Dr. Michael Bergin

Biography

Michael Howard Bergin is the Sternberg Family Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Duke University, where he specializes in the intersection of air pollution, climate, and human health. His research encompasses a wide range of studies on particulate matter (PM), focusing on its emission, formation, deposition, and impacts. Notably, Bergin is particularly interested in examining PM impacts on climate, specifically how it modifies the radiation balance in the atmosphere. He conducts research in both pristine regions such as Greenland and the Himalayas as well as hazy regions, including Southeastern China and India. A significant aspect of his work is studying the influence of PM on human health, with an emphasis on determining the relative contributions of sources such as biomass burning and vehicular emissions. Bergin is involved in developing and deploying next-generation air quality sensors to empower citizens to make informed decisions about the air quality they breathe, thereby contributing to cleaner air. His vision integrates a multidisciplinary and multicultural approach to research and education, uniting global researchers to collaboratively tackle air quality issues.

Research Interests

Experience