Emily Mae Christianson
University of Michigan
Air Quality Laboratory
109 South Observatory Drive
SPH Tower, Suite 6645
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029
Phone: 734.223.5076
Fax: 734.936.7283
E-mail: emwhite@umich.edu
Education:
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Doctoral Candidacy, Atmospheric Science
Expected Graduation Date: December 2008
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Masters in Science, Atmospheric Science
Graduation Date: April 2005
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Bachelors in Science, Atmospheric Science - Meteorology
Graduation Date: December 2003
Professional Experience:
University of Michigan Air Quality Laboratory
Research Assistant/PhD Candidate
September 2005-Present
My PhD work focuses primarily on source attribution of mercury in wet deposition.
Recent work has demonstrated elevated levels of wet deposited mercury in the Ohio
River Valley, an area with numerous local sources. I designed and conducted an
intensive study from July to November 2006 to help determine the locality of the Hg
inclusion and the potential impact of local sources via source receptor relationships using
a network of sites surrounding the primary Steubenville site. I also worked on the design
and deployment of a novel precipitation sampler to sequentially split a rain storm, and I
designed a methodology to divide soluble and insoluble Hg fraction in real-time during a
rain event. My other field responsibilities for the Air Quality Laboratory include dry
deposition sampling, dew collection, ambient gas and particulate matter instrumentation.
I have extensive experience maintaining and repairing Tekran Hg analyzers, auditing and
calibrating dichotomous PM2.5 samplers, various gas analyzers and precipitation
collection systems. I also play a central role in exposure studies in Ann Arbor, Michigan,
Detroit, Michigan and Steubenville, Ohio. Along with my extensive field work
experience, I am trained in chemical analysis of air and water samples for ions, trace
metals and Hg in an ultra-clean Class 100 clean room environment using IC, ICP-MS and
CVAFS, respectively. Much of my research involves studying long-term data sets of
Emily Mae Christianson
individual precipitation events where I employ advanced geostatistical analysis to
determine variability in Hg in wet deposition due to regional sources. I am well trained
in multivariate statistical methods and trajectory analysis to evaluate sources of mercury
in event samples. Furthermore, I am proficient in MATLAB, SAS, UNMIX and PMF.
University of Michigan Air Quality Laboratory
Research Assistant/Masters Student
September 2003-September 2005
My masters work was aimed at wet deposition of mercury in the Great Lakes area and
long term trends there-in. This included the construction and statistical analysis of
complex 12 year event data sets. Additionally, I gained extensive field experience
through sample collection and the implementation of air sampling plans at network sites.
I assisted with regular instrumentation maintenance at the EPA enhanced mercury air
monitoring site in Steubenville, Ohio.I played a central role in several intensive
inhalation toxicology and air pollution characterization studies in Ann Arbor and Detroit,
Michigan (Summers ‘03, ‘04, ’05.)
University of Michigan Air Quality Laboratory
Laboratory Supervisor
June 2003-August 2003
As Laboratory Supervisor, I was in charge of temporary employee and undergraduate
training and supervision on laboratory tasks. These tasks included employing ultra-clean
techniques for cleaning and preparing air sampling equipment for mercury and trace
metal analysis, sample preservation and preparation, use of a highly sensitive microbalance for mass accumulation determination on filters, and equipment shipping.
Personal responsibilities included preparation of laboratory equipment and supplies for
field intensives and long-term precipitation and filter collection at permanent sites all
over the United States.
Publications
Keeler, G.J.; Landis, M.S.; Norris, G.A.; Christianson, E.M.; Dvonch, J.T. (2006)
Sources of mercury wet deposition in eastern Ohio, USA. Environ. Sci. Technol. 40,
5874-5881.
Awards
Distinguished Graduate Academic Achievement Award –Atmospheric Oceanic and
Space Science Engineering 2007
Thomas M. Donahue Award for Best Paper – Michigan Geophysical Union Meeting
2007
Emily Mae Christianson
Oral Presentations
Christianson, E.M.; Keeler, G.J. (May 2007) Wet Deposition Removal Processes of
Mercury in Eastern Ohio. Paper presented at The International Association of Great
Lakes Research conference, State College, PA.
Christianson, E.M.; Keeler, G.J.; Dvonch, J.T.; Marsik, F.M.; Barres, J.A.; Landis,
M.S.; Norris, G.A.(May 2006) Event Mercury Wet Deposition in the Ohio River Valley.
Paper presented at The International Association of Great Lakes Research conference,
Windsor, Ontario.
Keeler, G.J.; Christianson, E.M.; Barres, J.A.; Dvonch, J.T.; Landis, M.S.(October
2006) Development, Evaluation and Application of an Automated Even Precipitation
Sampler for Network Operation. Presented at the National Atmospheric Deposition
Program meeting on Effects of Deposition in Coastal and Urban Environments, Norfolk
VA.
Christianson, E.M.; Keeler, G.J.; Dvonch, J.T.; Taylor-Morgan, J. (May 2005) A
Decade of Observations of the Urban and Industrial Source Influences on Trends in Wet
Deposited Mercury In the Central Great Lakes Area. Paper presented at The International
Association of Great Lakes Research conference, Ann Arbor, MI.
Poster Presentations
Christianson, E.M.; Keeler, G.J.; Marsik, F.M.; Barres, J.A.; Dvonch, J.T.; Landis,
M.S.; Norris, G.A.; Slater, J. Mercury Wet Deposition to the Ohio River Valley. (May
2007) Paper presented at Michigan Geophysical Union meeting, Ann Arbor, MI.
Christianson, E.M.; Wet Deposition of Mercury in the Great Lakes: Sources and
Trends. (May 2006) Paper presented at Michigan Geophysical Union meeting, Ann
Arbor, MI.
Christianson, E.M.; Keeler, G.J.; Marsik, F.M.; Barres, J.A.; Dvonch, J.T.; Landis,
M.S.; Norris, G.A.; Slater, J. (2006 August) Mercury Wet Deposition in the Great Lakes
Region: Patterns, Trends and Sources. Paper presented at the 8th International
Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant, Madison, WI.
Activities/Memberships
Michigan Geophysical Union Student Chair during initial year of meeting (2004)
Michigan Geophysical Union Committee Member (2005)
Student Member American Meteorological Society
International Association of Great Lakes Researchers