Our research group studies the energy and trace species that pass through Earth's atmosphere. We model the microphysics of trace gas, aerosol, cloud, and surface interactions with Earth's radiative, thermodynamic, and chemical budgets. We then (often) parameterize these effects in climate models. The model simulations, combined with lab, field, and satellite data, help us attribute alteration of Earth's climate and composition to specific processes. Our current research includes mineral dust, meteoric, and carbonaceous aerosols, snow lifecycle and albedo, aerosol impacts on ocean biogeochemistry, wind-driven surface energy/mass exchange, climate-disease links, and terascale data analysis. Our aerosol generation, radiative transfer, and data processing models are freely available and are used in geoscience research institutions world-wide.

Current and Recent Research: Dr. Zender's recent research focuses on aerosol-climate interactions. He works to understand and predict wind erosion (including soil loss); mineral and nutrient re-distribution by dust; chemical, radiative, and health effects of dust; and the fundamental physics of natural aerosol mobilization, dispersal, and deposition; and snowpack, a sensitive and efficacious modulator of Earth's climate. Others consider him a modeler, though he can swear like an observationalist. He wants to participate in field experiments. Invite him and see.