Scholar Spotlight: Ziying (Nancy) Lei
“I study tiny particles in the air—like pollen and wildfire smoke—that are invisible to the eye but have a big influence on clouds, climate, and public health.”
Ziying (Nancy) Lei
Assistant Professor
Department of Chemistry
My research focuses on advancing our understanding of the physical and chemical properties of atmospheric aerosol particles and how their transformations influence cloud formation, air quality, and climate. I use advanced single-particle spectroscopy and microscopy to link molecular-level chemistry with large-scale environmental impacts.
Atmospheric particles are very diverse and unpredictable. A single particle can shape a thunderstorm or even influence the global climate, and each new discovery about their role in clouds brings us closer to better predictions and solutions for environmental challenges.
Why I Do What I Do
I was drawn to chemistry because it reveals the hidden processes shaping our world. I found my passion for atmospheric chemistry when I combined lab studies with field work, including chasing thunderstorms in a van to collect particles. Discovering how these tiny particles can affect storms, climate, and human health continues to inspire my research today.
Currently Working On
With our cutting-edge Optical Photothermal Infrared (O-PTIR) Spectroscopy System, we are developing new measurements to characterize sub-pollen particles in the atmosphere, exploring innovative ways to determine aerosol acidity at the single-particle level, and investigating the chemistry of wildfire particles and their role in cloud formation. These unique projects are providing new insights into atmospheric chemistry and how aerosol particles play an important role in both climate and public health.