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A photograph of Laura Iraci

Laura Iraci

AJAX Principal Investigator, Alpha Jet Atomspheric eXperiment

Contents

Staff, NASA Ames Research Center
Atmospheric Science Branch (SGG)
Business Email: laura.t.iraci@nasa.gov
Business Phone: (650) 604-0129
Websites: ​https://nasa.gov/centers/ames/earthscience/programs/ajax

Professional Biography

Dr. Laura Iraci is a research scientist in the Earth Science Division at NASA Ames Research Center and studies the atmosphere through laboratory, airborne, and satellite studies. Dr. Iraci also serves as the Principal Investigator for the Alpha Jet Atmospheric eXperiment (AJAX) Project, which investigates the concentration of atmospheric gases from a jet aircraft, based at Moffett Field. The project measures greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, over California and Nevada, and observes ozone and pollution levels over the Pacific Ocean. Dr. Iraci’s research group performs laboratory cloud formation and growth experiments for Earth and Mars. She is also a team member on the GEOstationary Coastal and Air Pollution Events (GEO-CAPE) satellite mission that studies air pollution and coastal oceans from geostationary orbit. After collaborating with a NASA scientist, Dr. Iraci took advantage of the opportunity to work with other dedicated scientists who study the Earth and other planets in our Solar System, and joined Ames in 2000. Dr. Iraci believes a major benefit to learning about Mars, the moon, and Venus, is gaining a better understanding of Earth. Prior to working at NASA, Dr. Iraci was a scientist at SRI International in Menlo Park, CA, and from 1997-1998, she was a postdoctoral fellow at the National Center for Atmospheric Research. She received her Ph.D. in Analytical and Atmospheric Chemistry from the University of Colorado, where she studied the formation of the polar stratospheric clouds, which lead to ozone depletion. In that role, Dr. Iraci was in charge of evacuating a building due to a chemical spill. Dr. Iraci received her undergraduate training at Colgate University, Hamilton, New York. In her spare time, she sings with Schola Cantorum, a community chorus based in Mountain View, California, and enjoying tending to her backyard garden. She and her husband, whom she met at NASA Ames, have a son who was born a few weeks prior to the first AJAX flight.

Education

Ph.D., Analytical and Atmospheric Chemistry, 1997
University of Colorado at Boulder
Thesis: “Infrared Studies of Sulfuric Acid and its Impact on Polar and Global Ozone”

A.B., Chemistry, 1992
Colgate University, Hamilton, NY
Summa cum Laude, High Honors in Chemistry

Professional Experience

2005-2006:
NASA-Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
Special Assistant to Ames Center Director

2000-Present:
Research Scientist, Atmospheric Science Branch

1998-2000:
SRI International, Menlo Park, CA
Staff Scientist

1997-1998:
National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO
Postdoctoral Fellow

Awards & Others

  •  Special Achievement Award from Atmospheric Chemistry and Dynamics Branch for sustained scientific achievements, collaborations and contributions. August 2003. Performance Award. December 2002.
  •  National Center for Atmospheric Research Advanced Study Program Postdoctoral Fellowship, November 1997-September 1998.
  •  NASA Graduate Student Researchers Program/Earth System Science Fellowship. September 1994-November 1997.
  •  Selected participant for German-American Academic Council workshop: Volatile Organic Compounds in the Troposphere, October 1997.

