Science & Technology

USU Engineering Professor Named Person of the Year by Utah Clean Air Partnership

By Sydney Dahle |

Utah State University Professor and air quality expert Randy Martin was named Person of the Year at the Utah Clean Air Partnership Summit for his work and achievements dedicated to improving Utah's air quality.

Utah State University professor and air quality expert Randy Martin was named Person of the Year at the Utah Clean Air Partnership Summit this past month, recognizing his work and achievements dedicated to improving Utah’s air quality.

Martin has taught at USU since 2000. His work mainly focuses on air pollutant research, including the formation of ammonia-based PM2.5 and emissions from vehicles and agriculture. In 2021, Martin contributed to the Report to the Governor on Utah’s Land, Water and Air to provide policymakers in Utah with information to support strategies for sustainable growth and wellbeing in the state. He also serves on the Utah Air Quality Board.

His contributions to the chapter on air concerned efforts to reduce PM2.5, which he has investigated since the mid-2000s. Levels are tested a few years apart to see what makes up more of PM2.5, ammonia from agriculture or nitric acid from automobiles. The Utah Department of Environmental Quality reports that ammonium nitrate is responsible for 70 percent or more of PM2.5 in Cache Valley during an inversion.

This year’s theme for the UCAIR Summit centered around the spirit of the Olympics, following Utah’s 2034 bid. Speakers included Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, Fraser Bullock, president and CEO of the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games, and several renowned Olympics medalists and champions. The summit is an opportunity to highlight everyday actions that can make a difference in improving air quality, such as steps Utahns can take to reduce summer ozone.

“The Olympic spirit involves values of unity, excellence, and perseverance — all qualities that resonate deeply with UCAIR’s mission to improve Utah’s air,” said newly-appointed UCAIR Executive Director Lindsie Smith. “UCAIR is honored to recognize these individuals and organizations in our community who are showing commitment toward cleaning the air, whether that's by reducing emissions, educating the public or creating behavior change.”

Also recognized was Dominion Energy as the UCAIR Business Partner of the Year and Community Partner of the Year Utah Office of Energy Development.

UCAIR is a statewide clean air partnership created to make it easier for individuals, businesses and communities to make small changes to improve Utah’s air. Every small change adds to a collective bigger step toward better health, a better economy and better overall quality of life for Utahns.

Martin has taught at USU since 2000. His work mainly focuses on air pollutant research, including the formation of ammonia-based PM2.5 and pollutants emissions from vehicles and agriculture.

WRITER

Sydney Dahle
Multimedia Specialist
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
435-797-2985
sydney.dahle@usu.edu

CONTACT

Randy Martin
Associate Research Professor
Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
435-797-1585
randy.martin@usu.edu


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Engineering 364stories Faculty 359stories Air Quality 58stories

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