Grassian, Vicki
Chemistry of environmental interfaces: atmospheric aerosols, aqueous microdroplets; engineered and geochemical nanomaterials, indoor surfaces

Contact Information
Distinguished Professor
Distinguished Chair in Physical Chemistry
Co-Director, Center for Aerosol Impacts on Chemistry of the Environment
Associate Dean for Research, School of Physical Sciences

Office: Urey Hall Addn 3050C
Phone: 858-534-2499
Email: vhgrassian@ucsd.edu
Web: https://sites.google.com/ucsd.edu/grassiangroup/
Group: View group members
Accepting Rotation Students: Yes
Education
1987 PhD, Chemistry, University of California Berkeley
1982 MS, Chemistry, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
1981 BS, Chemistry, State University of New York at Albany
Appointments
2024 - present Associate Dean for Research, School of Physical Sciences
2019 - 2022 Chair, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California San Diego
2018 - 2019 Executive Associate Dean, University of California San Diego
2016 - present Distinguished Professor, University of California San Diego
2016 - present Distinguished Chair in Physical Chemistry, University of California San Diego
2016 - 2018 Associate Dean, Division of Physical Sciences, University of California San Diego
2016 - 2018 Adjunct Professor, University of Iowa
2013 - present Co-Director, Center for Aerosol Impacts on Climate, University of California San Diego
2010 to 2015 F. Wendell Miller Professor, Departments of Chemi, University of Iowa
2010 to 2012 Dean’s Administrative Fellow, College of Liberal A, University of Iowa
2008 to 2015 Director, Nanotoxicology Research Core, Environmen, University of Iowa
2007 to 2012 Associate Director and Key Function Co-Director, I, University of Iowa
2006 to 2015 Director, Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Institute, University of Iowa
2002 to 2015 Full Professor in the Departments of Chemistry, Ch, University of Iowa
1996-2002 Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, University of Iowa
1990-1996 Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, University of Iowa
Awards and Academic Honors
2024
Pittsburgh Spectroscopy Award
2023
ACS Geochemistry Division Medal and Symposium
2022
Sustainable Nanotechnology Organization “Tribute to Vicki Grassian” Session
2021
NSF Distinguished Lecturer in Mathematical and Physical Sciences
2021
American Chemical Society National Award in Surface Chemistry
2020
Sustainable Nanotechnology Organization Award
2020
Iota Sigma Pi National Honorary Member
2020
American Academy of Arts and Sciences
2019
William H. Nichols Medal, New York Section of the American Chemical Society
2019
Presidential Plenary Lecturer, ACS National Meeting
2019
IUPAC Distinguished Women in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering Awardee
2019
Inclusive Excellence Award, UC San Diego
2019
ACS National Meeting, “Surfaces & Interfaces in the Environment: Symposium in Honor of Vicki Grassian”
2018
American Institute of Chemists Chemical Pioneer Award
2018
ACS-CEI Award for Incorporation of Sustainability into Chemistry Education
2015
Chartered Chemist – Royal Society of Chemistry
2014
UI Scholar of the Year Award, Office of VP for Research & Economic Development
2014
Royal Society of Chemistry John Jeyes Award
2014
Midwest American Chemical Society Award
2012
American Chemical Society National Award for Creative Advances in Environmental Science and Technology
2011
Fellow, American Chemical Society
2010
Fellow, Royal Society of Chemistry
2010
Fellow, AVS – a Society for the Science and Technology of Materials, Interfaces and Processing
2008
Graduate College Outstanding Mentor Award, University of Iowa
2007
Collegiate Fellow – College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Iowa
2006
Regents Award for Faculty Excellence, University of Iowa
2005
Fellow, American Association of the Advancement of Science
2004
James Van Allen Natural Sciences Faculty Fellowship, University of Iowa
2002
Distinguished Achievement Award, University of Iowa
1996
E. I. duPont de Nemours & Company Educational Award
1993
Career Advancement Award - National Science Foundation
1992
GE Foundation Faculty Fellowship
1986
Association for Women in Science-Educational Award
Research Interests
Chemistry and impacts of environmental interfaces: atmospheric aerosols, aqueous microdroplets; engineered and geochemical nanomaterials; and indoor surfaces.
Primary Research Area
Physical/Analytical Chemistry
Interdisciplinary interests
Atmospheric and Environmental
Materials

Outreach Activities
Professor Grassian and her group are involved in a range of activities related to teaching and outreach. Mentoring and training the next generation of future scientist are important activities to all group members. Research focus areas of the Grassian group (environment, climate, health, nanoscience) are of broad interest to a variety of active learners that includes elementary school/middle school/junior high school students and their parents, high school students and retirees. Grassian group members have opportunities to give talks, interact, demonstrate and teach about their research and its benefits to society.
Image Gallery


Particles in the atmosphere provide reactive surfaces for adsorption as well as for chemical and photochemical reactions.

The Grassian research group collaborates with chemists and other scientists in the Center for Aerosol Impacts on Chemistry and Climate (CAICE) to study the chemistry of sea spray aerosol. CAICE is a Chemical Center of Innovation funded by NSF.


Fe nanoparticles, such as goethite, alpha-FeOOH, nanorods, show unique reactivity with atmospheric water vapor and reactive gases (e.g. nitric acid) compared to microrods. Studies of nanoscale reactivity in environmental and human health processes are currently being investigated.

Selected Publications