We analyse small atmospheric particles with big climate effects
“As a physicist, I strive to understand the fundamental laws of nature that govern the world. For me, this involves how aerosol particles and clouds function, but the boundaries between different fields are not so rigid. Fundamentally, as researchers, we all have the same approach – we have a problem we want to solve.”
Ilona Riipinen is a professor of atmospheric science at Stockholm University and one of the world's leading aerosol researchers. She studies how tiny particles in the atmosphere and in the air we breathe interact with clouds and precipitation in the climate system.
Why is atmospheric science so exciting?
“As a physicist, I enjoy things that can be measured and described with numbers, such as thermodynamics and fluid mechanics. However, I like applying these calculations to challenges that are close to people and connected to society, as is the case in atmospheric science.”
Stockholm University is world-leading in climate and environmental research.
How are aerosol particles related to climate?
“My research focuses on how tiny particles influence the composition of the air and the properties of clouds, and subsequently, how this affects the climate. With increasing human emissions of, for example, sulphate particles, clouds become whiter because they consist of more and smaller droplets. The whiter the clouds, the more they reflect sunlight. Human emissions of particles have thus masked part of the greenhouse gas effect. When particle emissions decrease, it leads to a more rapid warming of the atmosphere than we might have anticipated. My research team works to understand how the atmosphere and all its components function together. We then develop models at different levels that describe everything from how a cloud droplet forms to the entire Earth system. This makes it easier to calculate how fast warming will progress in the future.”
Why should you study physics and environmental science at Stockholm University?
“Stockholm University is world-leading in climate and environmental research. Here, students meet researchers who are experts in many different areas of environmental science, including the atmosphere, the ocean, the cryosphere, and the geosphere.”
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What do you want to convey to your students?
“I want to convey the knowledge of how to analyse and describe the world and then share that knowledge in a way that others can understand. Many students are surprised by how important the fundamentals of mathematics and programming are, not only for understanding nature but also for navigating today's society, where so much relies on software. Many of them have never programmed before.”
What does teaching mean to you?
“I teach environmental science at both undergraduate and master's levels. The arrival of new generations with fresh perspectives and new ways of addressing and solving problems is a great source of inspiration for me as a researcher.
One of the advantages of the academic world is that it brings together people of different ages and from various countries. The university is not just a workplace but a community.”
Have you always known that you wanted to become a researcher?
“Not at all. But I have always had the mindset that life should surprise me. I apply this mindset to research as well. I want to find out how things work and am driven by curiosity.”
What do you hope to achieve in your research career?
“To get closer to answering what role aerosol particles and clouds play in the Earth's system. Nowadays, hardly anyone questions that greenhouse gases have warmed the planet. I am an optimist and believe that increased knowledge about the climate will eventually lead to a political breakthrough on the issue. When, where, and how remains to be seen.”
Want to know more about Ilona?
Ilona's research on aerosols impact on climate
Ilona’s research on forest impact on climate
Ilona Riipinen’s recipe for becoming a great researcher
- Cultivate your curiosity. It is the foundation of everything. As a researcher, I learn something new every day. What we discover in a research group is often among the first of its kind in the world—creating new knowledge is the primary goal of science. The space for curiosity and personal development is one of the greatest advantages of my job.
- Allow yourself to be wrong. The ability and willingness to feel ignorant are essential qualities of a good researcher. Learning about "productive ignorance" should be one of the most important objectives in doctoral training. The entire peer review process is based on critically examining each other’s work and identifying errors. It is not valuable to always be right from the outset. Instead, one should seek the truth.
- Be a team player. Although the history of science is filled with great personalities, few have made their breakthroughs entirely on their own. Scientific breakthroughs often result from effective research groups, complementary collaborations, collegial support, and favourable environments. A good research group can function in many different ways, provided the group has clear, common goals. Everyone faces different challenges.
- Nurture your creativity. Finding new ways to solve problems and combining facts into new, broader concepts is part of daily scientific research. However, creativity must be nurtured—it disappears if one is stressed or overloaded with scheduled activities. Some idleness and downtime are necessary for creativity.
- Think long-term. It is crucial for the quality of research that processes are given time. The work of establishing a well-functioning research group often bears fruit after several years, and discoveries that initially seem insignificant can turn out to be revolutionary decades later. Science does not offer quick wins. It requires patience but can be incredibly rewarding.
Last updated: March 18, 2025
Source: Communications Office