Vishal Verma
Primary Research Area
- Environmental Engineering and Science
Research Areas
- Energy-Water-Environment Sustainability
- Environmental Engineering and Science
- Societal Risk & Hazard Mitigation
For more information
Biography
Vishal Verma earned his B.E. in Environmental Engineering from Delhi College of Engineering (2002), M. Tech. in Environmental Science and Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (2004) and his Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Southern California (2011).
Dr. Verma has earned numerous awards and recognitions for his work including the gold medal for outstanding research performance in Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (2004), Viterbi School of Engineering fellowship award (2007) and outstanding researcher award (2009) from the University of Southern California. He is an active member of the American Association of Aerosol Research (AAAR) and has served as the chair for a number of symposiums on Air Pollution and Health in the 2014 annual conference of AAAR.
Education
- PhD, Environmental Engineering, University of Southern California, 2011
- M.Tech, Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, India, 2004
- B.E., Environmental Engineering, Delhi College of Engineering, University of Delhi, India, 2002
Academic Positions
- Visiting Assistant Professor, University of Chile, January 07-January 12, 2018
- Assistant Professor, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2015-present
- Research Scientist, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2011-2015
Professional Societies
- Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors (member, 2015-present)
- International Society of Exposure Sciences (member, 2015-present)
- American Geophysical Union (AGU) (member, 2009-present)
- American Association of Aerosol Research: a) Member (2007-present); b) Vice chair of health related aerosol working group (2016-2017); c) Chair of health related aerosol working group (2017-2018)
Service on Department Committees
- CEE Faculty Search Committee, 2018-2019
- Chair of Environmental Engineering and Science Program admission committee (2018, 2019, 2020)
- Graduate recruitment weekend presentation (Spring 2016, 2017 and 2018)
- Conducted CEE 195 seminar (Fall, 2016, 2017 and 2018)
Other Outside Service
- Reviewer for the following journals: Environmental Science and Technology, Atmospheric Environment, Environmental Toxicology, Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Scientific Reports (Nature), Environmental Pollution, Journal of Air and Waste Management Association
Research Interests
- The main focus of Dr. Verma’s research interests is to identify the components of ambient particulate matter and their emission sources, which are most responsible for inducing the adverse health effects in humans. It involves quantifying the relative contributions of various aerosol components in toxicity, elucidating their unique mechanisms of action, and replicating those mechanisms in laboratory to gain a better understanding of the impact of various emission sources and atmospheric processes on human health. The specific interests include measuring the toxicological properties of ambient particles through catalytic generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Keywords: Atmospheric Aerosols, Aerosol Health Effects, Oxidative Properties and ROS Activity of Ambient Particles
Research Statement
The main focus of Dr. Verma’s research interests is to identify the components of ambient particulate matter and their emission sources, which are most responsible for inducing the adverse health effects in humans. It involves quantifying the relative contributions of various aerosol components in toxicity, elucidating their unique mechanisms of action, and replicating those mechanisms in laboratory to gain a better understanding of the impact of various emission sources and atmospheric processes on human health. The specific interests include measuring the toxicological properties of ambient particles through catalytic generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS).
Primary Research Area
- Environmental Engineering and Science
Research Areas
Chapters in Books
Selected Articles in Journals
- Wang, Y., Puthussery, J.V., Yu, H. Verma, V., 2020. Synergistic and Antagonistic Interactions between the Organic and Metallic Components of the Ambient Particulate Matter (PM) for the Cytotoxicity measured by Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells, Science of Total Environment, 736, 139511.
- Puthussery, J.V., Singh, A., Rai, P., Bhattu, D., Kumar, V., Vats, P., Furger, M., Rastogi, N., Slowik, J.G., Ganguly, D., Prevot, A.S.H, Tripathi, S.N., Verma, V., 2020. Real-Time Measurements of PM2.5 Oxidative Potential using Dithiothreitol (DTT) Assay in Delhi, India, Environmental Science and Technology Letters, 7, 504–510.
- Yu, H, Puthussery, J.V., Verma, V., 2019. A semi-automated multi-endpoint reactive oxygen species activity analyzer (SAMERA) for measuring the oxidative potential of ambient PM2.5 aqueous extracts, Aerosol Science and Technology, 54 (3), 304–320.
