Steve Plachinski
Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment
University of Wisconsin-Madison
1710 University Ave, Room 287
Madison, WI 53726 USA
608-265-8720 tel
608-265-4113 fax
plachinski@wisc.edu

Steve is a M.S. student in the Department of Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences. His work focuses on the connections between the environment and human livelihood, specifically the intersection of air quality, climate change, and energy use. In addition to his participation in the CHANGE program, he also is enrolled in the Air Resources Management (ARM) certificate from the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies.

Steve's research explores the role of air quality modeling in energy and climate change policy through two interrelated projects utilizing the Community Multi-Scale Air Quality Model (CMAQ). First, he uses this model and ozone/meteorology observation data to examine the impact of climate change on ground-level ozone. Second, he seeks to quantify the air quality impact of future energy use policies and trends using CMAQ and a variety of pollution emission scenarios. His work connects atmospheric science, civil and environmental engineering, environmental economics and policy, and environmental health.

In 2008, Steve received his B.S. in Applied Physics with minors in mathematics and theology from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio.