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Jaffe Group

Category: Graduation

Congrats to Dr. Crystal McClure, newest PhD graduate in the Jaffe Group

Best wishes to Crystal McClure for the successful defense of her PhD dissertation on May 7, 2018! Her dissertation—titled Impacts of Biomass Burning on Ozone, Particulate Matter, and Carbon Dioxide in the Northwest U.S.—capped 7 years of solid work in the Jaffe Group.

Dan Jaffe and Crystal McClure celebrate her PhD defense
Dan Jaffe and Crystal McClure celebrate her PhD defense

Crystal is the first author on 2 published papers, 1 recently accepted paper, and 1 paper currently in review. (See her papers on the Publications page.) Later this summer, she will begin a post-doctoral fellowship at UC Davis with Chris Cappa that focuses on the optical properties of black carbon from wildfires.

Crystal offered some sage advice for students, and all of us: “Setbacks are part of the journey. Learn to embrace them and you’ll find that you learn and benefit more from your failures than your successes.” We are so excited for you, Crystal, and will miss you!

Here’s to Dr. Pao Baylon, newest PhD graduate in the Jaffe Group

Congratulations to Pao Baylon for the successful defense of his PhD thesis on May 31, 2017! His dissertation, titled Impact of Stratospheric Intrusions, Regional Wildfires, and Long-Range Transport Events on Air Quality in the Western United States, was the culmination of 6 years of hard work in the Jaffe Group. Pao was the first author on 3 peer-reviewed papers, and his fourth paper is currently in review. (See his papers on the Publications page.) He is now employed at the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, Air Quality Division.

Pao Baylon dissertation celebration 5-31-2017
Members of the Jaffe Group celebrating Pao’s PhD defense: (left to right) James Laing, Pao, Crystal McClure, Lei Zhang, Xi Gong, and Dan Jaffe

Pao shared some advice for graduate students: “Grad school is a cycle of ups and downs, and to survive this journey you should celebrate your triumphs and avoid dwelling on your lows.” And we celebrate you, Pao!