Land, Air and Water Resources

UC Davis has a large concentration of air quality experts, including these CA&ES scientists

Qi Zhang
"The atmosphere is like a big reactor that's always cooking stuff," says Qi Zhang, a professor in the Department of Environmental Toxicology.

Zhang and colleagues study the chemistry and physical properties of aerosols—atmospheric particulate matter and aerial droplets—that cause poor air quality and affect human health. Her research has taken her all over the world to analyze air samples with sophisticated equipment.

Benjamin Houlton has been named director of the John Muir Institute of the Environment.

The UC Davis Office of Research has named Benjamin Houlton as the new director of the John Muir Institute of the Environment, known as JMIE.  Houlton takes over from Mark Schwartz, who has directed the program since 2009. Houlton, a professor in the Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, was named associate director of JMIE in January of this year.

UC Davis research studies look at the impact of climate change and what can be done to mitigate the damage.

Research supports productivity and environmental health

Nitrogen is important for producing high-yield crops, and productive agriculture is vital to feeding billions of people worldwide. But as a newly released nitrogen assessment shows,excess nutrients can pollute air and drinking water, and cause serious health and environmental risks.

The goal is to end 'bitter scenario of energy poverty'

West Village is the largest planned zero-net energy project in the United States. (Jeff Peters photo)

Their work in Africa ranges from placing solar lanterns in humble huts to advising the leadership of South Africa’s national power utility.