Karena McKinney

Karena McKinney serves as Associate Professor of Chemistry and Chair of the Chemistry Department at Colby College, where she has taught since 2017. Her instructional portfolio spans Earth Systems Chemistry, Atmospheric Chemistry, general and analytical chemistry, instrument design, and courses for non-majors.

Her academic foundation includes:

• B.A. in Chemistry, Harvard University
• Ph.D. in Atmospheric Chemistry, University of California, Irvine (research on halogens in stratospheric ozone loss)
• Postdoctoral Scholar, California Institute of Technology

Research centers on biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) emitted by vegetation, investigating their atmospheric oxidation mechanisms through integrated field and laboratory approaches. Her work elucidates how natural emissions interact with anthropogenic pollutants to alter oxidant cycling, ozone production, and secondary organic aerosol formation in the lower atmosphere.

Dr. McKinney leads an active research group focused on atmospheric composition dynamics, with implications for air quality modeling and climate science. Her expertise bridges environmental chemistry and analytical methodology development.