Select Publications

  • Michelsen, R. R., S. J. R. Staton, and L. T. Iraci. 2006. Uptake and Dissolution of Gaseous Ethanol in Sulfuric Acid. J. Phys. Chem. A., DOI: 10.1021/jp056234s, web release date April 5.
  • Iraci, L. T., R. R. Michelsen, S. F. M. Ashbourn, T. A. Rammer, and D. M. Golden. 2005. Uptake of hypobromous acid (HOBr) by aqueous sulfuric acid solutions: Low-temperature solubility and reaction. Atmos. Chem. Phys., 5: 1577–1587.
  • Michelsen, R. R., S. F. M. Ashbourn, and L. T. Iraci. 2004. Dissolution, Speciation and Reaction of Acetaldehyde in Cold Sulfuric Acid. J. Geophys. Res., 109, D23205, doi:10.1029/2004JD005041.
  • Tabazadeh, A., R. J. Yokelson, H. B. Singh, P. V. Hobbs, J. H. Crawford, and L. T. Iraci. 2004. Heterogeneous chemistry involving methanol in tropospheric clouds. Geophys. Res. Lett., 31, L06114, doi: 10.1029/2003GL018775.
  • Fortin, T. J., K. Drdla, L. T. Iraci, and M. A. Tolbert. 2003. Ice condensation on sulfuric acid tetrahydrate: Implications for polar stratospheric ice clouds. Atmos. Chem. Phys., 3: 987-997.
  • Iraci, L. T., A. M. Essin, and D. M. Golden. 2002. Solubility of Methanol in Low-Temperature Aqueous Sulfuric Acid and Implications for Atmospheric Particle Composition. J. Phys. Chem.A, 106: 4054-4060.
  • Orlando, J. J., L. T. Iraci, and G. S. Tyndall. 2000. The Chemistry of the Cyclopentoxy and Cyclohexoxy Radicals at Sub-ambient Temperatures. J. Phys. Chem. A, 104: 5072.
  • Iraci, L. T., B. M. Baker, G. S. Tyndall, J. J. Orlando. 1999. Measurements of the Henry’s Law Coefficients of 2-Methyl-3-buten-2-ol, Methacrolein, and Methylvinyl Ketone. J. Atmos. Chem., 33: 321-330.
  • Tisdale, R. T., A. J. Prenni, L. T. Iraci, M. A. Tolbert, O. B. Toon. 1999. Variation of the Infrared Spectra of Nitric Acid Hydrates on Thin Sulfuric Acid Films. Geophys. Res. Lett., 26: 707-710.
  • Iraci, L. T., T. J. Fortin, and M. A. Tolbert. 1998. Dissolution of Sulfuric Acid Tetrahydrate at Low Temperatures and Subsequent Growth of Nitric Acid Trihydrate. J. Geophys. Res., 103: 8491-8498.
  • Iraci, L. T., and M. A. Tolbert. 1997. Heterogeneous Interaction of Formaldehyde with Cold Sulfuric Acid: Implications for the Upper Troposphere and Lower Stratosphere. J. Geophys. Res., 102: 16,099-16,107.
  • Iraci, L. T., A. M. Middlebrook, and M. A Tolbert. 1995. Laboratory Studies of the Formation of Polar Stratospheric Clouds: Nitric Acid Condensation on Thin Sulfuric Acid Films. J. Geophys. Res., 100: 20,969-20,977.
  • Iraci, L. T., A. M. Middlebrook, M. A. Wilson, and M. A. Tolbert. 1994. Growth of Nitric Acid Hydrates on Thin Sulfuric Acid Films. Geophys. Res. Lett., 21: 867-870.
  • Middlebrook, A. M., L. T. Iraci, L. S. McNeill, B. G. Koehler, O. W. Saastad, M. A. Tolbert, and D. R. Hanson. 1993. FTIR Studies of Thin H2SO4/H2O Films: Formation, Water Uptake, and Solid-Liquid Phase Changes. J. Geophys. Res., 98: 20,473-20,481.

Invited Scientific Seminars

  • “Organic Reactions in Aqueous, Acidic Atmospheric Aerosols,” Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Arizona State University, April 2006.
  • “Temperature and Composition Dependence of Organic Reactions in Aqueous, Acidic Atmospheric Aerosols,” part of special symposium on “Emerging Issues in Atmospheric Science: A Physical Chemistry Perspective,” 231st American Chemical Society National Meeting, March 2006.
  • “Uptake of Organic Gases by Upper Tropospheric and Lower Stratospheric Particles,”1st Symposium for the Earth Systems Scholars Network, September 2004.
  • “Atmospheric Particles Do It All: Chemistry, Physics, and More!” NASA Faculty Fellows Program Seminar, July 2004.
  • “Atmospheric Particles: Tiny Chemical Reactors,” Chemistry Department Seminar, San Francisco State University, November 2003.
  • “Chemistry of Particles in the Earth’s Atmosphere,” NASA Undergraduate Student Researcher Program summer seminar series, July 2003.
  • “Chemistry Over Your Head: Reactions on Particles in the Atmosphere,” NASA Faculty Fellows Program Summer Retreat, June 2003.
  • Tutorial on Atmospheric Aerosols at Annual Conference of the American Association for Aerosol Research, October 2002.

