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Welcome!

Welcome to the Vance Lab at the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder). The Vance Lab is led by Dr. Marina E. Vance, Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Associate Director for Graduate Education in the Environmental Engineering Program.

The Vance Lab conducts research in aerosol science, indoor air quality, air pollution, and exposure science. Our research focuses on the experimental measurement of the physical and chemical properties of aerosols—tiny solid particles and liquid droplets suspended in air—in both indoor and outdoor environments. We seek to understand how airborne particles are generated, transformed, transported, and removed, and how these processes influence human exposure, environmental quality, and public health.

Much of our work examines the connections between indoor and outdoor air, with a particular emphasis on particulate matter, including ultrafine particles or airborne nanoparticles. Because adverse health effects can occur even at low concentrations of particulate matter, our research aims to provide scientific evidence that supports healthier indoor environments and improved air quality.

Research Areas

Our research includes:

• Measuring aerosol emissions from everyday indoor and outdoor sources
• Investigating the physical and chemical transformations of airborne particles
• Developing, evaluating, and applying aerosol measurement methods and instrumentation
• Evaluating ventilation, filtration, and other indoor air cleaning technologies
• Studying human exposure to air pollutants and identifying strategies to reduce health risks
• Advancing experimental methods in aerosol science and environmental engineering

Our Mission

Our mission is to advance knowledge through rigorous experimental aerosol science while developing practical solutions for positive impact to human health and the environment.

Graduate Research Opportunities

Prof. Vance advises PhD and Master's students primarily in Mechanical Engineering and Environmental Engineering and mentors undergraduate students from all engineering disciplines. We welcome inquiries from prospective graduate students interested in aerosol science, indoor air quality, air pollution, environmental engineering, mechanical engineering, exposure science, or related fields.

If you are considering graduate school at CU Boulder and are interested in research that combines engineering, environmental science, and human health, we encourage you to explore our research and contact Prof. Vance to discuss potential opportunities.

Research Keywords

Aerosol science, aerosol engineering, indoor air quality, air pollution, particulate matter, PM2.5, ultrafine particles, airborne nanoparticles, aerosol measurement, aerosol instrumentation, experimental aerosol physics, exposure science, environmental engineering, mechanical engineering, environmental health, indoor environmental quality, ventilation, filtration, and air cleaning.

Connect

Follow Prof. Marina Vance on Bluesky 🦋, Instagram, YouTube, or LinkedIn to learn about our latest research, publications, and outreach activities.

Location

The Vance Lab is located in theSustainability, Energy, and Environment Complex (SEEC) on the CU Boulder East Campus.