Birnur Guven is a research scientist at HARC since October 2009. Guven obtained her B.S. in mathematics from Bogazici University in Turkey and her M.S. and Ph.D. in environmental engineering from Rice University. Previously, she worked as a research associate at Rice University, and as assistant professor of environmental engineering at Michigan State University. Birnur’s research interests include air pollution source apportionment (ambient air, indoor and personal exposure samples), air pollution modeling, health impacts of exposure to air pollutants, hurricane-related risk assessment and evacuation behavior.
Projects
Publications
- Stein, R.; Buzcu-Guven, B.; Duenas-Osorio, L.; Subramanian, D. “How risk perceptions influence evacuations from hurricanes?” Submitted to Risk Analysis, 2011.
- Duenas-Osorio, L.; Buzcu-Guven, B.; Stein, R.; Subramanian, D. “Engineering-Based Hurricane Risk Estimates and Comparison to Perceived Risks in Storm-Prone Areas”. Accepted for publication, Natural Hazards Review, 2011.
- Buzcu-Guven, B. and Olaguer, E. “Source Attribution of Ambient Formaldehyde Concentrations in Houston during TexAQS II and TRAMP”. Accepted for publication, Atmos. Environ. 2011.
- Olaguer, E.P., Buzcu-Guven, B., Vernon, Z., Stock, T., Kwon, J. “Development of an Integrated Database of Air Pollution and Exposure Data for Houston, TX”. Final Report to Mickey Leland National Urban Air Toxics Research Center, 2011, Houston, TX. http://www.sph.uth.tmc.edu/mleland/Webpages/publications.htm
- Buzcu-Guven, B., Harriss, R., & Hertzmark, D., (September 2010). “Gas flaring and venting: Extent, impacts, and remedies”. James A Baker III Institute for Public Policy, Rice University, Houston, TX. http://www.bakerinstitute.org/publications/CARBONFlaring%20paper%20Birnur%20FINALwith%20cover%20secured.pdf
- Cohan, D.S., Buzcu-Guven, B., Bullock, D., Hodges-Copple, D., Tomlin, R. “Policy Options for Clean Air and Sustainable Energy in Texas”, Report to Texas Business for Clean Air, January, 2009. http://www.texasbusinessforcleanair.org/PolicyOptionsAirEnergyTexas
- Buzcu-Guven, B. and Fraser, M.P., “Evaluation of VOC Emission Inventory and the Assessment of Event Emissions and Ozone Exceedances in Houston, TX,” Atmos. Environ., 42, 5032-5043, 2008.
- Buzcu-Guven, B., Brown, S.G., Frankel, A., Hafner, H.R., and Roberts, P.T., “Analysis and apportionment of organic carbon and PM2.5 sources at multiple sites in the Midwestern United States,” J. Air and Waste Manag Assoc., 57, 606-619, 2007.
- Buzcu, B. and Fraser, M.P., “Source Identification and Apportionment of Volatile Organic Compounds in Houston, TX,” Atmos. Environ., 40, 2385-2400, 2006.
- Buzcu, B., Yue, Z.W., Fraser, M.P., Nopmongcol, U., and Allen, D., “Secondary Particle Formation and Evidence of Heterogeneous Chemistry during a Wood Smoke Episode in Texas,” J. Geophys. Res.- Atmos., 111, D10S13, doi:10.1029/2005JD006143, 2006.
- Fraser, M.P., Yue, Z.W., and Buzcu, B., "Source Apportionment of Fine Particulate Matter in Houston, TX Using Organic Molecular Markers," Atmos. Environ, 37 (15): 2117-2123, 2003.
- Buzcu, B., Fraser, M.P., Kulkarni, P., and Chellam, S., "Source Apportionment of Ambient Fine Particles in Houston, TX using Positive Matrix Factorization," Environ. Engr. Sci., 20: 533-545, 2003.
- Fraser, M.P., Buzcu, B., Yue, Z.W., McGaughey, G.R., Desai, N.R., Allen, D.T., Seila, R.L., Lonneman, W.A., and Harley, R.A., “Separation of fine particulate matter emitted from gasoline and diesel vehicles using chemical mass balancing techniques,” Environ. Sci. Tech., 37: 3904- 3909, 2003.