Kimberly Prather Honored by National Academy of Sciences for Aerosol Research
Kimberly Prather, a renowned atmospheric chemist at the University of California San Diego, has been honoured by the National Academy of Sciences for her exceptional contributions to the field. Prather's innovative work on atmospheric aerosols and their impacts on air quality, climate, and human health has earned her the prestigious 2024 NAS Award in Chemical Sciences.
Prather's groundbreaking research includes the development of aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ATOFMS), a technique that provides real-time information on aerosol particles. Her work has been instrumental in understanding the transfer of coastal water pollution via sea spray aerosols, as demonstrated in her research at Imperial Beach, California.
Prather's leadership and communication skills were evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, where she actively discussed the role of aerosol transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Her dedication to the field has led to numerous accolades, including membership in prestigious organisations such as the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering.
Prather's impact on the scientific community is further highlighted by her role in founding several institutions. She is the founding director of the National Science Foundation Center for Aerosol Impacts on Chemistry of the Environment (CAICE) and co-director of the Meta-Institute for Airborne Disease in a Changing Climate Zone at UC San Diego. She also served as co-principal investigator for the Scripps Ocean-Atmosphere Research Simulator (SOARS) laboratory instrument.
Kimberly Prather's pioneering work in atmospheric chemistry has significantly advanced our understanding of aerosol particles and their impacts. Her numerous awards and leadership roles reflect her outstanding contributions to the field. With the 2024 NAS Award in Chemical Sciences, the scientific community continues to recognise and celebrate her extraordinary achievements.
