Coty Jen

Coty Jen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. She is a prominent researcher in atmospheric aerosol science and a member of the Center for Atmospheric Particle Studies (CAPS), where her work focuses on understanding how chemical composition and physical properties of atmospheric aerosol particles influence air quality and climate.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, 2015
• M.S. in Chemical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, 2013
• B.S. in Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, 2010
• Postdoc in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley, 2018

Professor Jen's research program centers on atmospheric aerosol science, with emphasis on disentangling the chemical complexity of the atmosphere through innovative measurement techniques and model development. Her group specializes in designing instruments to measure physical characteristics and molecular composition of atmospheric particles from molecular clusters to 2.5 µm diameter. This work is critical for predicting how human activities will alter air quality over coming decades, as atmospheric nucleation produces approximately 50% of global cloud condensation nuclei.

Analysis of Jen's publication record reveals consistent focus on atmospheric nucleation mechanisms, particularly sulfuric acid-amine interactions, wildfire emissions characterization, and nanoparticle instrumentation development. Her interdisciplinary research bridges atmospheric chemistry, environmental engineering, and analytical chemistry, with significant contributions to understanding particle formation pathways under various atmospheric conditions.

Scientific Awards:

• American Association for Aerosol Research Sheldon K. Friedlander Award, 2018
• National Science Foundation AGS Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2015-2017
• University of Minnesota Twin Cities Best Dissertation Award (Honorable Mention), 2016
• University of Minnesota Twin Cities Dissertation Fellowship, 2014-2015
• National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, 2011-2014
• Achievement Rewards for College Scientists Scholarship, 2010-2012

Professor Jen currently leads the Jen Research Lab, which is actively recruiting undergraduate and graduate students. Her research is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF AGS Atmospheric Chemistry) and the Department of Energy (DOE Atmospheric System Research). The lab focuses on three main areas: nanoparticle instrumentation development, atmospheric nucleation kinetics & growth modeling, and organic nitrogen speciation in the atmosphere.

The Jen Research Lab operates within the Center for Atmospheric Particle Studies (CAPS) at Carnegie Mellon University, taking a holistic approach to characterizing atmospheric nanoparticles. They examine the complete life cycle of aerosol particles, from formation through growth to their ultimate impacts on air quality and climate. The lab specializes in designing nanoparticle sizers, counters, and chemical speciation instruments to advance understanding of atmospheric particle dynamics.