Kristin A. Lewis

Kristin A. Lewis serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Nevada, Reno, a position held since 2015. Her professional trajectory includes roles as Atmospheric Science/Physics Instructor (2012–2015) and Research Assistant at the Desert Research Institute (2004–2007), demonstrating deep institutional integration within Nevada's atmospheric research ecosystem.

Her academic credentials feature a Ph.D. in Atmospheric Science (2007) and prior research appointments at the University of Oregon. Educational milestones include:

• Ph.D. Atmospheric Science, University of Nevada, Reno (2007)
• M.S. Physics, University of Oregon (2004)
• B.S. Physics summa cum laude, Saint Mary’s College of California (2002)

Dr. Lewis's research centers on aerosol-light interactions in biomass burning contexts, with emphasis on humidity-driven absorption changes and wildfire aerosol characterization. Her work bridges experimental field measurements during events like the 2008 California wildfires with advanced instrumentation development, particularly photoacoustic techniques for spectral analysis. This focus addresses critical climate and air quality questions regarding organic aerosol behavior.

Publication analysis reveals consistent investigation of biomass burning aerosols across four key works (2007–2009), highlighting methodological innovation in optical property measurement. Recurring themes include organic coating effects on light absorption, hygroscopic growth mechanisms, and spectral variations in smoke plumes – reflecting urgent environmental concerns in fire-prone regions.

While no formal awards are documented in the source material, her research appears in premier journals including Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics and Journal of Geophysical Research. Teaching contributions are evidenced through her GK-12 Fellowship and instructional roles, though specific student mentorship details remain unreported.

Her laboratory affiliations encompass the Desert Research Institute and UNR's atmospheric science facilities, where wildfire-related aerosol studies form the research backbone. Current work likely extends these investigations into evolving climate-driven fire regimes, though future directions aren't explicitly stated in the provided text.