Binaku, Katrina

Degrees

Ph.D. in Chemistry, 2014, Loyola University Chicago
B.S. Chemistry, Criminal Justice, 2008, Lewis University, Romeoville, IL

Research Interests

Multi-variate statistics serve as a valuable tool to uncover relationships between air pollutant(s) and meteorology. Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) exemplify such statistical methods, unveiling linear relationships between specific air pollutants [trace gasses and soluble aerosol species] concentrations and meteorological variables like temperature, wind speed, wind direction, etc. Daily physical sampling and quantification of aerosols, gas monitors for trace gasses, as well as a weather station to record meteorology in Chicago was required to build the data sets used to test several hypotheses regarding variability of air pollutants’ concentrations and use of CCA, PCA.

Although my interest remains in air pollution and statistical analysis, my current focus is undergraduate teaching. Continuous development and adaptation of lab experiments for an ever-changing student population has been underway since my start as a full-time faculty member at Loyola University Chicago in 2013. Notably, establishing standardization of course content across all first-year laboratory sections through effective coordination and communication stands out as an accomplishment that enhances consistency of student learning and feedback. I am also directly involved in revising course structure and content for the first two years of introductory chemistry lecture & lab courses.

Courses Taught

• Chem 102 – General Chemistry B Lecture & Discussion
• Chem 111 – General Chemistry Lab A
• Chem 112 – General Chemistry Lab B
• Chem 161 – Chemical Structure & Properties Lab
• Chem 212 – Quantitative Analysis Lecture & Discussion
• Chem 214 – Quantitative Analysis Lab
• Chem 261 – Quantitative Methods Lab *first faculty to design, teach new course
• Chem 272 – Analytical Chemistry Lab & Lab Discussion *first faculty to design, teach new course

Selected Publications

• Binaku, K. and Schmeling, M. (2017). Multivariate Statistical Analyses of Air Pollutants and Meteorology in Chicago During Summers 2010-2012. Air Quality, Atmosphere, and Health, doi: 1007/s11869-017-0507-7
• 280-7P Air Pollution Observations in Chicago from 2002-2012. Presented at the Pittsburg Conferences on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy. Chicago, IL, USA. March 2014.
• 1390-2P Multivariate Statistical Analysis of Chicago Air Pollution and Meteorology. Presented at the Pittsburg Conferences on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy. Chicago, IL, USA. March 2014.
• Binaku, K., O’Brien, T., Schmeling, M., Fosco, T. (2013). Statistical analysis of aerosol species, trace gasses, and meteorology in Chicago. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, doi: 10.1007/s10661-013-3101-y
• Investigation of Organic Acid and Cr (VI) Aerosols in the Local Atmosphere: Method Development and Insight on How Meteorology Affects Pollutant Levels. Presented at the American Chemical Society Joliet Chapter Meeting. Joliet, IL, USA. November 2010