The Modesto Area Partners in Science (MAPS) is offering a presentation on “Agriculture is a Major Source of Nitrogen Oxide Pollution in California” by Ian C. Faloona, Ph.D., on Friday, Jan. 25, at 7:30 p.m. in Sierra Hall 132 on Modesto Junior College’s West Campus, 2201 Blue Gum Ave., Modesto. Both the program and parking are free.

Faloona is an associate professor and bio-micrometeorologist in the Department of Land, Air, & Water Resources at the University of California, Davis. His biogeochemical meteorology research group investigates how trace gas emissions in marine and terrestrial boundary layers mix, disperse, and ultimately influence the Earth’s climate.

Faloona studied chemistry at University of California, Santa Cruz where he was interested in quantum mechanics and molecular dynamics. He was introduced to scientific research through two summers spent in the ‘detonation theory and applications’ group at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico. He then spent four years in Colorado working as an environmental consultant, measuring smoke stack emissions and operating computer models. He obtained a Ph.D. in meteorology from Pennsylvania State University, studying atmospheric photochemistry from airplanes and towers.

Back in Colorado as a postdoctoral researcher at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Faloona made more measurements from aircraft, probing marine clouds and turbulent mixing, prior to joining the faculty at UC Davis.

This MAPS event is intended for ages 12 years and older. MAPS programs are made possible by contributions from Modesto Junior College, Associated Students of MJC, MJC Foundation, Great Valley Museum, Stanislaus County Office of Education and Modesto Teachers Association.

For more information about the MAPS program visit the website http://maps.events.mjc.edu/, or the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Modesto-Area-Partners-in-Science/244618054801.