Dr Kathryn Emmerson

Principal Research Scientist

https://people.csiro.au/E/K/Kathryn-Emmerson

Biography

Kathryn’s research expertise lies in modelling atmospheric chemistry. She gained a PhD in atmospheric chemical modelling from Lancaster University in the UK, specialising in the gas to particle partitioning of organic hydrocarbons. She has experience developing chemical models of all scales – box models, regional and global models. She did a postdoc modelling radical formation chemistry at the University of York, before implementing a stratospheric sulfur scheme to the UK chemistry and aerosol (UKCA) model at Leeds University. She moved to Australia in 2011 to take up an air quality modelling position at CSIRO.

Kathryn is now a leader in the field of Australian biogenic emissions modelling. She developed the Australian version of the Model of Emissions of Gases and Aerosols from Nature (MEGAN), suited to the high biogenic emissions from Eucalyptus trees. Given their high ozone forming potential, she is studying how these biogenic emissions will increase in a warming climate. Kathryn also led the development of the Victorian grass pollen prediction system which assists the government in assessing thunderstorm asthma risk. She is a lead author of Australia’s federal “State of the Environment” report, and is a spokesperson for Australian air quality issues.

Professional Areas

Current Roles

Principal Research Scientist
Air quality modelling

Academic Qualifications

1997

Bsc (Hons) Environmental Science
Lancaster University, UK
2002

PhD Atmospheric Chemical Modelling
Lancaster University, UK

Professional Experiences

2011-2020

Senior Research Scientist
CSIRO
2006-2011

Postdoctoral Researcher
University of Leeds
2003-2006

Postdoctoral Researcher
University of York

Other highlights

2024-2024

Invited speaker at the Gordon Research Conference on biogenic hydrocarbons and the atmosphere, Barcelona, Spain
2016-2020

Kathryn spearheaded the Characterizing the Organics and Aerosol Loading of Australia (COALA) project. COALA brought international researchers from the UK, USA and Japan to Australia participate in forest fieldwork to measure volatile emissions from Eucalyptus trees.
2019-2020

Visiting scientist at the Bureau of Meteorology, Australia
2017-2020

Developed first Australian atmospheric emission and dispersion model for grass pollen
2018-2018

Invited speaker at International Global Atmospheric Chemistry conference in Japan.
2016-2016

Lead author of 2016 State of the Environment: Atmosphere chapter.
2016-2016

Visiting scientist at NCAR, Colorado, USA

Community and Corporate Citizenship

2021-present

Editorial board. Frontiers in Allergy: Environmental Determinants
2018-present

Editorial board. Frontiers in Forests and Global Change: Atmosphere
2017-present

Leader of the Aspendale Women's Network
2016-present

Consultative Committee representative at Aspendale
2017-2019

Reward Review Committee