Former undergraduate student reseaercher
Karen Lopo-Zepeda
Karen Lopo-Zepeda
Former undergraduate student researcher and staff scientist.
Tobie Bloom
Tobie Bloom
Former undergraduate student reseaercher
Julia Niehoff
Julia Niehoff
Former summer SURP student. Pursuing B.S. at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Vanessa Valdez
Vanessa Valdez
Former summer SURP student. Pursuing B.S. at CSU Fullerton
Zhuoying Lin
Zhuoying Lin
Former undergraduate student researcher. Pursuing Ph.D. in Chemistry at the University of California Los Angeles
Katy Belcher
Katy Belcher
Former summer SURP student. Currently an NIH PREP Scholar at the University of Michigan.
Isis Guadalupe Díaz
Isis Guadalupe Díaz
Former summer REU student. Pursuing B.S, in Chemistry at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras
Isaac Canada
Isaac Canada
Former undergraduate student researcher. Pursuing career in air quality
Reece James
Reece James
Former undergraduate student researcher. Pursuing Ph.D. in Biological Oceanography at the University of Hawaii at Manoa
Mallory Small
Mallory Small
Former graduate student researcher. Currently chemist I at a wastewater treatment plant
Tessa Tafuri
Tessa Tafuri
Tessa is a third year undergraduate student majoring in general chemistry with an interest in environmental chemistry. She is passionate about advancing sustainability through innovative research and taking steps to lessen the impact of climate change.
Aubrie Ackland
Aubrie Ackland
Former summer undergraduate research student, Aubrie is a third year student pursuing a B.S. in chemistry at the University of San Diego where she hopes to continue her students in a PhD program after graduation. She assisted in the beginning stages of calibrating analytical instruments for UV Filter aerosol transfer detection.
In Memoriam
Renee Niles
Renee Niles
Ph.D. StudentHometown: Binghamton, New YorkB.S. in Chemistry - University of Rochester
Renee studied the chemical and physical properties of respiratory aerosols generated from speech with implications for indoor air quality and transmission of pathogens. She was awarded an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship in 2021.
Renee studied the chemical and physical properties of respiratory aerosols generated from speech with implications for indoor air quality and transmission of pathogens. She was awarded an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship in 2021.
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