Aiden S. Pianalto
Research

Research Assistant

University of California, Riverside

Contributed to collaborative atmospheric chemistry research in Dr. Ying-Hsuan Lin's laboratory investigating reactive oxygen species produced by organoselenium-derived secondary organic aerosols.

LocationRiverside, California
DatesMay 2023 — January 2025
Focus
Atmospheric ChemistryEPR SpectroscopyAerosol ScienceExperimental ResearchData InterpretationScientific Communication
2×California State Science Fair competitor
2×Gold — Riverside County Science Fair
2×Silver — Riverside Unified School District Science Fair
1Peer-reviewed publication as coauthor
AT A GLANCE
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Participated in EPR, TEMPONE-H, DCFH2, and atmospheric chamber experiments.

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Investigated hydroxyl-radical formation in organoselenium-derived aerosols.

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Developed science-fair papers, posters, and presentations using data from the project.

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Presented at Riverside Unified School District, Riverside County, and California state science fairs in 2024 and 2025.

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Listed as a coauthor on a 2026 Environmental Science & Technology publication.

01

Research Focus

The project investigated reactive oxygen species produced when organoselenium-derived secondary aerosols undergo aqueous processing, with particular attention to selenium redox chemistry and hydroxyl-radical formation.

  • Studied dimethyl selenide-derived secondary aerosols.
  • Investigated reactive oxygen species generated during aqueous processing.
  • Examined hydroxyl-radical formation and oxidative potential.
  • Explored selenium redox cycling as a possible mechanism for radical production.
Graphical abstract showing organoselenium aerosol formation, aqueous processing, selenium redox cycling, and reactive oxygen species production

Graphical summary of the atmospheric and aqueous chemistry investigated in the research.

Source: Lum et al., Environmental Science & Technology, 2026, 60, 5608–5618.

02

Experimental Work

Working with graduate researchers and faculty, I participated in experimental workflows used to characterize radical formation and oxidative behavior in the aerosol systems.

  • Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy.
  • Radical detection and quantification.
  • DCFH2 oxidative-potential analysis.
  • Atmospheric chamber experiments.
  • Aerosol sample and filter preparation.
  • Experimental data interpretation.
EPR spectra and hydroxyl radical comparison for dimethyl selenide-derived and dimethyl sulfide-derived aerosols

EPR measurements and comparison of hydroxyl-radical production in the aerosol systems.

Figure 1 from Lum et al., Environmental Science & Technology, 2026, 60, 5608–5618.

03

Chemical Characterization

The research extended beyond radical measurements to examine selenium-containing compounds and oxidation states present within processed aerosol material.

  • Evaluated selenium-containing compounds produced during atmospheric and aqueous processing.
  • Examined evidence for multiple selenium oxidation states.
  • Connected chemical composition with possible selenium redox cycling.
  • Used complementary chemical-analysis methods to investigate proposed reaction pathways.
Thermal desorption and mass spectrometry plots showing selenium-containing compounds

Chemical characterization of selenium-containing compounds identified in the aerosol system.

Figure 4 from Lum et al., Environmental Science & Technology, 2026, 60, 5608–5618.

04

Science Communication

I translated the research into my own papers, posters, and presentations for science-fair competition and public scientific communication.

  • Riverside Unified School District Science Fair — Silver — 2024.
  • Riverside County Science Fair — Gold — 2024.
  • California State Science Fair — 2024.
  • Riverside Unified School District Science Fair — Silver — 2025.
  • Riverside County Science Fair — Gold — 2025.
  • California State Science Fair — 2025.
Aiden Pianalto science fair presentation slide about reactive oxygen species from organoselenium secondary organic aerosols

Introductory slide from my science-fair presentation on the organoselenium aerosol research.

Presentation material created by Aiden Pianalto.

05

Publication

The broader research resulted in a peer-reviewed Environmental Science & Technology article published in 2026, with me included as a coauthor.

  • Role of Selenium in Production of Reactive Oxygen Species from Aqueous Processing of Dimethyl Selenide-Derived Secondary Aerosols.
  • Environmental Science & Technology.
  • Volume 60, pages 5608–5618.
  • Published 2026.
First page of the Environmental Science and Technology article showing the title and author list including Aiden Pianalto

Published article showing the research title and author list.

Lum et al., Environmental Science & Technology, 2026, 60, 5608–5618.

View Published Article ↗