SUSAN K. CAYA
Viticulture & Enology
B.S., Chemistry, Univ. of Wisc. La Crosse, 1999
Research Focus:
"Chemical Speciation of Airborne Combustion Nanoparticulates: Chromium oxides"
Overview of project goals
- Develop precise, direct methods to determine chromium speciation in ultrafine and nanoparticle combustion effluent
- Evaluate presence and activity of compounds that coexist on the same particles as chromium, as they may participate in redox reactions
- Assess pulmonary toxicity as it relates to nanoparticle morphology and chemical compositio
- Compare surface and bulk particle composition using different analytical methodologies. Bulk analysis can be accomplished with a yet-to-be-developed synchrotron X-ray spectroscopy method (Berkeley ALS). Surface studies can be performed on a laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer here at UC-Davis
Internship or Partner Interaction:
I will be collaborating on several projects with other groups on campus. This project ties in with goals of the UC-Davis Superfund Analytical Core and Thermal Remediation units that we are also affiliated with. Another group we work with is the UC-Davis DELTA Group, which employs several techniques to analyze size-separated particulate analyses for major ions, metals, organics and elemental carbon. Additionally, I work with another group that is helping me use GC/MS and LC/MS to identify isomeric PAHs that cannot be resolved on our LDI-TOFMS. Finally, I will be working closely with a professor in inhalation toxicology. We plan to share data on chemical and toxicological information in order to better facilitate our future research plans.
Personal Statement:
Participation in the UC-Davis NEAT-IGERT program has opened up several doors of opportunity for me. The multidisciplinary consortium of participating scientists has allowed many unique ideas to influence my project plans. The stipend, fees, travel, and supplies funds have also been extremely helpful in helping the progress of my research, and to participate in national and international conferences to share information. Finally, Dr. Navrotsky's enthusiasm for the program as a whole, and directly with my project has been very encouraging and motivating.
