Prather Research Group 

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry & Scripps Institution of Oceanography
University of California, San Diego


Chemistry, Climate, and Human Health

The impacts of atmospheric aerosol particles represent the largest uncertainty in scientific understanding of the Earth's climate and the air we breathe. Our group studies the chemistry of these particles as we look to learn more about their impacts on the planet's energy budget via the formation of clouds and human health. 

Prather Group News

In the early part of her career, Prof. Prather and her research group developed a unique method, aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ATOFMS), for the on-line characterization of the size and chemical composition of atmospheric aerosols. 

Using ATOFMS and a wide array of other gas and particle instruments, the Prather group is now performing studies worldwide to better understand the role of aerosols in climate change. Read more

Kim's interview illustrated by Jessica Esch

Contact us

Distinguished Prof. Kimberly Prather - kprather@ucsd.edu 

NSF Center for Aerosol Impacts on Chemistry of the Environment - caice@ucsd.edu

Meta-Institute for Airborne Disease in a Changing Climate - airborne@ucsd.edu