Graduate Students

Randall Jones

I’m a third-year graduate student in the department of Atmospheric Sciences. My research is focused on aerosol-cloud interactions, specifically enhancements from changes in aerosol type and quantity.

I received a B.S. in Atmospheric Sciences from The Ohio State University. In my free time, I enjoy playing sports, video games and making music.

Olivia Hakan

Olivia Hakan

Hi, I’m a third-year graduate student in the Chemistry department at The University of Washington.

I received my BS in Chemistry from The University of Vermont in 2020 and my MS in Applied Chemistry from The University of Washington in 2023. My research in the Thornton Group primarily focuses on long-term aerosol measurement, and as part of this, I have installed and maintained the ASCENT network field site at Cheeka Peak Observatory on the Olympic Peninsula. I am currently analyzing data from our four instruments, which measure speciated aerosols continuously and in real time. This includes wildfire, dust, ship traffic, and new particle formation events. Additionally, I assist our post-doc Christopher Kenseth in organic synthesis projects looking at alpha-pinene oxidation products.

In my free time, I love hiking and backpacking with my dog, playing the violin, going to concerts, and reading.

Chris Wright

Chris Wright ⚡

I’m a grad student studying how little particles change clouds and create electricity. I work on aerosol-cloud interactions, specifically the invigoration of deep clouds and lightning ⚡

I studied chemistry at Pomona College and grew up in Oakland, California.

James

James (Young Suk) Yoon 🌱

Hi there! I’m a third-year Ph.D. student in the Department of Atmospheric and Climate Science working with Profs. Joel Thornton and Alex Turner on detecting isoprene from remote sensing instruments. Before coming to UW, I received my B.S. in Chemistry from UCLA. Some of my previous work looked at satellite isoprene measurements and how they connect to plants via solar induced fluorescence.

In my free time, I enjoy creating & listening to music, and visiting coffeeshops (love flat whites).

Augie

Augie Dobrecevich

Hi, I’m Augie, a third year Chemistry Student in the PhD program at the University of Washington. I received a B.A. in Chemistry from Carroll College in Montana in 2021, volunteered for nine months in Eastern Kentucky with AmeriCorps with my spouse, Greta, and then started at UW in 2022.

My work focuses mostly on novel instrumentation platforms, leveraging high speed gas chromatographic techniques to enable the separation of key atmospheric analytes with selective and sensitive detection using chemical ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (CI-ToFMS).

I have gained a deep appreciation for instrument development including machining and electrical work during my time at UW. I have also become very interested in making GCCIMS technology very portable and with low power needs. In my free time I am often thinking about my instrument, much to my own and Greta’s chagrin, while working in my garden or cooking. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity that has been presented to me in working with these instruments and advisors.


Previous Graduate Students

Phil Rund

I’m a 5th year graduate student in the Atmospheric Sciences department here at the University of Washington. I came to UW after getting my B.S. in Physics at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) and have since gotten my M.S. in Atmospheric Science here.

My research in the Thornton group started with field measurements of biomass burning organic aerosols and general Secondary Organic Aerosol (SOA) formation. I am currently focused on halogen chemistry in the marine boundary layer which has also been fueled with field measurements where I’ve deployed our chemical ionization mass spectrometer (CIMS) to measure a suite of gas-phase species, with a particular focus on the bromine (Br) cycle.

Outside of research and work you can typically find me at a concert, on a paddleboard, in the mountains, or at one of the many breweries around Seattle!

Tianyi Xu 🐉

Hi, my name is Tianyi Xu. I’m a second-year Master student in the department of Chemistry at the UW. I received my B.A in chemistry from the University of Colorado, Boulder in 2023. So far, my research is focusing on indoor chemical reaction and behavior, specifically the formation of airborne chlorine-containing gases from commercial disinfectants.

In my free time, I like to read and write some fantasy stories and play video games.

Tianyi