Griffin Research Lab
Welcome to the website of the Griffin Research Group in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Rice University. Our research interests lie broadly in understanding the chemical behavior of trace gases and aerosol particles in the troposphere. Only if such behavior is understood can the magnitude of the effects of these species on human health, climate, visibility, etc. be understood. Our work includes field measurements, computational modeling, and laboratory experiments.
Please browse this site to learn more about Dr. Griffin, our lab group members and the research we are doing. You can access our most current publications here. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
On a more personal note, Dr. Griffin grew up in Massachusetts, is a huge Boston sports fan and is married to a wonderful woman (Ann) whom he's known since he was a first-year student in college (not listed in order of importance, of course!). Rob and Ann have two terrific, really cute kids (Liam and Meredith) and as a family, they love movies (especially Pixar), travel (especially to the beach), and playing and watching sports (Go Owls!).
BACKGROUND
Rob Griffin
Dr. Griffin received a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering with a minor in Environmental Engineering Science in 2000 from the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, California. Since 2000, Griffin has held various academic positions, the most recent of which is Senior Associate Dean for the School of Engineering, which follows his service to the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering as their Chair from 2015-2019, both at Rice University in Houston, Texas.
Faculty ProfileField of expertise: Atmospheric chemistry, with a focus specifically on field campaigns, laboratory experiments, and computational simulations that elucidate the processes that lead to particulate matter formation in the troposphere. Dr. Griffin and his group have published over 100 scientific papers in this field. He is a past recipient of both a National Science Foundation CAREER Award and a University Corporation for Atmospheric Research Faculty Fellowship and currently serves as a scientific advisory committee member for several groups interested in air quality in Texas. Dr. Griffin currently serves his profession as a member of the American Association for Aerosol Research, the American Geophysical Union, the American Chemical Society, and the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors.
Research Interests
Secondary particle formation in the atmosphere, heterogeneous reactions occurring on atmospheric particle surfaces, analytical techniques for measuring particle composition, measurement of atmospheric trace gases using laser spectroscopy, air quality modeling with an emphasis on development of new modules to simulate particle formation.
Contact Us
Rob Griffin
Sr. Associate Dean, School of Engineering
Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Rice University
6100 Main Street
MS 364
Houston, TX 77005
Phone: 713-348-2093
Office: 1012 Duncan Hall
Email: rob.griffin 'at' rice.edu