Letter from the 2024 Conference Chair

Dear Colleagues,

We’re preparing for the 42nd Annual AAAR Conference, scheduled for October 21-25, 2024 at the Albuquerque Convention Center in Albuquerque, NM. Our Conference and Technical Program Committees are curating an exceptional program with a diverse array of events.

I’m excited to update you on our progress and share our plans with you.

This year at AAAR, we are privileged to feature four exceptional Plenary Speakers who will cover a wide range of topics. Visit the website to read abstracts for these plenaries and to learn more about each speaker.

• “Wash Day: Supporting Air Justice”-Dr. Shirley Malcom, Senior Advisor & Director, SEA Change, AAAS
• “Atmospheres and Aerosols of Other Worlds”- James Cutts Ph.D. Program Manager, Planetary Sciences Directorate, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
• “Don’t Hold Your Breath! Tissue Chips and Other In Vitro Models for Studies of Inhalation Toxicology”- Ivan Rusyn, Professor, Texas A&M University
• “A Perspective on Bioaerosol Research: Interdisciplinary Bridges Connecting Pollen, Pandemics, and Precipitation”- Alex Huffman Ph.D., Professor, Denver University

Thus far, we have received 602 abstracts in total, with approximately 129 of them submitted for the five Special Symposia:

• Bioaerosols in Agriculture: Sources, Risks and Mitigation (Chairs: Caroline Duchaine & Stéphane Godbout)
• Chemicals of Emerging Concern in Aerosol: Sources, Transformations, and Impacts (Chairs: Douglas Collins and Jenna Ditto)
• Planetary Aerosols: From Earth to Exoplanets (Chairs: Eleanor Browne and Melissa Trainer)
• Indoor Air Purification Technologies, Best Practices, and their Health Impacts (Chair: Bo Yang)
• Coast to Coast Campaigns on Aerosols, Clouds, Chemistry, and Air Quality (Chairs: Lynn Russell and Drew Gentner)

Please consider signing up for one of our many Tutorials this year, including new topics like “Aerosol-Based Synthesis of Functional Materials for Various Applications”, “Mitigating Bioaerosol Spread Through Computational Fluid Dynamics” and “Proposal Writing”, alongside classic sessions such as “Introduction to Aerosols 1 and 2”, and “Hands-On Instrumentation”.

This year, we will once more host the Exhibitor and Instrument Application Showcase with the aim of fostering interaction among exhibitors and attendees. The showcase provides valuable opportunities for practical education and exchange, centered on real-world measurement applications and challenges.

Throughout the week, the conference will feature a variety of events, such as a panel discussion on Monday evening titled “Community Engaged Research and the Empowerment of Disadvantaged Communities and their Scholars” along with “Geeks Who Drink Trivia”, a Fun Run scheduled for Wednesday morning, and an exclusive visit on Wednesday evening to the Nuclear Museum of Science and History hosted by Sandia National Laboratory and Los Alamos National Laboratory. For more details on these and other events taking place during the conference week, please visit the Conference Events website. Please make sure to register for these special events during registration.

Registration for the Conference opened officially in June. During registration, you can enroll in Tutorials, the Geeks Who Drink Trivia Quiz, and the Nuclear Museum Visit. Non-students can also volunteer to judge our Student Poster and Oral Platform Competitions. Remember, the Early Bird Registration deadline is July 31st.

The conference will take place in Albuquerque, New Mexico, a city known for its enchanting charm. Our conference hotels, the DoubleTree by Hilton and The Clyde Hotel, are conveniently situated across the street from the convention center and just a short drive from the regional international airport. When visiting Albuquerque, NM, explore historic Old Town for its adobe architecture and cultural charm. Take a scenic tram ride on the Sandia Peak Tramway for breathtaking views and indulge in the city’s renowned New Mexican cuisine featuring dishes like green and red chile and authentic tamales. Whether you’re into history, outdoor adventures, or culinary delights, Albuquerque offers a vibrant mix of attractions to discover.

Please visit the AAAR 2024 Conference Website for ongoing conference updates and the development of the technical program. For questions about your abstract, please contact support@AAARabstracts.com. For inquiries regarding Registration and Membership, email info@aaar.org. Feel free to reach out to me directly at sar414@miami.edu with any questions about the technical program.

See you in October!

Sincerely,
Shanna Ratnesar-Shumate, Ph.D.
2024 AAAR Conference Chair