Brian Majestic
Associate Professor; Chair, Chemistry & Biochemistry
303-871-2986 (Office)
Seeley G. Mudd Building, 2101 E. Wesley Ave. Denver, CO 80208
What I do
I teach our Environmental and Analytical Chemistry courses, with my scholarship focus on the chemistry of atmospheric particulate matter.Specialization(s)
atmospheric chemistry, photochemistry, particulate matter
Professional Biography
Academic Experience:
2011 - present: University of Denver
2009-2011: Lecturer, Northern Arizona University
2007-2009: Post-doctoral researcher, Arizona State University
Education:
2007, Ph.D. Environmental Chemistry and Technology, University of Wisconsin - Madison,
2003, MS Chemistry, University of Wisconsin - Madison
2003, Certificate Energy Analysis and Policy, University of Wisconsin - Madison
2000, BS Chemistry, University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign.
2011 - present: University of Denver
2009-2011: Lecturer, Northern Arizona University
2007-2009: Post-doctoral researcher, Arizona State University
Education:
2007, Ph.D. Environmental Chemistry and Technology, University of Wisconsin - Madison,
2003, MS Chemistry, University of Wisconsin - Madison
2003, Certificate Energy Analysis and Policy, University of Wisconsin - Madison
2000, BS Chemistry, University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign.
Degree(s)
- Ph.D., Environmental Chemistry and Technology, University of Wisconsin - Madison, 2007
- Certificate, Energy Analysis and Policy, University of Wisconsin - Madison, 2003
- MS, Chemistry, University of Wisconsin - Madison, 2003
- BS, Chemistry, University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign, 2000
Job History
Academic Experience:
- 2011-present: University of Denver
- 2009-2011: Lecturer, Northern Arizona University
- 2007-2009: Post-doctoral researcher, Arizona State University
Research
My research focus revolves around the chemistry of solid and liquid particles in the atmosphere, i.e., particulate matter (PM). We are primarily interested in airborne "dust," which is resuspended soil and sand debris from arid regions and can be transported 1000s km, and even around the globe.
From the perspective of dust, we are interested in both its source, using stable metal isotopes as a tool to trace the dust, and the chemistry of the dust as it is transported through the atmosphere. As iron is the most abundant transition element in PM, we focus on how iron is solubilized and transformed during transport. We are also interested in the interactions between the iron and organic fractions of the PM, including photochemistry and aqueous cloudwater chemistry.
From the perspective of dust, we are interested in both its source, using stable metal isotopes as a tool to trace the dust, and the chemistry of the dust as it is transported through the atmosphere. As iron is the most abundant transition element in PM, we focus on how iron is solubilized and transformed during transport. We are also interested in the interactions between the iron and organic fractions of the PM, including photochemistry and aqueous cloudwater chemistry.
Areas of Research
PM2.5
dust
iron
PAH
combustion particles
metals
ICPMS
Key Projects
- The Formation of Atmospheric Soluble Iron: Atmospheric Processing and Direct Emissions by Gasoline and Diesel Powered Vehicles
- Collaborative Research: Impact of metals on photchemical aging of water soluble organic carbon in atmospheric particulate matter: A combined lab and field study
Awards
- Assessment Fellow, Office of Teaching and Learning
- Faculty Career Champion, Career Services
