AirUCI, the atmospheric chemistry research institute at UC Irvine, will hold its third annual Community Day. Through lectures, demonstrations and lab tours, attendees will learn about cutting-edge atmospheric chemistry research and how it relates to air quality and global climate change. This event is designed for members of the public who may not have a science background, but have an interest in atmospheric issues.

WHEN:
8 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday, March 29

WHERE:
Natural Sciences II, UCI campus. Registration will take place in the lobby.
Map: www.uci.edu/campusmap.

INFORMATION:
Free and open to the public, but reservations are required. Lunch will be provided.
To make a reservation, contact Melissa Sweet at 949-824-2628 or msweet@uci.edu. Reporters planning to attend should contact Jennifer Fitzenberger at 949-824-3969 or jfitzen@uci.edu before the event.

BACKGROUND:
AirUCI -- Atmospheric Integrated Research for Understanding Chemistry at Interfaces -- explores atmospheric issues, including air pollution and climate change. Funded by the National Science Foundation, AirUCI places an emphasis on problems relevant not only to California but to the United States and beyond. AirUCI scientists study topics ranging from indoor air purifiers to the effects of sea salt on urban smog formation. They work closely with the California Air Resources Board and collaborate with researchers around the globe.

AirUCI began as a chemistry research group in 2002. In 2004, with NSF funding, it became an Environmental Molecular Sciences Institute headed by chemistry professor Barbara Finlayson-Pitts. Members include Donald Dabdub, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering; R. Benny Gerber, chemistry professor; John Hemminger, chemistry professor and dean of the School of Physical Sciences; Sergey Nizkorodov, assistant professor of chemistry; and Doug Tobias, associate professor of chemistry.

For more information on AirUCI, visit http://www.chem.uci.edu/airuci/Index.htm.