Oklahoma State University assistant professor of chemistry Dr. Elijah Schnitzler recently received a National Science Foundation CAREER award for his project “Origin and Evolution of the Light Absorption of Biomass Burning Aerosol.” Schnitzler’s work centers around atmospheric aerosols, or suspensions of tiny nanoparticles in the air. His research aims to increase understanding of how atmospheric aerosols affect air quality and climate, which are “two major public health concerns in the U.S. and around the world,” he said.