Lelia N. Hawkins

Lelia N. Hawkins is a Professor of Chemistry and Hixon Professor of Climate Studies at Harvey Mudd College. She holds a B.S. from UC San Diego and a Ph.D. from Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Her research focuses on air pollution's interaction with climate change, particularly the formation and transformation of brown carbon in urban environments like Los Angeles. She leads a lab conducting four key projects: real-time air quality monitoring, brown carbon simulations, mobile sensor mapping, and cloud chamber studies in Paris.

Her work has been supported by grants such as the NSF CAREER award (2015) and the Barbara Stokes Dewey Foundation. She collaborates with institutions like the University of Paris and frequently involves undergraduates in research, including senior thesis projects. Students in her lab have contributed to studies on particulate matter, cloud chemistry, and sensor networks.

Key research areas include aerosol-cloud interactions, climate modeling, and the health impacts of air pollution. Hawkins emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, combining analytical chemistry with environmental science. Her lab’s findings contribute to policies addressing global climate challenges. She also advocates for science education through initiatives like op-ed writing and curriculum development.

• Education:
• B.S., UC San Diego
• Ph.D., Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Her scientific honors include the NSF CAREER Grant and her endowed Hixon Professorship. Research students span multiple disciplines, including chemistry, engineering, and computer science. Public engagement includes media interviews on air quality trends and climate solutions.