research overview
- Dr. Montoya’s primary area of research is the study of indoor air quality and the health effects of air pollutants. She is especially interested in elucidating the role that biological and physico-chemical characteristics of various aerosols (e.g., biomass emissions, allergens, nanoparticles) or toxic gases (e.g., formaldehyde) play in the development of disease and toxicity. Her research team also works on the development of instrumentation and techniques to measure, model, and control common airborne pollutants in indoor environments and to assess human exposure to these agents. Another research area in Dr. Montoya's laboratory is sustainable indoor air quality control systems, focusing on appropriate technologies for developing communities and “smart' systems for developed countries. Such research includes improvement of indoor air quality using active flow control, green materials and phytoremediation systems as methods to decrease the energy burden of HVAC systems.