- Wei, J., Yu, H., Wang, Y., Verma, V., 2019. Complexation of Iron and Copper in Ambient Particulate Matter and its Effect on the Oxidative Potential Measured in a Surrogate Lung Fluid, Environmental Science and Technology, 53, 1661−1671.
- Bates,J.T., Weber, R.J., Verma, V., Fang,T., Ivey, C., Liu, C., Sarnat, S.E., Chang, H.H., Mulholland, J.A., Russell, A.G., 2018. Source impact modeling of spatiotemporal trends in PM2. 5 oxidative potential across the eastern United States, Atmospheric Environment, 193, 158-167.
- Puthussery, J.V., Zhang, C., Verma, V., 2018. Development and field testing of an online instrument for measuring the real-time oxidative potential of ambient particulate matter based on dithiothreitol assay, Atmospheric Measurement Techniques, 11, 5767-5780.
- Wang, Y., Mukherjee, U. K., Plewa, M. J., and Verma, V., 2018. Assessing the cytotoxicity of ambient particulate matter using Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and its relationship with the chemical composition and oxidative potential, Atmospheric Environment, 179, 132-141.
- Yu, H., Wei, J., W., Cheng, Y., Subedi, K., and Verma, V., 2018. Synergistic and antagonistic interactions among the particulate matter components in generating reactive oxygen species, Environmental Science and Technology, 52, 2261-2270.
- Shirmohammadi, F., Lovett, C., Sowlat, M. H., Mousavi, A., Verma, V., Shafer, M. M., Schauer, J. J., and Sioutas, C., 2018. Chemical composition and redox activity of PM0.25 near Los Angeles international airport and comparisons to an urban traffic site, Science of Total Environment, 610, 1336-1346.
- Xiong, Q., Yu, H., Wang, R., Wei, J., Verma, V., 2017. Rethinking dithiothreitol-based particulate matter oxidative potential: measuring dithiothreitol consumption versus reactive oxygen species generation. Environmental Science and Technology, 51, 6507-6514.
- Abrams, J. Y., Weber, R. J., Klein, M., Samat, S. E., Chang, H. H., Strickland, M. J., Verma, V., Fang, T., Bates, J. T., Mulholland, J. A., Russell, A. G., and Tolbert, P. E., 2017. Associations between ambient fine particulate oxidative potential and cardiorespiratory emergency department visits, Environmental Health Perspectives, 125 (10), 107008-1-107008-9.
- Vreeland, H., Weber, R.J., Bergin, M., Greenwald, R., Golan, R., Russell, A.G., Verma, V., Sarnat, J., 2017. Oxidative potential of PM2.5 during Atlanta rush hour: measurements of in-vehicle dithiothreitol (DTT) activity, Atmospheric Environment, 165, 169-178
- Gao, D., Fang, T., Verma, V., Zeng, L., Weber, R.J., 2017. A method for measuring total aerosol oxidative potential (OP) with the dithiothreitol (DTT) assay and comparisons between an urban and roadside site of water-soluble and total OP, Atmospheric Measurement Technology, 10, 2821-2835.
- Fang, T., Zeng, L., Gao, D., Verma, V., Stefaniac, A., Weber, R.J., Guo., 2017. Ambient size distributions and lung deposition of aerosol dithiothreitol-measured oxidative potential: contrast between soluble and insoluble particles, Environmental Science and Technology, 51 (12), 6802-6811
- Fang, T., Guo, H., Zeng, L., Verma, V., Nenes, A., Weber, R.J., 2017. Highly acidic ambient particles, soluble metals and oxidative potential: A link between sulfate and aerosol toxicity, Environmental Science and Technology, 51 (5), 2611-2620
- Shirmohammadi, F., Wang, D., Hasheminassab, S., Verma, V., Schauer, J.J., Sioutas, C., 2016. Oxidative potential of on-road fine particulate matter (PM2.5) measured on major freeways of Los Angeles, CA, and a 10-year comparison with earlier roadside studies. Atmospheric Environment, 148, 102-114.