Invited Public and K-12 Lectures

  • “Atmospheric Particles, Organic Chemistry, Cloud Growth, and Global Warming!” Presentation for NASA Summer High School Apprenticeship Research Program, July 2005.
  • “Playing in Thin Air: Learning about the Earth’s Atmosphere.” Presentation for junior high school girls at Sally Ride Science Camp, October 2003.
  • “Atmospheric Particles: Tiny Chemical Reactors.” Public lecture for National Chemistry Week event hosted by Santa Clara Valley Section of the American Chemical Society. October, 2003.
  • “Changes in Our Atmosphere: Challenges and Choices,” presented to students and parents at Ursuline H.S. in Santa Rosa, CA. March 27, 2003.
  • “New Frontiers in Atmospheric Chemistry.” presented to 11th grade students at Ursuline H.S. in Santa Rosa, CA. March 27, 2003.

Other Presentations

  • “Cross-Reactions of Organic Trace Compounds in Cold, Acidic Sulfate Particles.” Oral presentation (A24B-06) by R. R. Michelsen at American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting. December 2005.
  • “Uptake of CH3COOH and CF3COOH in Upper Tropospheric Sulfate Particles: Effect of Fluorination on the Accommodation of Oxygenated Organic Vapors.” Poster presented (A21A-0835) at American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting. December 2005.
  • “Reactions of Oxygenated VOCs in UT/LS Aerosols: Laboratory Studies.” Poster presented at Annual Conference of the American Association for Aerosol Research. October 2005.
  • “Uptake and Reaction of Aldehydes in Low-Temperature Sulfuric Acid.” Poster presented at Gordon Conference on Atmospheric Chemistry. September 2005.
  • “Examination of Organic Reactions in UT/LS Aerosols: Temperature Dependence in Sulfuric Acid Solution.” Poster presented at the American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting. December 2004.
  • “Uptake of Organic Gases by Upper Tropospheric and Lower Stratospheric Particles.” Poster presented at 1st Symposium for the Earth Systems Scholars Network. September 2004.
  • “The Acid Catalyzed Nitration of Methanol: Formation of Methyl Nitrate via Aerosol Chemistry.” Poster presented at the American Geophysical Union Spring Meeting. May 2004.
  • “Environmental Partitioning and Reactivity of Polybrominated Diphenylethers.” Poster presented at the American Geophysical Union Spring Meeting. May 2004.
  • “Furthering our Understanding of the Chemical Composition of Upper Tropospheric and Lower Stratospheric Aerosols,” Oral presentation at the SOFIA Upper Deck Research Facility Workshop, June 2004.

Mentoring and Teaching

Postdoctoral Researchers:-Dr. Rebecca Michelsen, August 2002-August 2005; 
and two others

Graduate Student Advisee:-Mr. Mads Andersen, Univ. of Copenhagen, March 2005-present.
Supervisor: Prof. O. J. Nielsen.

Research Assistants:-Ms. Rosi Reed, San Jose State University, May–August 2006
Mr. Brent Riffel, Bay Area Environmental Research Institute, September 2003-August 2004.

Undergraduate Student Interns and Advisees:-Ms. Sarah Staton, William Jewell College, Summers 2003 and 2004. Now at Arizona State University. Also advised six others.

Current Collaborators

 Hans Jurg Jost, Jimena Lopez, NASA ARC (SGG) and BAERI

  • satellite studies of biomass burning lofted to the stratosphere

 Anthony Colaprete, NASA Ames Research Center (Code SST)

  • water ice cloud formation on Mars

 Max Bernstein and the ARC-SSA Astrochemistry Group (Lou Allamandola, Doug Hudgins, etc.)

