Rainer Volkamer

Rainer Volkamer is a Professor and Institute Fellow at the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of Colorado Boulder. His research focuses on atmospheric chemistry with applications to air quality and climate science, combining in-situ and remote sensing techniques. He develops and deploys optical spectroscopic instruments in polluted urban and pristine environments, including field studies aboard ships, aircraft, and autonomous ground networks, alongside simulation chamber experiments to validate atmospheric models.

Education:

• Ph.D. from Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Germany
• Postdoctoral Fellow at University of California, San Diego
• Postdoctoral Fellow at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Research Interests span trace gases, radicals, aerosols, and instrument development. He investigates ocean-atmosphere interactions, halogen chemistry, and fast photochemical processes using platforms like the NOAA Twin Otter and NSF/NCAR Gulfstream V. His work also includes laboratory experiments on heterogeneous halogen activation and iodine chemistry.

Key Awards:

• NSF CAREER Award (2009)
• Feodor-Lynen Fellowship (2005-2007)
• Henry & Camille Dreyfus Fellowship (2002-2004)
• Marie Curie Fellowship (1998-2000)
• Erasmus Fellowship (1992-1993)

Advising and Collaborations include mentoring students like Lee Feinman and Romulo Cruz-Simbron, and participating in NSF and EPRI projects. His ATMOSpeclab team develops instruments such as the AMAX-DOAS and Fast-CE-DOAS.