Ilana B. Pollack - CV

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Established atmospheric scientist with a proven record of successfully developing and deploying instrumentation for measuring atmospheric trace gases from ground-based sites, in the laboratory, and on airborne platforms. Skilled in combining observations with statistical analysis methods and models to analyze and interpret data to address complex atmospheric chemistry and composition problems. Regularly communicate science through publication and conference presentations. Passionate about translating research findings into actionable, informed recommendations for advancing environmental research and towards protecting natural resources, public health, and the environment.

EDUCATION

PhD, Physical Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (Aug 1999 - Aug 2004)

BA, Chemistry, Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, PA (Aug 1995 - May 1999)

HIGHLIGHTED SKILLS

• Knowledge of atmospheric science, experimental physical sciences, and air monitoring instrumentation, and field measurement techniques  through conducting original atmospheric chemistry research during specialized field studies

• Expert in building custom instruments and modifying commercial analyzers for collecting in-situ atmospheric observations from airborne and ground-based platforms

• Skilled in analyzing complex data sets and performing data analyses using statistical methods and source apportionment models

• Demonstrated ability to communicate science through publishing peer-reviewed papers and presenting scientific results at conferences, meetings, and workshops

• Able to critically assess, troubleshoot, and resolve instrument issues in lab settings and during field intensives; accustomed to traveling to field sites and working in the field for several weeks at a time

• Skilled in performing data quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) processes and developing standard operating procedures (SOPs) to document research methodologies, ensuring consistent and standardized practices within a team

• Capable of creating project proposals aligned with current research needs; excited to participate in the development of original research projects to advance understanding of the chemical and physical processes that affect Earth’s atmospheric composition

• Experienced in organizing and leading teams, coordinating logistics, and effectively managing projects

• Proficient in Igor Pro for data analysis, WordPress/Elementor/Google Sites for web development, and Windows OS, MS Office, and Google Workspace for documentation, communication, and teamwork

• Experienced in using mechanical design and drafting for instrument development; familiar with Graphite and SolidWorks CAD software

• Able to work independently and in a collaborative team environment

• Proficient in oral, written, and electronic communication

• Recognized for having a strong work ethic and being organized, responsible, dependable, and committed to seeing projects through to completion

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Research Scientist III, Colorado State University Department of Atmospheric Science, Fort Collins, CO (Oct 2014 – present)

• Lead, oversee, and participate in a team to measure atmospheric trace gases in laboratory settings, at ground-based sites, and from research aircraft to address complex atmospheric chemistry and composition problems

• Develop and deploy custom-built instrumentation and commercial analyzers employing a multitude of measurement techniques (e.g., spectroscopy, chemiluminescence, and chromatography) for measuring atmospheric trace gases (e.g., ozone and its precursors, oxidized and reduced nitrogen species, and greenhouse gases)

• Analyze and interpret complex data sets using a combination of statistical analyses and source apportionment models

• Communicate scientific findings by presenting at scientific meetings, workshops, and conferences and publishing in peer-reviewed literature

• Regularly collaborate with government agencies and academia to conduct original research on atmospheric chemical and physical processes as demonstrated by awarded collaborative proposals aimed at understanding ozone, air toxics, fine particulate matter formation, and gas-aerosol partitioning

• Provide project management for all aspects and phases of the research projects; experienced in planning, executing, and overseeing lab/field project operations, prioritizing activities, setting schedules, managing budgets, maintaining safe and clean working environments, and creating technical documents, handbooks, and standard operating procedures

• Supervise students and provide mentorship to students, postdocs, and research scientists in data collection, air monitoring technologies, field measurement techniques, and data analysis methods

• Use study findings to inform/advise senior leadership, stakeholders, and policymakers on research priorities related to air quality

• Effectively work in fast-paced, diverse, and interdisciplinary teams as demonstrated by supporting colleagues in operating instrumentation in the field during specialized field campaigns and by additionally serving as the Program Coordinator for an interdisciplinary research study and mentoring program for undergraduate women interested in Earth and environmental sciences

• Organize and lead synergistic activities for broad international audiences across multiple agencies and academia 

Research Scientist II, NOAA’s Chemical Science Laboratory via the University of Colorado Boulder Cooperative Institute for Research in the Environmental Sciences, Boulder, CO (Jan 2009 – Oct 2014)

• Instrument team lead for collecting observations of ozone and nitrogen oxides during 5 field campaigns aboard NOAA and NASA airborne research platforms

• Coordinated laboratory activities, prepared instruments for field work, performed calibrations in the lab and in the field, organized field logistics, and operated instruments in flight

• Designed and constructed instruments for collecting in-situ atmospheric trace gas observations; evaluated, troubleshooted, and resolving instrument problems in the lab and during field intensives; performed data QA/QC and archived final data products

• Analyzed and interpreted atmospheric observations for furthering our understanding of regional air quality leading to 4 first-author publications in peer-reviewed journals, 8 presentations at national meetings, and 3 press releases

