Rate My Professor Markus Kalberer

Prof. Dr. Markus Kalberer is Full Professor of Atmospheric Sciences in the Department of Environmental Sciences at the University of Basel, a position he has held since 2018. He earned his Diploma in Chemistry and PhD in Physical Chemistry from the University of Bern, completing his doctoral studies in 1998. Prior to joining the University of Basel, Kalberer was Group Leader at the Laboratory of Atmospheric Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institute from 2014 to 2018, and Group Leader at the Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science, ETH Zurich from 2009 to 2014. He conducted postdoctoral research at the Center for Atmospheric Sciences, University of California, Berkeley from 2004 to 2009, and at the Institute for Spectroscopy, ETH Zurich from 2001 to 2004. Kalberer serves as a member of the University of Basel Senate representing the Faculty of Science.

Kalberer's research centers on the chemical composition, reactivity, and biological effects of atmospheric aerosol particles, particularly the organic fraction comprising 25-75% of fine particulate matter. His group employs advanced analytical techniques, including ultra-high resolution mass spectrometry, liquid and gas chromatography, and the innovative Extractive Electrospray Ionisation Mass Spectrometry (EESI-MS) for real-time molecular-level characterization of aerosols with minimal fragmentation. Key investigations include the formation and atmospheric processing of organic aerosols from gaseous precursors, quantification of organic peroxides as proxies for reactive oxygen species, and health-relevant components in particulate matter from urban to remote environments. Additional foci encompass meteorological processes in urban settings and deserts, such as CO2 fluxes and radiation budgets. Notable publications include 'Characterising an Extractive Electrospray Ionisation (EESI) source for the online mass spectrometry analysis of organic aerosols' (Environmental Science & Technology, 2013), 'Comprehensive modeling study of ozonolysis of oleic acid aerosol based on real-time, online measurements of aerosol composition' (Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 2017), 'Mass spectrometry characterization of peroxycarboxylic acids as proxies for reactive oxygen species (ROS) and highly oxygenated molecules (HOMs) in atmospheric aerosols' (Analytical Chemistry, 2017), 'Synthesis and characterisation of peroxypinic acids as proxies for highly oxygenated molecules (HOMs) in secondary organic aerosol' (Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 2018), and 'Short-lived reactive components substantially contribute to the oxidative potential of ambient PM2.5' (Science Advances, 2025). With over 260 peer-reviewed publications and more than 12,000 citations, his contributions have advanced knowledge of aerosol impacts on climate and public health. He leads Swiss National Science Foundation-funded projects on health-relevant aerosol components.