Biography

Dr. Sarah Styler (she/her) joined McMaster in Summer 2020, after an early-pandemic cross-country drive from her former academic institution, the University of Alberta. Sarah leads the P.A.R.T.I.C.L.E.S. (pesticides, art, road dust, traffic, interdisciplinary, combustion, light, equity, surfaces) research group, which focuses on the air quality, climate, and health impacts of chemical reactions at environmental interfaces. Sarah is currently (Fall 2022) teaching CHEM 1A03; in previous years, she taught third-year analytical chemistry (CHEM 3AA3). She is enthusiastic about involving researchers at all levels in her team’s activities—don’t hesitate to get in touch through our website via the relevant form!

Summary of research interests

Chemistry on atmospheric surfaces, including desert/urban dust, wildfire particulate matter/building surfaces in wildfire-influenced areas, and cultural heritage objects; air quality, climate, and health impacts of atmospheric processes; pollutant transformations in the environment; interdisciplinary engagement (e.g., high-throughput reactor design, art conservation); environmental justice (e.g., collaboration with community partners to identify pollutant exposure disparities)

Summary of teaching interests

Atmospheric, environmental, and analytical chemistry; large introductory classes; project-based learning; student engagement through inclusive teaching (e.g., individual engagement with learners, in-class discussion of environmental justice issues, class-wide office hours focused on the ‘hidden’ undergraduate curriculum); interdisciplinary course development (e.g., art conservation science)