Suzanne Paulson

Suzanne Paulson is a Professor and Director of the Center for Clean Air at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), within the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences. She holds academic affiliations with the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability (IoES) and advises graduate students like Viraj Sawant. Her research focuses on atmospheric chemistry, urban air quality, and health impacts of pollution.

Paulson earned a PhD in Environmental Engineering Science from Caltech (1991), with additional MS degrees in Plant Biology (University of Illinois) and Environmental Engineering (Caltech), along with a BA in Chemistry from the University of Colorado. She has received prestigious awards including the NSF CAREER Award and a Fulbright Specialist Award for work in Senegal.

Her research integrates field measurements, laboratory studies, modeling, and machine learning to address critical questions such as cloud chemistry effects on aerosols, urban pollution spatial dynamics, quantum-enhanced sensors for air quality, and the health impacts of particulate matter. Recent projects include assessing near-roadway air pollution and collaborating on climate-public health intersections.

Paulson actively engages with media and policymakers, providing expertise on wildfires, air quality, and environmental justice. Her work has been featured in Newsweek and UCLA Newsroom, and she has delivered over 80 invited lectures globally.

Current initiatives include the UCLA Air Quality Management Training Program and the 'Restoring the Blue Sky' project, leveraging 40 years of LA's air quality lessons. She collaborates on interdisciplinary teams addressing sensor technology advancements and African air pollution challenges.