Ziying (Nancy) Lei
ADDRESS
Ziying (Nancy) Lei
Assistant Professor
Dr. Ziying (Nancy) Lei is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Tennessee, where she leads research on atmospheric particles to advance our understanding of their significant impacts on climate change and air pollution. Her research focuses on the intricate properties of these particles, such as their size variability from 1 nm to 100 µm, varying acidity, diverse morphology, and complex chemical composition. These attributes are crucial as they continuously evolve through heterogeneous and multiphase chemistry, influencing both environmental health and climate systems.
Dr. Lei brings a commitment to excellence in research and education. She has contributed significantly to the academic community through publications in prestigious journals and conference presentations. Lei’s scholarship, recognized with several awards for her research achievements, is marked by a dedication to excellence and a passion for advancing the frontiers of her field.
As an educator, Dr. Lei is devoted to integrating real-world scientific challenges into the curriculum, fostering a learning environment that nurtures critical thinking and hands-on learning. She is committed to mentoring the next generation of scholars and professionals, using engaging teaching methods to inspire her students and providing mentorship that supports their academic and professional growth. Lei’s teaching philosophy emphasizes the development of skills necessary for success in a rapidly changing world, preparing students to understand and solve environmental challenges.
Education
B.S. Guilin University of Technology (2015)
M.S. The Ohio State University (2016)
Ph.D. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (2021)
Postdoc Texas A&M University (2021-2024)
Research
The Lei Laboratory employs cutting-edge spectroscopic and microscopic techniques to investigate atmospheric particles, aiming to understand their impacts on air pollution and climate change. A significant challenge in assessing the climatic impact of these particles is due to their complex attributes, such as their size range from 1 nm to 100 µm, varying acidity, diverse morphology, and intricate chemical composition. These properties can continuously evolve through heterogeneous and multiphase chemistry. To accurately evaluate and model their climate impacts, the Lei Group utilizes innovative spectroscopy methods to characterize atmospheric particles. This approach allows for a deeper understanding of their fundamental physicochemical properties and their real-world implications. Our research focuses on several specific areas:
- Investigating the role of aerosol acidity, ionic strength, and particle size in facilitating ice nucleation.
- Advancing molecular characterization and developing novel methods for measuring single particle physicochemical properties and their ice nucleation capabilities.
- Exploring the effects of aerosol phase and morphology on various ice nucleation mechanisms.
Through our research, the goal is to contribute significantly to the understanding of atmospheric particles, thereby informing strategies for mitigating air pollution and climate change.
Selected Publications
1. Lei, Z.; Chen, B., Brooks, S. Effect of Acidity on Ice Nucleation by Inorganic-organic Mixed Droplets, ACS Earth and Space Chemistry, 2023, in press
2. Fankhauser, A.; Lei, Z.; Daley, K.; Xiao, Y.; Zhang, Z.; Gold, A.; Ault, B.; Surratt, J.; Ault, A. Acidity-Dependent Atmospheric Organosulfate Structures and Spectra: Exploration of Protonation State Effects via Raman and Infrared Spectroscopy and Density Functional Theory, ACP, 2022
3. Lei, Z., Zhang, J., Mueller, A. E., Xiao, Y., McNeil, J. A., Banaszak Holl, M. M., Ault, P. A. Glass Transition Temperatures of Individual Submicron Atmospheric Particles: Direct Measurement via Heated Atomic Force Microscopy Probe, Analytical Chemistry Letter, 2022
4. Lei, Z., Yuzhi C., Yue Z., Madeline E. C., Isabel L., Cazimir N. A., Nicole E. O., Zhenfa Z., Avram G., Jason D. S., Andrew P. A. Initial pH Governs Secondary Organic Aerosol Viscosity and Morphology after Uptake of Isoprene Epoxydiols (IEPOX), Environmental Science and Technology, 2022
5. Lei, Z.; Olson E. N.; Zhang, Y.; Chen, Y.; Lambe, A.; Zhang, J.; White, N.; Atkin, J.; Banaszak Holl, M.; Zhang, Z.; Gold, A.; Surratt, J.; Ault P. A. Morphology and Viscosity Changes after Reactive Uptake of Isoprene Epoxydiols in Submicrometer Phase Separated Particles with Secondary Organic Aerosol Formed from Different Volatile Organic Compounds, ACS Earth and Space Chemistry, 2022
6. Kirpes, M.R; Lei, Z.; et al. Encapsulation of ammonium sulfate particles by solid organics at high relative humidity in the summertime Arctic atmosphere, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2022
7. Olson, N. E.; Xiao, Y.; Lei, Z.; Ault, A. P. Simultaneous Optical Photothermal Infrared (O-PTIR) and Raman Spectroscopy of Submicrometer Atmospheric Particles, Analytical Chemistry, 2020.
8. Lei, Z.; Bliesner, S. E.; Mattson, C. N.; Cooke, M. E.; Olson, N. E.; Chibwe, K.; Albert, J. N.L.; Ault, A. P. Aerosol Acidity Sensing via Polymer Degradation, Analytical Chemistry, 2020, 92 (9), 6502-6511.
9. Olson, N. E.; Lei, Z.; Craig, R. L.; Zhang, Y.; Chen, Y.; Lambe, A. T.; Zhang, Z.; Gold, A., Surratt, J. D., Ault, A. P. Reactive Uptake of Isoprene Epoxydiols Increases the Viscosity of the Core of Phase-Separated Aerosol Particles, invited submission to special issue on “New Advances in Organic Aerosol Chemistry”, ACS Earth and Space Chemistry, 2019, 3(8), 1402-1414.
10. Riva, M.; Chen, Y.; Zhang, Y.; Lei, Z; Olson, N. E.; Boyer Chemlo, H. C.; Narayan, S.; Yee, L. D.; Green, H. S.; Cui, T.; Zhang, Z.; Baumann, K.; Fort, M.; Edgerton, E.; Budisulistiorini, S. H.; Rose, C. A.; Ribeiro, I. O.; Oliveira, R. L.; dos Santos, E. O.; Machado, C. M. D.; Szopa, S.; Zhao, Y.; Alves, E. G.; de Sa S.S.; Hu, W.; Knipping, E. M.; Shaw, S. L.; Duvoisin Junior, S.; de Souza, R. A. F.; Jimenez, J. L.; Glasius, M.; Goldstein, A. H.; Pye, H. O. T.; Gold, A.; Turpin, B. J.; Vizuete, W.; Martin, S. T.; Thornton, J. A.; Dutcher, C. S.; Ault, A. P.; Surratt, J. D. Increasing Isoprene Epoxydiol-to-Inorganic Sulfate Aerosol (IEPOX:Sulfinorg) Ratio Results in Extensive Conversion of Inorganic Sulfate to Organosulfur Forms: Implications for Aerosol Physicochemical Properties, Environmental Science and Technology, 2019, 53(15), 8682-8694.