AQ Buffs 2026
A CU Boulder student-led air quality research symposium
Date: Friday, February 27, 2026
Location: SEEC Auditorium (C120), CU Boulder East Campus
Join us for the Second AQ Buffs Air Quality Research Symposium, a student-led event designed to connect CU and Colorado Front Range students conducting air quality research. This symposium fosters collaboration and networking within the CU community, among different Colorado Front Range institutions, while engaging with Colorado-based industry and government representatives in the air quality field.
Meeting Program
The meeting will run from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and will feature research talks, a poster session, a career panel, Ìýa networking lunch, and a keynote talk, providing a platform to share your work, develop your presentation skills, and build professional connections.
Schedule (subject to change):
| Thursday, February 26 | |
| 5:00 - 6:30 pm | Optional Happy Hour at |
| Friday, February 27 | |
| 9:00 - 9:15 am | Welcome and introductions |
| 9:15 - 10:45 am | Session I: Platform presentations (15 min each x 6) |
| 10:45 - 11:00 am | Coffee break |
| 11:00 - 12:00 pm | Panel discussion: Career Paths in Air Quality |
| 12:00 - 1:30 pm | Networking lunch and Poster Session |
| 1:30 - 3:00 pm | Session II: Platform presentations (15 min each x 6) |
| 3:00 - 3:15 pm | Coffee Break |
| 3:15 - 4:15 pm | Keynote Speaker: |
| 4:15 - 4:30 pm | Concluding remarks and awards |
| 4:30 - 5:00 pm | Room cleanup |
Panel discussion: Career Paths in Air Quality
We are excited to host a career panel discussion with representatives from a variety of Air Quality career paths, including industry, academia, national lab, and federal and state government. [Panel members TBD].
Key Deadlines
- Abstract submission and participant registration open: January 13, 2026
- Abstract submission close: February 6, 2026
- Abstract decisions made by February 13, 2026
- Late-breaking poster submission close: February 17
- Participant-only registration close: February 17
Photo competition
The symposium also features an air quality-inspired photo competition. Submit your photos related to AQ research or AQ impacts in the form below. Attendees will vote on the submitted photos during the symposium and the winning photo will receive a prize!
[Photo competition submission link TBD]
Photo competition winners must be present at the event in order to claim their award.
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Cost
Free to attend. Participants must register using the link above by February 6, 2026 so we can arrange catering orders. Lunch, coffee, and snacks will be served.
Posters can be printed for a fee at , INSTAAR in SEEC, , , and many other locations.
Organizing committee
Environmental Engineering Graduate Students:, Dorian Schwartz, Gabriela Cortes, , , .
Mechanical Engineering Graduate Students:Esther Ozuruoha, Jeong Eun Kim.
Chemistry Graduate Students: , .
Faculty Adviser:Marina Vance
Interested in joining our organizing committee? Please email Rileigh Robertson for more information.
Inclusion and Accessibility
The ³Ô¹ÏÍø of Colorado Boulder is committed to providing equal access to individuals with disabilities. If you are planning to attend this event and require accommodations, please contact Marina VanceÌýno later than 7 days before the event. We will make all reasonable efforts to fulfill requests submitted after the deadline.
Sponsors
A big thank you this year's sponsors:
Environmental Engineering (EVEN) Program, ³Ô¹ÏÍø of Colorado Boulder.
Mechanical Engineering Department, ³Ô¹ÏÍø of Colorado Boulder.
Would you like to become a sponsor? Please email Gabriela Cortes for more information.
Presentation List
Session I: Morning platform presentations
This session will run from 9:15 to 10:45 am. Presenters and titles are shown in bold.
| Time | List of authors |
|---|---|
| 9:15-9:30 | TBD |
| 9:30-9:45 | TBD |
| 9:45-10:00 | TBD |
| 10:00-10:15 | TBD |
| 10:15-10:30 | TBD |
| 10:30-10:45 | TBD |
Session II: Afternoon platform presentations
This session will run from 1:30 to 3:00 pm. Presenters and titles are shown in bold.
| Time | Presentation (presenter shown in bold) |
|---|---|
| 1:30- 1:45 | TBD |
| 1:45-2:00 | TBD |
| 2:00-2:15 | TBD |
| 2:15-2:30 | TBD |
| 2:30-2:45 | TBD |
| 2:45-3:00 | TBD |
Poster presentations
Posters will be available for viewing in the meeting room throughout the day and will be presented at 12:00 - 1:30 pm. Presenters and titles are shown in bold.
| Poster presentations (presenter shown in bold) |
|---|
| TBD |
| TBD |
| TBD |
| TBD |
| TBD |
| TBD |
| TBD |
| TBD |
| TBD |
| TBD |