Kristina Wagstrom

Dr. Kristina Wagstrom is an Associate Professor at the University of Connecticut, specializing in environmental engineering and atmospheric chemistry. Her research focuses on air pollution sources, exposure estimation, ecosystem impacts, and pesticide drift. She leads the Computational Atmospheric Chemistry and Exposure Laboratory, aiming to bridge scientific research and community-driven solutions. Dr. Wagstrom holds a Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon University (2009) and has received prestigious awards including the NSF CAREER Award (2018–2023) and UConn teaching/research accolades. Her work integrates computational modeling, field measurements, and community engagement to address air quality challenges, particularly near-road pollution and agricultural impacts. She has advised multiple Ph.D. students and actively promotes STEM education through service-learning initiatives.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, 2009

Research Interests: Dr. Wagstrom’s work spans air quality modeling, exposure assessment, and sustainable solutions. Her lab develops tools to evaluate pesticide drift between farmlands, quantify nitrogen deposition in ecosystems, and reduce community air pollution through low-cost interventions. She also investigates the socioeconomic disparities in air pollution exposure and collaborates with urban planners to design healthier environments.

Awards & Honors:

• NSF CAREER Award (2018–2023)
• CBE Faculty Research & Teaching Awards (2018)
• Service Learning Fellow (2015)
• AAAS Policy Fellowship (2012–2013)

Advising & Grants: Dr. Wagstrom’s grants include NSF-funded projects on near-road pollution and pesticide drift. She mentors students in projects like the GIFTS service-learning program and the CORSI-ROSSENTHAL air purifier initiative. Her work emphasizes community partnerships, such as collaborations with Hartford’s North End to monitor PM2.5 pollution.

Labs & Teams: Her Computational Atmospheric Chemistry and Exposure Laboratory (CACE Lab) focuses on innovative modeling and low-cost monitoring. She collaborates with interdisciplinary teams on projects like the Long Island Sound Watershed nitrogen study and pandemic-era air purification strategies.