- Vreeland, H., Schauer, J.J., Russell, A.G., Marshall, J.D., Fushimi, A., Jain, G., Sethuraman, K., Verma, V., Tripathi, S.N., Bergin, M.H., 2016. Chemical characterization and toxicity of particulate matter emissions from roadside trash combustion in urban India, Atmospheric Environment 147, 22-30.
- Tuet, W., Foka,S.,Verma, V., Rodriguez, M., Grosberg, A., Champion, J.,Ng, N.L., 2016. Dose-dependent intracellular reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) production from particulate matter exposure: comparison to oxidative potential and chemical composition, Atmospheric Environment, 144, 335-344.
- Fang, T., Verma, V., Bates, J.T., Abrams, J., Klein, M., Strickland, M.J., Sarnat, S.E. Chang, H.H., Mulholland, J., Tolbert, P.E., Russell, A.G., Weber, R.J., 2016. Oxidative potential of ambient water-soluble PM2.5 measured by dithiothreitol (DTT) and ascorbic acid (AA) assays in the southeastern United States: contrasts in sources and health associations, Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 16 (6), 3865-3879.
- Bates, J. T., Weber, R. J., Abrams, J., Verma, V., Klein, M., Matthew Strickland, Sarnat, S., Fang, T., Chang, H., Mulholland, J., Tolbert, P., Russell, A., 2015. Reactive oxygen species generation linked to sources of atmospheric particulate matter and cardiorespiratory effects, Environmental Science and Technology, 49, 13605-13612.
- Fang, T., Verma, V., Bates, J., Abrams, J., Weber, R.J., 2015. PM 2.5 water-soluble elements in the southeastern United States: automated analytical method development, spatiotemporal distributions, source apportionment, and implications for heath studies, Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 15, 11667-11682.
- Verma, V., Wang, Y., El-Afifi, R., Fang, T., Russell, A.J., Weber, R.J., 2015. Fractionating ambient humic-like substances (HULIS) for their reactive oxygen species activity - assessing the importance of quinones and atmospheric aging on particulate matter toxicity, Atmospheric Environment, 120, 351-359.
- Verma, V., Fang, T., Lu, X., Nga, N. L., Peltier, R., Russell, A.J., Weber, R.J., 2015. Organic aerosols associated with reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, Environmental Science and Technology, 49 (7), 4646-4656.
- Verma, V., Fang, T., Guo, H., King, L., Edgerton, E., Peltier, R., Russell, A.J., Weber, R.J., 2014. Reactive oxygen species associated with water-soluble PM2.5 in the southeastern United States - spatiotemporal trends and source apportionment, Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 14, 12915-12930.
- Fang, T., Verma, V., Guo, H., King, L. E., Edgerton, E. S., and Weber, R. J., 2014. A Semi-automated system for quantifying the oxidative potential of ambient particles in aqueous extracts using the dithiothreitol (DTT) assay: results from the Southeastern center for air pollution and ppidemiology (SCAPE), Atmospheric Measurement Techniques, 8, 471-482
- Budisulistiorini, S.H., Canagaratna, M.R., Croteau, P.L., Baumann, K., Edgerton, E.S., Kollman, M.S., Ng, N.L., Verma, V., Shaw, S.L., Knipping, E.M., Worsnop, D.R., Jayne, J.T., Weber, R.J., Surratt, J.D., 2014. Intercomparison of an aerosol chemical speciation monitor (ACSM) with ambient fine aerosol measurements in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, Atmospheric Measurement Technique, 7, 1929-1941.
- Verma, V., Rico-Martinez, R., Kotra, N., Rennolds, C., King, L., Liu, J., Snell, T., Weber, R.J., 2013. Estimating the toxicity of ambient fine aerosols using freshwater rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus (Rotifera: Monogononta), Environmental Pollution, 182, 379-384.
- Verma, V., Rico-Martinez, R., Kotra, N., King, L., Liu, J., Snell, T., Weber, R.J., 2012. Contribution of water-soluble and insoluble species and their hydrophobic/hydrophilic sub-fractions in the ROS generating potential of ambient atmospheric aerosols. Environmental Science and Technology, 46 (20), 11384-11392.
