Understanding Climatic Processes
Considered one of the top scholars and researchers in the College of Science and Mathematics, Dr. Jeffrey S. Gaffney is internationally known for his work in the area of environmental and atmospheric chemistry. His work focuses on a number of areas, including climate change, air quality, and how organics and aerosols can be traced in the environment.
“Jeff’s work has had major impacts on our understanding of atmospheric processes that are key to understanding air pollution on a local to global scale,” said Barbara Finlayson-Pitts of the University of California, Irvine.
When Arkansas was asked to send a delegate to the Southeast U.S. National Assessment of Climate Change Impacts, the director of the Arkansas Science and Technology Authority suggested the governor’s office send Gaffney.
Letters of endorsement for Gaffney’s nomination came from scientists from the University of Chicago, the U.S. Department of Energy, and UA Little Rock’s own Mary L. Good, founding dean of the Donaghey College of Engineering and Information Technology.
“He is clearly a world leader in the area of atmospheric aerosols … with respect to climate change,” Good said.
Since arriving at UA Little Rock, Gaffney and his research group have received grants totaling more than $980,000 from the Department of Energy and Oak Ridge Associated Universities Subcontract.
While his Science Laboratory rooftop atmospheric observatory collects data on carbonaeous soots, Gaffney is collaborating with Dr. Alex Biris, UA Little Rock’s Sturgis Endowed Chair of Nanosciences, on a new initiative – an international collaboration investigating applications of novel nanotechnology approaches to mitigate environmental problems.
Gaffney came to UA Little Rock in 2006. He earned B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in chemistry at the University of California, Riverside in 1971, 1973, and 1975.