Thomas Leisner

Prof. Thomas Leisner is a Professor and Deputy Scientific Spokesman at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), leading the Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research - Atmospheric Aerosol Research (IMK-AAF). His research focuses on atmospheric processes, particularly ice nucleation, aerosol physics, and climate intervention. He has contributed to advancing understanding of secondary ice production mechanisms, aerosol composition in urban and rural environments, and the role of aerosols in cloud formation and climate dynamics. His work integrates field measurements, laboratory experiments, and numerical modeling to address critical gaps in climate science.

Research interests include the physical and chemical properties of aerosols, their impact on climate and air quality, and the development of innovative sampling technologies such as UAV-based aerosol measurement systems. He actively investigates the seasonal variability of ice-nucleating particles, biogenic and anthropogenic aerosol sources, and their implications for environmental health and climate change mitigation strategies.

Key contributions include studies on the Hallett-Mossop secondary ice production mechanism, brown carbon aerosol characterization, and the role of mucin in respiratory droplet behavior. His research spans interdisciplinary topics such as urban pollution dynamics, forest ecosystem interactions, and the application of cloud chamber experiments to assess climate intervention effectiveness.

Prof. Leisner collaborates on international projects, including the Pallas Cloud Experiment, and contributes to climate policy discussions through his analysis of model uncertainties and scientific knowledge gaps. His team develops advanced instrumentation for aerosol analysis and participates in large-scale atmospheric campaigns to enhance observational data for climate models.