• Communicated scientific findings to non-scientific audiences, particularly highlighting successful decreases in O3 levels over 50 years in the California South Coast Air Basin due to federal and state emissions control strategies (e.g., doi:10.1002/jgrd.50472, doi:10.1002/2013EO290017, doi:10.1126/article.25997)

• Gained recognition for developing a high-powered UV-LED photolytic converter for measuring ambient nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and successfully evaluating its performance; this method became the recommended approach for NO2 measurements by the Global Atmosphere Watch (doi:10.1007/s10874-011-9184-3)

Post-Graduate Scientist, National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO (May 2005 – Dec 2008) 

• Lead developer of a deliverable fast-response ozone chemiluminescence instrument for the HIAPER Aircraft Instrument Solicitation; instrument delivered in 2007 and remains a valuable resource for NSF Lower Atmosphere Observing Facilities

• Managed a $300,000 budget for the design and construction of the deliverable instrument

• Served as team lead for deploying the ozone instrument on NSF/NCAR research aircraft during 3 field campaigns; assisted other NCAR instrument teams during national/international field campaigns

• Prepared mechanical and electronic schematics, datasheets, operations manuals, and standard operating procedures; used SolidWorks CAD software for instrument design and development

• Demonstrated proficiency in using general laboratory and diagnostic equipment for the evaluation and troubleshooting of scientific instrumentation in laboratory and field settings

Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Pennsylvania Chemistry, Philadelphia, PA (Aug 2004 – Apr 2005)   

• Routinely designed and performed fundamental laser spectroscopy experiments using high-powered lasers, ultra-high vacuum systems, pulsed supersonic nozzles, and photon collecting devices

• Supervised graduate students; assisted with data collection, analysis, and interpretation; contributed to publications and presented results and national/international meetings

AWARDED COLLOABORATIVE RESEARCH PROPOSALS

• Salt Lake City-Summer Ozone Study (SLC-SOS), PI: Emily V. Fischer (CSU), co-PIs: Ilana B. Pollack, Gannet Hallar (U. of Utah), Reem Hannun (U. of Pittsburgh), Lu Hu (U. of Montana), National Science Foundation Atmospheric Chemistry (May 2020)

• Ammonia for AEROMMA (A4A), Lead PI: Ilana B. Pollack, co-PI’s: Emily V. Fischer (CSU) and Jeffrey R. Pierce (CSU), NOAA Climate Program Office AC4: Emissions, Air Quality, and Heat in Urban Areas competition (May 2021)

• Developing STEM Identity by Engaging URM Undergraduate Students in Research on Air Pollution in Chicago Communities, PI: Ping Jing (Loyola), co-PI’s: Emily, V. Fischer (CSU), Ilana B. Pollack, and Tania Schusler (Loyola), NSF Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Pathways into the Earth, Ocean, Polar and Atmospheric & Geospace Sciences (Jul 2021)

• Transport and Transformation of Ammonia (TRANS2AM), PI: Emily V. Fischer (CSU), co-PIs: Ilana B. Pollack, Amy P. Sullivan (CSU), Dana R. Caulton (University of Wyoming), National Science Foundation Atmospheric Chemistry (May 2020)

TRAININGS

• Learn to Program: The Fundamentals of Python, Coursera (Feb-Mar 2024)

• Project Management Certificate Program, Colorado State University Online (Jan-May 2022)

• Mentor Well Series, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO (Jul 2021)

• Supervisory Development Certificate, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO (2020 AY)

• An introduction to LabView, LabView Core 1&2 training hosted by National Instruments, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO (May 2018)

• Entering Mentoring, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO (Apr-May 2017)

• Leadership & Management Training, University of Colorado eLearning, Boulder, CO (Aug 2014)

• Plain Language Communications Training, NOAA, Boulder, CO (Apr 2013)

SELECTED HONORS & AWARDS

• Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering Outstanding Researcher Award (Oct 2018)

• INSIGHT Into Diversity Inspiring Women in Stem (National Recognition) Award (Jul 2016)

• Colorado Governor’s Award for High-Impact Research (CO-LABS), team award for air quality work during Deepwater Horizon gulf oil spill (Oct 2012)

• CIRES Award for outstanding performance in science and engineering for collaboration with the Deepwater Horizon P-3 Response Team (Apr 2011)

• University of Pennsylvania School of Arts & Sciences Dissertation Fellowship Award (2003-2004)

SYNERGISTIC ACTIVITIES

• Organized international “Careers Beyond Academia” webinars via the Earth Science Women’s Network professional development committee (100+ international participants per webinar; 4Nov2021, 22June2022, 2Dec2022, & 4Dec2024 webinars available on YouTube)

• Participated in the NASA Earth Sciences Division ROSES 2022 review panel (Nov 2022)

• Chaired 5 sessions and organized 2 events at national annual scientific meetings (2016-present)

• Routinely peer review research articles for scientific journals (2010-present)