- Verma, V., Shafer, M.M., Schauer, J.J. and Sioutas, C., 2010. Contribution of transition metals in the reactive oxygen species activity of PM emissions from retrofitted heavy-duty vehicles. Atmospheric Environment, 44 (39), 5165-5173.
- Verma, V., Pakbin, P., Cheung, K.L., Cho, A.K., Schauer, J.J, Shafer, M.M, Kleinman, M.T., and Sioutas, C., 2010. Physicochemical and oxidative characteristics of semi-volatile components of quasi-ultrafine particles in an urban atmosphere. Atmospheric Environment, 45 (4), 1025-1033.
- Moore, K.F., Verma, V., Minguillon, M.C., Sioutas, C., 2010. Inter- and intra-community variability in continuous coarse particulate matter (PM10-2.5) concentrations in the Los Angeles area. Aerosol Science and Technology, 44 (7), 526-540.
- Verma, V., Ning, Z., Cho, A.K., Schauer, J.J., Shafer, M.M., Sioutas, C., 2009. Redox activity of urban quasi-ultrafine particles from primary and secondary sources. Atmospheric Environment, 43 (40), 6360-6368.
- Biswas, S., Verma, V., Schauer, J.J., Cassee, F.R., Cho, A.K., Sioutas, C., 2009. Oxidative potential of semi-volatile and non-volatile particulate matter (PM) from heavy-duty vehicles retrofitted with emission control technologies. Environmental Science and Technology, 43 (10), 3905-3912.
- Verma, V., Polidori, A., Schauer, J.J., Shafer, M.M., Cassee, F.R., Sioutas, C., 2009. Physicochemical and toxicological profiles of particulate matter in Los Angeles during the October 2007 southern California wildfires. Environmental Science and Technology, 43 (3), 954-960.
- Biswas, S., Verma, V., Schauer, J.J., Sioutas, C., 2009. Chemical speciation of PM emissions from heavy-duty diesel vehicles equipped with diesel particulate filter (DPF) and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) retrofits. Atmospheric Environment, 43 (11), 1917-1925.
- Biswas, S., Hu, S.H., Verma, V., Herner, J.D., Robertson, W.H., Ayala, A., Sioutas, C., 2008. Physical properties of particulate matter (PM) from late model heavy-duty diesel vehicles operating with advanced PM and NOx emission control technologies. Atmospheric Environment, 42 (22), 5622-5634.
Invited Lectures
- Novel Instrumentations to measure the Oxidative Properties of Ambient Aerosols
- Reactive oxygen species associated with ambient particulate matter
- Toxicity of ambient particulate matter
- Oxidative properties of ambient particulate matter - An assessment of the relative contributions from various aerosol components
- Interaction among aerosol components for altering the ROS activity of PM2.5
- Health-relevant metrics for ambient aerosol pollution
- Methods for measuring the oxidative potential of ambient particles
- Oxidative properties of ambient particulate matter - An assessment of the relative contributions from various aerosol components
- Relating reactive oxygen species generation capability of ambient aerosols to chemical composition and emission sources
- Oxidative potential of ambient particulate matter and its implications
- Linking particulate matter to human health: A new paradigm?
- Toxicological characteristics of ambient particulate matter - An assessment of the relative contributions from various aerosol components and their emission sources
- Reactive oxygen species (ROS) activity of ambient particles in an urban environment - an assessment of the relative contributions from various aerosol components
Honors
- Center for Advanced Study Fellow for the 2021-22 academic year
- Honorable Mention for the James J. Morgan Early Career Award from Environmental Science and Technology journal and ACS Division of Environmental Chemistry (ENVR) (November 2020)
- National Science Foundation Early Career Award (February 2019)
Teaching Honors
- Appeared in the List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent with outstanding rating by Their Students for the course CEE 545 at UIUC (Spring 2019)
- Appeared in the List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent with outstanding rating by Their Students for the course CEE 545 at UIUC (Spring 2018)
- Appeared in the List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent by Their Students for the course CEE 498 at UIUC (Fall 2017)
- Appeared in the List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent by Their Students for the course CEE 545 at UIUC (Spring 2017)