Aaron van Donkelaar
Papers
3
Total Citations
86
H-Index
2
About
Aaron van Donkelaar is a leading figure in satellite-based atmospheric science, whose work has fundamentally advanced how we estimate ground-level air pollution from space. His primary research focuses on the retrieval and modeling of fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅) and mineral dust, using cutting-edge satellite instruments to bridge the gap between remote sensing and public health. Van Donkelaar’s most impactful contribution came from his pioneering use of aerosol optical depth (AOD) data from the Geostationary Ocean Color Imager (GOCI) to map PM₂.₅ concentrations across eastern China at an unprecedented 6 km resolution. This work, published in 2015 and garnering over 80 citations, demonstrated how geostationary satellites could capture the dynamic, high-resolution pollution patterns critical for exposure assessment. More recently, he has tackled the complex challenge of improving mineral dust representation in global models like GEOS-Chem, aiming to refine emission schemes and size distributions for better climate and air quality predictions. With a career defined by translating satellite observations into actionable environmental data, van Donkelaar’s research continues to shape our understanding of aerosol impacts on health and climate.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
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