Dr. Richard Flagan

Biography

Richard C. Flagan is the Irma Ross McCollum-William H. Corcoran Professor of Chemical Engineering at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). His academic journey began with a B.S.E. from the University of Michigan in 1969, followed by an S.M. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1971, and a Ph.D. in 1973. He has held various academic positions at Caltech, beginning as an Assistant Professor in Environmental Engineering Science from 1975 to 1981, and advancing through the ranks to his current professorship starting in 2004. His research is primarily focused on aerosols and atmospheric chemistry physics. He has made significant contributions to understanding how aerosols influence climate change, including the effects of anthropogenic sources and natural processes on aerosol burden. Flagan's work includes advancements in aerosol measurement techniques and the study of secondary organic aerosols, with a focus on their role in atmospheric processes and their implications for climate change. He has led efforts to enhance data collection on atmospheric aerosol, utilizing both laboratory and field measurements to improve the understanding of these critical particles. In addition to his research, Flagan is involved in teaching courses that introduce computational methods and aerosol physics to students in the field of chemical engineering.

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Experience

Courses