Kathryn Cheng

Kathryn Cheng is a PhD Candidate co-advised by Professor Benjamin Bostick (Aqueous Geochemistry Lab) and Professor Daniel Westervelt (Aerosol Group). Kathryn is funded by the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada Postgraduate Fellowship and assesses the effects of aerosol composition on human health in the Global South. Kathryn uses a suite of methods, including field work, analytical chemistry, and computational methods to assess the chemical composition of aerosols and conduct air pollution source apportionment to assess in-situ toxicity of aerosols. She earned a B.S. in Earth Science from the University of Toronto in 2023. Kathryn's undergraduate research focussed on assessing the fate and transformation of atmospheric mercury using mercury stable isotopes.

As part of her pedagogical training, Kathryn has taught Environmental Chemistry courses through Columbia's Science Honours Program and has been involved with Columbia’s Center for Teaching and Learning as a Teaching Observation Fellow and Teaching Development Program Advanced Track student. Kathryn is passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM and science mentorship. Beyond her academic pursuits, Kathryn plays tennis and the violin.