Elijah Schnitzler

Elijah Schnitzler is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Oklahoma State University (OSU), specializing in atmospheric aerosol research. His group investigates the chemical, physical, and optical properties of aerosol particles, particularly those from biomass burning, focusing on their impacts on climate and human health. Schnitzler obtained his PhD in Physical Chemistry from the University of Alberta (2016), followed by an NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Toronto (2017–2019).

Research Interests: The Schnitzler group explores aerosol aging processes, including heterogeneous oxidation, photochemical reactions, and interactions with black carbon and nanoplastics. Key themes include light absorption dynamics, hygroscopicity, and the evolution of brown carbon. Their work integrates laboratory experiments with field studies, employing advanced instrumentation like hygroscopic tandem mobility analyzers and photoacoustic extinctiometers.

Grants & Awards: Notably, Schnitzler secured an NSF CAREER Grant (2024) to study biomass burning aerosol light absorption. His team also received funding from the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science & Technology (OCAST) and the SaniSport RSA initiative. His 2020 paper on brown carbon was recognized as an ESPI Hot Article and an Emerging Investigator Series selection.

Students & Outreach: Current graduate students include Habeeb Al-Mashala, Katrina Betz, Colton Calvert, and Sithumi Liyanage. The group emphasizes community engagement, such as developing educational modules for K-12 students through OSU’s Grandparent University. Equipment highlights include a photoacoustic extinctiometer, hygroscopic analyzers, and high-performance computing resources for molecular modeling.