Lu Xu

Lu Xu is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, affiliated with the Center for Aerosol Science and Engineering (CASE). He joined McKelvey Engineering in August 2023 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in Boulder, CO, where he served as a research scientist. Previously, he held postdoctoral and staff scientist roles at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech).

Education:

• PhD, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2016
• BS, Zhejiang University, 2011

Research Interests: Focuses on the intersection of air quality and climate change, particularly atmospheric chemistry of organic compounds from wildfires, vegetation, and industrial sources. Develops mass spectrometry-based analytical methods to study complex atmospheric compositions. Integrates laboratory studies, field measurements, and instrument innovation to assess impacts on human health and climate.

Grants & Collaborations: Co-PI on a $1.5M Simons Foundation International grant (2024) exploring stratospheric aerosol injection geoengineering with Rajan Chakrabarty and Rohan Mishra. Active in NOAA and Caltech collaborations on atmospheric science.

Labs & Locations: Lab based in Brauer Hall 3011A; office in Green Hall 3120G.