Welcome to the Pratt Lab blog! Dr. Kerri Pratt is an assistant professor in the Departments of Chemistry and Earth & Environmental Sciences and faculty associate of the Program in the Environment at the University of Michigan. We study the chemical interactions of atmospheric trace gases, particles, clouds, and snow, with a focus on the Polar Regions and wintertime environments. Our interdisciplinary research has relevance to climate change, air quality, and human health. As an analytical chemistry lab, we primarily apply novel mass spectrometry techniques to our field research. We invite you to follow our adventures in (and outside!) the lab!

Monday, February 6, 2017

Welcome Natasha!

Welcome Natasha Garner! Natasha is a third-year PhD student in Prof. Hans Osthoff's group at the University of Calgary. She is visiting for two months to learn about Arctic halogen chemistry and participate in analysis and interpretation of our gigantic chemical ionization mass spectrometry dataset from Utqiaġvik, Alaska in spring 2016!

Sunday, February 5, 2017

Pratt/Ault Lab Weekend Getaway at UMBS

Pratt and Ault lab members took a weekend away from the lab to get out and explore the beautiful University of Michigan Biological Station (UMBS) during the winter. There was plenty of snow for skiing and snowshoeing during the day. We also took a trip across the Mackinac Bridge to the Upper Peninsula for lunch and to get a view of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. In the cabin there was a wonderful fireplace to keep us warm while we exercised our creative skills by putting together puzzles and playing Trivial Pursuit. It was nice to spend some time outside and to relax with fellow group members!
A view of the cabins
Rachel on skis
Katie jumping on the frozen lake
Kerri teaching Oskar how to ski
Puzzling
Stephen made a fire to keep us all warm - perhaps in the future we can study biomass burning aerosols here!
Ryan on the edge of Lake Huron
Matt copying Ryan