Elemental
analysis of windblown dust
Dr.
Robinson’s research group is currently investigating the elemental composition
of windblown fine particulate matter (PM-2.5) in Shiprock, NM. Shiprock is
located downwind of multiple abandoned uranium mine tailings sites.
The
purpose of this work is to examine the dust particles in Shiprock for evidence
of mining debris. This work is supported with funding from Science Foundation
Arizona and conducted in collaboration with the University of Arizona and the Navajo
Nation EPA.
PAHs
in wood-smoke particulate
Dr.
Robinson’s research group has also investigated the composition of fine
particulate matter (PM-2.5) in wood smoke during prescribed burns. Prescribed
burning, together with mechanical thinning, are effective ways to reduce heavy
fuel loads on the forest floors and prevent catastrophic fire.
Fire
prevention is particular important in Flagstaff of its location in the Coconino
National Forest, the largest contiguous pine forest in North America. Specific
attention has been focused on the concentrations of polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the wood-smoke particles because several PAHs are known
carcinogens.
Results
indicate that particle concentrations at prescribed burns are high (6,000
µg/m3), but PAH levels in the particles are low. For example, concentrations of
benzo[a]pyrene were less than 0.185 µg/m3, and the sum of 21 different PAHs was
less than 3.65 µg/m3. This work was supported with grants from the NSF (POWRE),
DOE (HBCU-MSI), BIA (ERI), and the NIH through the Native American Cancer
Research Partnership (NACRP).
The
Write like a Chemist Project
Dr. Robinson is a strong advocate of integrating writing
into the chemistry curriculum. To this end, she teaches a discipline-specific
writing course (CHM 300W) and has authored a textbook on chemistry-specific
writing (Write Like a Chemist,
Oxford University Press, 2008).
The book was supported by two NSF CCLI grants and was
piloted at 16 universities nationwide before coming to press. For more
information about the book and writing project, visit Oxford University Press.
Textbooks and book chapters
Robinson, M. S., Stoller, F. L., Costanza-Robinson, M. S. Jones J. K. Write Like a Chemist: A Guide and Resource, Oxford University Press, NY, NY 2008.
Robinson, M. S., Stoller, F. L., Chapter 10. A Read-Analyze-Write Approach to Research-Related Literacy Skills for Upper-Division Chemistry Majors. In Designing, Implementing, and Sustaining a Research-Supportive Undergraduate Curriculum: A Compendium of Successful Curricular Practices from Faculty and Institutions Engaged in Undergraduate Research Karukstis, K., Elgren, T., Eds. Council on Undergraduate Research Press: Washington, D.C., 2007, pp 175–191.
Peer-reviewed journal articles
Robinson, M. S.; Stoller, F. L.; Horn, B.; Grabe, W. Teaching and Applying Chemistry-Specific Writing Skills Using a Simple, Adaptable Exercise. J. Chem. Educ., 2009, 86,45-49.
Robinson, M. S., Stoller, F. L., Jones, J. K. Using the ACS Journals Search to Validate Assumptions about Writing in Chemistry and Improve Chemistry Writing Instruction. J Chem. Ed. 2008, 85, 650–654.
Horn, B., Stoller, F. L., Robinson, M. S. Two Heads Are Better Than One: Interdisciplinary Collaboration. English Teaching Forum 2008, 42, 2–13.
Stoller, F. L., Horn, B., Grabe, W., Robinson, M. S. Evaluative Review in Materials Development. J. English for Academic Purposes 2006, 5, 174–196.
Stoller, F. L., Horn, B., Grabe, W., Robinson, M. S. Creating and Validating Assessment Instruments for a Discipline-Specific Writing Course: An Interdisciplinary Approach. J. Applied Linguistics 2005, 2, 75–104.
Stoller, F. L., Jones, J. K., Costanza-Robinson, M. S., Robinson, M. S. Demystifying disciplinary writing: A case study in the writing of chemistry. Language and Learning Across the Disciplines, Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Language, Learning, and Academic Writing 2005 (http://wac.colostate.edu/atd/lds/stoller.cfm).
Research-related publications
Robinson, M.S.; Zhao, M; Zack, L; Brindley, C.; Portz, L.; Quarterman, M.; Long, X.; Herckes, P. Characterization of PM2.5 collected during broadcast and slash-pile prescribed burns of predominately ponderosa pine forests in northern Arizona. Atmospheric Environment, 2011, 45, 2087–2094.
Hutchings, J. W.; Robinson, M. S.; McIlwraith, H.; Triplett, J.; Herckes, P. The chemistry of intercepted clouds in northern Arizona during the North American monsoon season, Water Air and Soil Pollut,2009, 199:191–202.DOI 10.1007/s11270-008-9871-0.
Robinson, M. S.; Anthony, T. R.; Littau, S. R.; Herckes, P.; Nelson, X.; Poplin, G. S.; Burgess J. L. Occupational PAH Exposures during Prescribed Pile Burns. Ann. Occup. Hyg. 2008, 52, 497–508.
Robinson, M. S.; Chavez, J.; Velazquez, S.; Jayanty, R. K. M. Chemical speciation of PM-2.5 collected during prescribed fires of the Coconino National Forest. J. Air & Waste Managemt Assoc. 2004, 54, 1112–1123.
La Spisa, S.; Waldheim, M.; Lintemoot, J.; Thomas, T.; Naff, J.; Robinson, M. Infrared and vapor flux studies of vapor-deposited amorphous and crystalline water ice films between 90 and 145 K. J. Geophys. Res. 2001, 106, 33351–33361.
Robinson, M.; Mallick, G; Spillman, J. L.; Carreon, P. A.; Shalloo, S. Polarization dependent interference effects in grazing-angle FTIR-reflection absorption spectroscopy to determine thickness of water-ice films. Appl. Optics, 1999, 38, 91–95.
Zondlo, M. A.; Onasch, T. B.; Warshawsky, M. S.; Tolbert, M. A.; Mallick, G.; Arentz, P.; Robinson, M. S. Vapor-deposited water-ice films using grazing-angle FTIR-reflection absorption spectroscopy. J. Phys. Chem. B, 1997, 101, 10887–10895.
DePuy, C. H.; Bierbaum, V. M.; Robinson, M. S.; Davico, G. E.; Gareyev, R. Gas-Phase Reactions of Allenyl Anion with CS2, COS, and CO2. Tetrahedron, 1997, 29, 9847–9856.
Robinson, M. S.; Polak, M.; Bierbaum, V. M.; DePuy, C. H.; Lineberger, W. C. Experimental Studies of Allene and Methylacetylene: Electron Affinity, Gas-Phase Acidity, Bond Dissociation Energies, and Ion-Molecule Chemistry. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1995, 117, 6766–6778.
Robinson, M. S., Bierbaum, V. M.; DePuy, C. H. Gas Phase Ion-Molecule Chemistry of Carbon-13 Labeled Ketenyl and Methylketenyl Anions with CS2, COS, and CO2, Int. J. Mass Spectrom. Ion Proc. 1994, 137, 107–119.
Robinson, M. S.; Breitbeil F. W. III. The Gas Phase Ion/Molecule Chemistry of Four Carbanions Generated from Vinylene Carbonate and its Methyl and Dimethyl Derivatives, Int. J. Mass Spectrom. Ion Proc. 1992, 117, 647–658.
Schiffman, A.; Nelson, D. D.; Robinson, M.; Nesbitt, D. J. High Resolution Infrared Flash Kinetic Spectroscopy of OH Radicals, J. Phys. Chem. 1991, 95, 2629–2636.