Frank Keutsch

Frank Keutsch is the Stonington Professor of Engineering and Atmospheric Science at Harvard University, affiliated with the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology. His research spans atmospheric chemistry, climate science, and environmental engineering.

Research Interests: The Keutsch Group focuses on photochemical oxidation processes of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that produce tropospheric ozone and secondary organic aerosols (SOA), with implications for human health and climate. They also investigate stratospheric aerosol chemistry and biosphere-atmosphere interactions, particularly plant-driven VOC dynamics in both outdoor and indoor environments.

Key Techniques: The group develops advanced instrumentation like FILIF (formaldehyde LIF), LIP (glyoxal LIP), and DPOPS (optical particle counters), integrating field campaigns, laboratory experiments, and modeling (SOCOL-AERv2) to improve atmospheric chemistry models.

Recent Projects: Their work includes the DCOTSS project on stratospheric dynamics, studies of stratospheric aerosol injection for climate mitigation, and urban VOC characterization in Beijing. Field campaigns span tropical forests, oceans, and polar regions.

• Scientific Awards:
  • Stonington Professor of Engineering and Atmospheric Science

Advising & Collaborations: Frank accepts graduate students and collaborates extensively, including with the Kroll group at MIT and ETH-Zurich. His lab combines experimental innovation with modeling to address global atmospheric challenges.