UAF graduate to study atmosphere with NASA aircraft

June 7, 2018

Photo by Meghan Murphy. As a University of Alaska Fairbanks undergraduate researcher in a chemistry lab, Kiersten Johnson helped study the health effects of air pollution by examining the water soluble aerosol metals in the Fairbanks air. She'll intern in summer 2018 with the NASA Student Airborne Research Program.

By Meghan Murphy

Kiersten Johnson isn’t afraid of reaching new heights.

The newly minted University of Alaska Fairbanks alumna will elevate her learning of atmospheric science with a prestigious internship aboard a NASA research aircraft.

After considering hundreds of applicants, NASA selected Johnson to be one of 28 interns with the NASA Student Airborne Research Program based in southern California. Johnson recently earned her degree in chemistry.

The interns will study the Earth’s lands, oceans and atmosphere through scientific instruments aboard NASA’s DC-8 aircraft. They will also look at satellite and ground-based data as they pursue individual projects focused on all the data collected.

“I’m excited to learn about what goes into setting up an aircraft for sampling and the processes that follow for sample analysis and presentation,” she said. “My long-term plan is to stay in Alaska, so I hope I can learn how to apply some aspects of the program to help improve sampling, education or analysis for Alaska.”

Johnson, who is from Palmer, Alaska, said the internship won’t just push her to new heights — it will also push her to new locations.

“I’m really excited to go and meet students from across the United States and learn from all the of the people working with the program,” she said. “However, it makes me pretty nervous to pick up and go to California for a couple months, as I’ve never lived outside of Alaska before.”

The internship will run June 17-Aug. 10.

Johnson said she learned about the internship from her mentor, chemistry professor Jingqiu Mao of UAF’s College of Natural Science and Mathematics and Geophysical Institute. He studies how human activities influence the global atmosphere.

Photo courtesy of Jingqiu Mao. Kiersten Johnson's mentor, UAF chemistry professor Jingqiu Mao, prepares to sample the Arctic air in a NASA DC-8 aircraft.

“I have been flying on NASA DC-8 aircraft over past 15 years and know this is the best research experience that one can dream of,” he said.

Johnson has worked in Mao’s lab as an undergraduate researcher for the past two semesters. She helped study the health effects of air pollution by examining the water soluble aerosol metals in the Fairbanks air.

As part of the research, she has learned how to take air samples and analyze data — but all from the ground.

Mao said the internship will give Johnson a new perspective on atmospheric research and on how she can develop as both a scientist and a leader.

“This experience helps students learn about a wide range of research topics relevant to climate change and help them to develop a vision for earth system research in the next several decades,” he said. “Internships like this will train and educate the next generation of leaders in climate research like Kiersten.”

ADDITIONAL CONTACTS: Jingqiu Mao, jmao2@alaska.edu, 907-474-7118