Ryan Sullivan is a founder of Sudoc and advises the company on research and development into new applications of TAML catalysts. In particular, he is inventing new chemistries for water purification and disinfection and is using his expertise in the chemistry of atmospheric aerosol particles to harness the unique chemical activity of aerosolized microdroplets for deploying TAML-catalyzed oxidation.

Ryan is an environmental chemist with the position of Associate Professor at Carnegie Mellon University, with a joint appointment in the Departments of Chemistry and Mechanical Engineering, and a courtesy appointment in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. He is also a faculty member in the Center for Atmospheric Particle Studies, and the Associate Director of CMU’s Institute for Green Science that is directed by SUDOC creator Terry Collins.

Ryan’s research focuses on understanding the chemistry of complex environmental systems, the transformations that chemical contaminants experience in the environment, and how this alters their impacts on human and ecosystem health. He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in environmental systems science, atmospheric chemistry, instrumental analysis, aerosol measurement technology, and environmental chemistry. He also develops educational modules to help public school educators teach K-12 students about the fascinating and important world of environmental science.

Ryan has deep expertise in investigating the sources and chemical evolution of atmospheric aerosol particles, and how this evolution in turn alters the particle’s ability to nucleate clouds and thus alter climate. More recently he has returned to studying persistent chemical contaminants such as the per/polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) that contaminate most drinking water supplies; Ryan did research on PFAS with Scott Mabury at the University of Toronto starting back in 2000, very early in the days of our understanding of the threat these emerging “forever” molecules pose to environmental health.

Ryan’s research group at CMU develops analytical techniques for real-time analysis of individual aerosol particle composition used in his research. These include laser ablation single-particle mass spectrometry, aerosol optical tweezers, and microfluidic lab-on-a-chip approaches. The multi-phase chemical evolution of biomass burning aerosol from wood smoke is a major current focus. Ongoing experimental investigations include the alteration of the ice nucleation properties of smoke particles induced by chemical aging; and the activation of photo-labile chlorinated gases from heterogeneous reactions of nitrogen oxides with chloride salts emitted in the smoke. He has recently launched new initiatives to develop and rigorously evaluate advanced oxidation methods for the biosafe removal of micropollutants from wastewater, such as using TAML catalytic activators.

Ryan obtained his Hon.B.Sc. in chemistry and environmental science from the University of Toronto, and his M.Sc. and Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of California, San Diego. Before moving to Carnegie Mellon University in 2012 he completed his postdoctoral research in atmospheric chemistry at Colorado State University. Ryan is the recipient of a Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award from the National Science Foundation, the National Academy of Science’s Cozzarelli Prize, and the Environment Award from the Carnegie Science Center.

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