HI THERE, I'M
Haley Plaas
Ph.D.
Associate Research Scientist
@ Columbia University and NASA-GISS
About me
MY BACKGROUND + MOTIVATION
Hello! I'm an interdisciplinary atmospheric biogeochemist and climate modeler. My research is focused on furthering our understanding of complex interactions within the Earth System, with a particular focus on chemical exchanges across aquatic-atmospheric interfaces, and how these processes influence microbial activity, air quality, clouds and radiation, global biogeochemical cycles, and human health.
My favorite part of being a scientist is communicating science: collaborating with problem-solvers from diverse backgrounds and working directly with community partners to maximize the impact of my work.
My guiding principle as a scientist is that "smart people aren't afraid to ask stupid questions". Please reach out for collaboration!
Career Milestones + Research Outlooks
2019
Earned my dual B.S. in Biology and Marine Science from the University of Miami.
2023
Earned my Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences and Engineering from UNC-Chapel Hill. As a doctoral student, I managed and completed four research projects examining the impacts of harmful cyanobacterial blooms on aerosol formation through field and lab-based experiments.
2024
As a postdoc at NC State, I began using Earth System models and satellite-based data to study air-sea interactions. I studied the role of human-based emissions on ocean biogeochemistry.
2025
In my current role as an Associate Research Scientist at Columbia University on affiliation with NASA-GISS, I am implementing a flexible gas-phase chemistry modules within Nexus ModelE, NASA's premiere CMIP-class climate model. My other research projects are focused on harmful algal bloom responses to atmospheric nutrient inputs and volatile organic compound chemistry-climate interactions in ModelE.
Select Publications
REPRESENTATIVE RESEARCH PROJECTS
Li, R., Plaas, H. E., Zhang, Y., Chen, Y., Zhang, T., Yang, Y., Rathod, S., Zhang, G., Wang, X., Hamilton, D. S., and Tang, M.: Residential burning is a potentially significant source of soluble iron to the ocean, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 26, 9037–9060, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-9037-2026, 2026.
Plaas, H.E., Karl, C., Cogbill, R., Garcia, N.R., Stoop, A. H., Satterwhite, L.H., Mathieu-Campbell M.E., Richmond- Bryant, J., Paerl, H.W., and Hamilton, D.S. CyanoHABs and CAPs: community-based monitoring of fine particulate matter reveals regional sources of pollution in rural, northeastern North Carolina. Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2025, 5, 674, https://doi.org/10.1039/d5ea00020c
Plaas, H. E., Yan, J., Christensen, C., Chang, S., Cortez, C., Fern, S., Nelson, L., Sabo, A.; Armstrong, N. C., Turpin, B. J., Zhang, Y., Paerl, H. W., Surratt, J. D. Secondary Organic Aerosol Formation from Cyanobacterial-Derived Volatile Organic Compounds. ACS Earth Space Chem 2023. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsearthspacechem.3c00177
H.E. Plaas, R.W. Paerl, K. Baumann, et al., Harmful cyanobacterial aerosolization dynamics in the airshed of a eutrophic estuary, Science of the Total Environment (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158383
Plaas, H. E., & Paerl, H. W. (2021). Toxic Cyanobacteria: A Growing Threat to Water and Air Quality. Environmental Science & Technology, 55(1), 44–64. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.0c06653