Kelvin Bates is an atmospheric chemist who investigates the interactions between biogenic and anthropogenic emissions and their contributions to smog formation.

Kelvin earned his BS in chemistry and economics from Davidson College in 2012 and his PhD in chemistry from Caltech in 2017. During his graduate work, Kelvin used a combination of laboratory experiments, chemical transport modeling, and field measurements to study the gas-phase oxidation mechanisms of isoprene, a volatile hydrocarbon emitted by plants, and the ways in which isoprene can influence trace gas budgets, ozone formation, and organic aerosol production in the atmosphere.

As an Environmental Fellow, Kelvin continued this work with Professor Daniel Jacob of the Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences to incorporate a detailed mechanism of isoprene oxidation into GEOS-Chem, a global chemical transport model. Comparisons with ongoing field measurements will enable him to examine isoprene's effects on oxidant cycling on a global scale and provide insights into how isoprene oxidation affects our climate. Kelvin also collaborated with Professor Frank Keutsch (also of the Paulson School) to perform targeted experiments on the oxidation products of biogenic trace gases.

Faculty Host

Daniel Jacob and Frank N. Keutsch, Harvard Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences