Dr. Ugo Molteni

Environmental Scientist & Analytical Chemist

📧 ugo.molteni@wsl.ch
🏢 WSL Birmensdorf, Switzerland

Research Focus

I'm an environmental scientist whose research stands at the interface between the biosphere and the atmosphere. My research interest is plant volatile organic compounds (VOC) and their atmospheric oxidation, investigating how plants communicate through chemical signals and how these compounds impact air quality and climate.
Biosphere-Atmosphere Interactions Volatile Organic Compounds Mass Spectrometry Atmospheric Chemistry Environmental Analytical Chemistry Secondary Organic Aerosols Climate Change Impact Data Science Complexity Science
3,392 Citations | h-index: 24
Source: Scopus

Academic Journey

WSL - Swiss Federal Research Institute
Birmensdorf, Switzerland (Current)
ETH Zurich
Zurich, Switzerland
Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI)
Villigen, Switzerland
CERN
Geneva, Switzerland
FHNW
Switzerland
UC Irvine
California, USA
Università degli Studi di Milano
Milano, Italy

Expertise & Skills

🔬 Analytical Techniques

  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Online & Offline Analysis
  • Chemical Kinetics
  • Atmospheric Measurements

💻 Data & Technology

  • Data Science & Analysis
  • Lab Equipment Development
  • Instrumentation Design
  • Complex Systems Analysis

🌱 Environmental Science

  • Atmospheric Chemistry
  • Plant VOC Emissions
  • Air Quality Assessment
  • Climate Change Research

🧪 Laboratory Work

  • Experimental Design
  • Analytical Method Development
  • Quality Control
  • Equipment Troubleshooting

Research Impact

My work explores the fascinating world of plant communication through volatile organic compounds and their atmospheric fate. Plants emit hundreds of compounds that serve as chemical messengers - from the citrus aroma when peeling an orange to the distinctive pine scent in coniferous forests. These compounds don't just create pleasant scents; they play crucial roles in plant defense, pollinator attraction, and atmospheric chemistry.

Through online and offline mass spectrometric techniques, I investigate how these emissions change under climate stress and their impact on air quality and climate. As climate change brings earlier springs, severe droughts, and insect outbreaks, understanding how plants respond through altered VOC emissions becomes increasingly critical for predicting future air quality and climate scenarios.

Let's Connect

Interested in collaboration or discussing environmental chemistry research?

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