About Me

I am a sixth year graduate student in Dr. Sonia Kreidenweis’ research group at Colorado State University. I received my bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Coastal Carolina University in May 2011. My graduate studies have focused on field measurements of atmosphere ice nucleating particles (INPs). These particles are unique and remain poorly characterized, yet play an important role in the precipitation rates, lifetimes, and radiative properties of mix-phase and ice-phase clouds.

The topic of my Master's thesis was investigating the role of biomass burning on atmospheric INP populations by evaluating INP concentrations from laboratory fires, prescribed burns, and wildfires in the US [McCluskey et al., 2014]. My PhD dissertation uses many tools from my Master’s thesis to assess the ocean as a source of INPs. Sea spray aerosol is emitted from the ocean via wave breaking and bubble bursting. There are many uncertainties in how SSA interacts with clouds, thereby influencing climate and climate predictability. Changes occur in the physiochemical characteristics of SSA during periods of biological activity (i.e. phytoplankton blooms), which are hypothesized to influence the number of INPs associated with SSA. I am exploring this biologically-driven source of ocean-derived INPs via laboratory and field studies as part of the NSF-CCL Center for Aerosol Impacts on Climate and the Environment (CAICE) and through international field experiments!

Contact Me

    Christina S. McCluskey
    Department of Atmospheric Science
    Atmospheric Chemistry Bdg, Room 11
    Colorado State University
    Fort Collins, CO
    Email*: mccluscs (at) atmos.colostate.edu
    Office phone: (970)491-7484