About CAICE
The Center for Aerosol Impacts on the Chemistry of the Environment (CAICE) is composed of multiple institutions across the globe and works to understand of how aerosol particles impact the environment, air quality, and climate. Chemical and physical variability of an aerosol can depend on ocean chemistry, biology, and other physical factors like wind and waves, requiring a highly interdisciplinary approach. With a team composed of physical, atmospheric, biochemistry, analytical, and organic chemists, as well as oceanographers and marine biologists - we aim to make the symposium just as diverse.
The Committee
Michael Alves (Co-Chair & Logistics): Mike is a second-year graduate student, NSF GRFP, and McNair fellow in the Grassian Research Group at UC San Diego. He graduated in 2017 with a B.S. in Chemistry from Augsburg University in Minneapolis, MN. He is interested in using an array of instrumental techniques to probe important questions relating to atmospheric chemistry with a focus on climate studies and public health concerns. His favorite activity is riding his seafoam green moped and he hopes to one day open up a cafe with fancy lighting and lots of books.
Kimberly Carter-Fenk (Marketing): Kimberly is a third-year graduate student in Dr. Heather Allen’s group at The Ohio State University. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry from the College of Wooster in 2016. Her current research efforts involve characterizing the effects of saccharides and other soluble organic compounds on the interfacial chemistry of the sea surface microlayer and sea spray aerosols. Outside of the lab, Kimberly enjoys photography, reading, and learning new languages.
Daniel Crocker (Budget and Finance): Dan is a fifth-year graduate student in the Thiemens Stable Isotope Research Group at UC San Diego. He graduated from the University of Connecticut with a B.S. in Chemistry. His research currently focuses on using stable isotopes to track physicochemical processes during sea spray aerosol formation. He enjoys almost all outdoor activities, but especially playing tennis.
Liora Mael (Programming): Liora is a third-year graduate student and NSF GRFP fellow in the Grassian Research Group at UC San Diego. She graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry from Oberlin College in Ohio. Her research at UCSD focuses on studying single particle water uptake at low temperatures using Raman spectroscopy. Outside of the lab, Liora enjoys exploring San Diego beaches with her dog, swimming, and yoga.
Kathryn Mayer (Committee Chair): Kathryn is currently a fourth-year graduate student in the Prather Research Group at UC San Diego. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in chemistry from the College of William and Mary in Virginia. Kathryn’s research at UCSD focuses on the formation of secondary marine aerosols and their effects on clouds and climate. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking and rock climbing.
Brock Mitts (Fundraising): Brock is a third-year graduate student in Dr. Kimberly Prather’s research group at the University of California, San Diego. He graduated with a B.S. in Biochemistry and a minor in atmospheric and oceanic science from the University of California, Los Angeles. His current research is focused on the development and characterization of a single-particle mass spectrometer that measures particle size, particle fluorescence, and chemical composition. The purpose of this instrument is to further explore biological aerosols to elucidate their role in ice nucleation of clouds. Outside of lab he enjoys surfing, photography, and exploring entrepreneurial innovations.
Alexia Moore (Fundraising): Alexia is a first-year graduate student and NSF GRFP fellow at UC San Diego. She graduated in 2018 with a Bachelor's degree in chemistry from Howard University in Washington, DC. She hopes to use mass spectrometry to better understand trace gases in the atmosphere.