  • Mars ice cloud nucleation studies

Professional Activities

Manuscripts: Chemical Reviews, Journal of Physical Chemistry, Journal of Geophysical Research, Geophysical Research Letters, Atmospheric Environment, Environmental Science and Technology, Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics 

Proposals: NSF: Division of Atmospheric Sciences, Division of Chemistry; NASA: Upper Atmosphere Research Program, Atmospheric Effects of Aviation Project, Sun-Earth Connection, Radiation Sciences Program, Tropospheric Chemistry Program; Petroleum Research Fund

  • Supporting Roles:-Seminar Organizer, Ames–Google Joint Seminar Series, January 2006–present.
  • Session Chair, American Chemical Society Meeting, March 2006.
  • Workshops and Committees:-Invited participant for Mass Accommodation Workshop, sponsored by NASA, Boston College, and Aerodyne Research, February 2002.
  • Invited Participant and Rapporteur for NASA Workshop on Laboratory Spectroscopic Needs for Remote Sensing, October, 2001.
  • Invited participant for NASA Workshop on Laboratory Studies of Upper Troposphere/Lower Stratosphere Processes, July 2001.
  • Reactivity Research Working Group: participated in development of science assessment and research goals to provide an improved scientific basis for reactivity-related regulatory policies for VOCs, sponsored by EPA and industry groups, Oct. 1998-Sept. 2000.
  • Invited participant for NASA Planning Workshop for Integration of Satellite Calibration/Validation and Research-Oriented Field Missions, August 1999.
  • Selected participant for German-American Academic Council workshop: Volatile Organic Compounds in the Troposphere, October 1997.

Memberships

American Geophysical Union

American Chemical Society

  • Community Involvement:-Climate Science Day, invited participant. Educated state lawmakers and their staffers about global climate change and the expected effects in California. Sponsored by the Union of Concerned Scientists, April 27, 2005; May 15-16, 2006.
  • Participated in Career Series with Girl Scouts of Santa Clara County, May 2003.
  • Judge, Latino College Preparatory Academy Science Fair, March 2005.
  • Judge, Synopsys Science and Technology Championship, March 2002 and March 2004

First Author Publications

Co-Authored Publications

Personal Essay

Kids are always asked “What do you want to be when you grow up?” as if there were one single right answer. As if “grown up” is a static condition, never changing, just being that one thing you always knew you wanted to be: firefighter, astronaut, princess, or veterinarian.

I didn’t have a single childhood passion that shaped my view of who I would be when I reached the destination called “grown up”. I did well in school, voraciously read Nancy Drew mysteries, and followed the plan laid out for me by my parents and school. This plan led me to high school chemistry in my sophomore year. We conducted surprising, memorable experiments and I learned rules that explained how elements and molecules worked and how to predict which ones caught fire when exposed to air and which ones just smelled funny. So when asked “where do you want to go to college?,” I knew that I wanted to go to a school with a really good chemistry department.

Once in college, the path you follow to get a chemistry degree is pretty tightly prescribed: general chemistry, next organic chemistry, then physical chemistry and ultimately onto higher-level electives. Once the degree requirements are accomplished, there is one last decision point before you are finally on your way toward defining your career and your self-image from here on: “grad school or med school?” I considered myself destined to be a scientist, so that was an easy decision for me. The fabled career path people kept talking about looked like a pretty straight line from a bachelor’s degree in science, to a Ph.D. and onto the destination of combining teaching and research at a college or university.

But now, looking back more than two decades later, I can see the long catalog of small events that influenced my journey, like the college brochure I tossed in the reject pile and then decided to fish back out a month later. Like the flyer I saw on a bulletin board just days before the application deadline for an internship at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. There were so many other small things that could have guided my life down a different route. Maybe my path had a little more wiggle room than I’d realized.

I can also see a few critical events that have fundamentally influenced the course of my life, even though they were nowhere to be found on that nice, linear career path leading toward an academic career in the sciences. The opportunity to work at NASA Ames broadened my scientific horizons and also gave me the chance to meet my future husband.

And of course there are the things I never predicted would occur along the life path of a chemist. I am helping design a satellite mission to study air quality. I met Harrison Ford and talked with him at length about global climate change. I’ve been to the state capital to teach legislators and their staffers about it too. I consult aeronautical charts and weather maps regularly. My experiments have been thwarted by Air Force One on more than one occasion!

As I continue to experience small and not-so-small events that influence my path, I am constantly realizing that a career does not have to be linear, and there is no destination where you finally become the one single, unchanging person you will be for the rest of your life.