Welcome!

Dear Colleagues,

On behalf of the Conference and Technical Program Committees, it is my great pleasure to invite you to the AAAR 42nd Annual Conference, scheduled for October 21-25, 2024, at the Albuquerque Convention Center in beautiful Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Every year the AAAR annual conference provides us with an opportunity to showcase our latest research in aerosol science and technology and to connect with friends and colleagues throughout the event.

This year we have an exciting and diverse array of Plenary Lectures, Special Symposia, Poster Sessions, Oral Platform Sessions, Tutorials, and Special Events that will take place from Monday through Friday. Our Tutorial Chairs, Xuan Zhang and Sarah Petters, have curated a collection of 16 Tutorials covering a diverse range of aerosol science topics, incorporating both new subjects, such as Grant Writing, and established favorites. The mornings of Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday will kick off the conference with 8AM Plenary Lectures and conclude with our Friday Plenary Lecture. Our current lineup of brilliant speakers this year include James Cutts (Jet Propulsion Laboratory), Ivan Rusyn (Texas A&M University), Alex Huffman (University of Denver), and Shirley Malcom (American Association for the Advancement of Science)

The technical program will showcase parallel Platform and Poster Sessions thoughtfully curated by our 20 Working Group Chairs and Vice Chairs. We are organizing 5 Special Symposia aimed at fostering cross-disciplinary interaction and bridging multiple areas. These sessions will focus on the following topics:

1. Bioaerosols in Agriculture: Sources, Risks and Mitigation (Chairs: Caroline Duchaine & Stéphane Godbout)

2. Chemicals of Emerging Concern in Aerosol: Sources, Transformations, and Impacts (Chairs: Douglas Collins and Jenna Ditto)

3. Planetary Aerosols: From Earth to Exoplanets (Chairs: Eleanor Browne and Melissa Trainer)

4. Indoor Air Purification Technologies, Best Practices, and their Health Impacts (Chair: Bo Yang)

5. Coast to Coast Campaigns on Aerosols, Clouds, Chemistry, and Air Quality (Chairs: Lynn Russell and Drew Gentner)

Raghu Betha and Shannon Capps from the Education Committee are organizing the two Student Presentation Competitions this year, featuring both Poster and Oral Platform Competitions. We hope many of you will consider volunteering to be Judges for both competitions when registration opens. We look forward to your participation in supporting the next generation of scholars!

The Exhibit Hall, accessible from Tuesday to Thursday, offers a chance to engage with and learn from leading companies providing instrumentation and services in aerosol science and technology. We will once again host the Exhibitor and Instrument Application Showcase, aka ‘Scientists doing Experiments drinking Coffee’ featuring a platform session area within the Exhibit Hall. This provides opportunities for practical education and exchange, focusing on real measurement applications and challenges. It's an enjoyable and educational means to encourage interaction between exhibitors and attendees.

The Exhibit Hall will also host our Welcome Reception and the Meet the Job Seekers Poster Session on Tuesday evening. This session allows job seekers to present their background and expertise to potential employers in academia, government, and industry, and provides employers with the opportunity to meet job seekers.

We are planning for a Monday evening program and activities focusing on the topic of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the field of aerosol science (more details to follow).

Additional events and programs to be offered during the Conference include:

● Early Career Event

● Representation and Equity Affairs Program

● Fine Particle Art and Video Competition

● Mentoring Program

● Geeks Who Drink Trivia

● Fun Run and more!

There will be opportunities for Travel Grants (for US and International participants), Student Assistants and Social Media Ambassadors. The Calls for Travel Grant, Student Assistant, and Social Media Ambassador Applications are anticipated to open in May following the abstract submission deadline.

The conference venue is in the enchanting city of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The conference hotels are the Double Tree by Hilton and The Clyde Hotel, both located across the street from the convention center and just a short drive from the regional international airport. While attending the conference, consider visiting the historic Old Town, where adobe structures and cobblestone streets echo the city's rich heritage. Take a breathtaking ride on the Sandia Peak Tramway for panoramic views of the Rio Grande Valley and beyond. Make sure to indulge your taste buds in the vibrant world of New Mexican cuisine, renowned for its unique flavors and spicy delights. From green and red chile dishes to savory sopapillas and authentic tamales, the city is a haven for culinary adventurers.

We look forward to welcoming you in October to the 42nd Annual Conference of the American Association for Aerosol Research!

Sincerely,

Shanna Ratnesar-Shumate

2024 Conference Chair