Courses that I teach

• CHEM 31: Quantitative Analysis
• CHEM 253: Environmental Chemistry

Research Projects/Interests

Professor Miller-Schulze is an Analytical and Environmental Chemist focused on the development and/or adaptation of analytical methodology to quantify chemicals of interest in environmental or biological matrices. Chemical analytes may be of interest due to their application as a tracer of a specific activity (i.e., caffeine in a river as a tracer of human wastewater) or because of their environmental or toxicological impact. Since concentrations of these chemicals are usually very low (parts-per-trillion) in environmental or biological systems, quantification typically involves sensitive and selective techniques such as mass spectrometry preceded by gas or liquid chromatography. Current projects include:

Group Members: David Ricci

David

1. Quantification of Agricultural Antibiotics as Tracers of Impacts on Water Quality

Picture: Cattle grazing in Western Washington State

Antibiotics such as tetracycline and lincomycin are used in the raising of animals to protect them from bacterial infection. These chemicals may also be used to investigate the impacts of these activities on water quality of neighboring rivers, streams, lakes, and proximal groundwater. Using solid phase extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (tandem quadrupole), we are developing methodology to quantify macrolide, tetracycline, and sulfonamide antibiotics in surface waters to assess the impact of agriculutural activities on water quality. 

Students: David Ricci

Publications

Miller-Schulze, Justin P.; Schauer, J.J.; et al. “Seasonal Contribution of Mineral Dust and Other Major Components to Particulate Matter at Two Remote Sites in Central Asia” Submitted November 2014

Miller-Schulze, Justin P.; Simpson, Christopher D.; et al. “Evaluation of Urinary Metabolites of 1-nitropyrene as Biomarkers of Exposure to Diesel Exhaust for Taxi Drivers in Shenyang, China” Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology, 2013, 23, 170-175, doi:10.1038/jes.2012.40.

Daher, N.; Ruprecht, A.; Invernizzi, G.; De Marco, C.; Miller-Schulze, Justin P., et al. “Characterization, Sources and Redox Activity of Fine and Coarse Particulate Matter in Milan, Italy”, Atmos. Environ., 2012, 49, 130-141, doi: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2011.12.011

Daher, N.; Ruprecht, A.; Invernizzi, G.; Miller-Schulze, Justin P.; et al. “Chemical Characterization and Source Apportionment of Fine and Coarse Particulate Matter inside the refectory of Santa Maria Delle Grazie Church, home of Leonardo da Vinci’s "Last Supper"”, Environ. Sci. Technol.,2011, 45, 10344-10353, doi: 10.1021/es202736a

Miller-Schulze, Justin P.; Schauer, J.J.; et al. “Characteristics of and Sources of Fine Particle Carbonaceous Aerosol at Two Remote Sites in Central Asia” Atmos. Environ. 2011, 45 (38), 6955-6964

Miller-Schulze, Justin P.; Simpson, Christopher D.; et al. “Exposures to Particulate Air Pollution and Nitro-Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons amongst Taxi Drivers in Shenyang, China”, Environ. Sci. Technol.,2010, 44 (1), 216-221

Miller-Schulze, Justin P.; Simpson, Christopher D.; et al “Analysis of 1-nitropyrene in air particulate matter standard reference materials by using two-dimensional high performance liquid chromatography with online reduction and tandem mass spectrometry detection”, J. Chromatogr., A., 2007, 1167, 154-160

Recent and Other Talks of Interest

“Contaminants of Emerging Concern in Puget Sound: A Comparison of Spatial and Temporal Levels and Occurrence”, Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference, May 2, 2014. Seattle, WA.

“Emerging Micropollutants in Puget Sound: A Comparison of Spatial and Temporal Levels and Occurrence”, American Chemical Society National Meeting, Dallas, Texas, March 17, 2014.

“Contaminants of Emerging Concern in Puget Sound: A Comparison of Spatial and Temporal Levels and Occurrence”, USGS Seminar Series, March 5, 2014. Tacoma, WA.

“Trends in Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Concentrations Sampled in the Tacoma Tideflats”, Puyallup River Watershed Council meeting, June 28, 2013. Puyallup, WA.

“ ‘Emerging Contaminants’ as Tracers for Water Quality Parameters”, Science on the Sound Seminar Series, Marine Science and Technology Center, Highline Community College, April 6 2013. Des Moines, WA.

“Does the Poo Come from You or Things that Say Moo? (Lightning Talk)”, COSEE Ocean Learning Communities: A Farewell Event, November 30, 2012. Seattle, WA.

“The Use of Chemical Analysis and Chemical Mass Balance (CMB) Modeling to Investigate the Sources of Atmospheric Aerosol” Seminar Presentation, Environmental Science Seminar Series, University of Washington-Tacoma. October 2011. Tacoma, WA.

“Characteristics of Aerosol Particulate Matter in Kyrgyzstan”. Platform Presentation. AAAR 2010 Specialty Conference-Pollution and Health: Bridging the Gap from Sources to Health Outcomes,
March 22-26, 2010. San Diego, CA.

“Development and Application of a 2-dimensional High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method to Ambient Particulate Matter Samples for the Exposure Assessment of Nitro-Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons”, April 2009. University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Professional Associations

• American Chemical Society