Elliott Gall, winner of the Faculty Award for Public Impact Research, working in his lab at PSU
Elliott Gall, an associate professor of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at Portland State University (PSU), has been named the first recipient of the Faculty Award for Public Impact Research – a new addition to the university's annual Research Awards.
Gall's research focuses on analyzing and improving indoor air quality and public health. He has co-developed practical interventions to improve air quality in schools and other public spaces where pollution, wildfire smoke, and viruses might otherwise pose significant threats.
Vulnerable groups impacted by wildfire smoke—including Oregon schoolchildren and teachers—along with policymakers, public health organizations, and global communities looking for affordable air quality solutions have all benefited from Gall's work. Among his achievements is the development of the "Cocoon" air cleaner, a low-cost air filtration device that won the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s Cleaner Indoor Air During Wildfires Challenge.
The Faculty Award for Public Impact Research was designed to recognize researchers like Gall who partner with communities to co-create solutions to pressing problems.
FROM RESEARCH TO IMPACT
Gall's research into air quality began with an initial interest in climate change. Knowing that he wanted to do something to help the environment, he undertook an undergraduate research experience led by Dr. Jean Andino at the University of Florida. Through doing research in her lab, he became interested in air quality and continued pursuing research along that path. Because of the influence of this research experience, Gall now encourages his own undergraduate students to pursue research opportunities.
But cutting-edge findings and innovative technologies aren't enough to move research into practice. A researcher aiming for public impact must form connections with community partners, industry practitioners, and policymakers. Creating those partnerships is one of the biggest challenges involved in translating research into real-world impact, according to Gall.
"Making that connection requires effort. You need to be in a place where you know, by definition, your expertise is only a piece of the puzzle. There are going to be times when you need to defer to others' best judgment and their expertise. So you need to be sort of humble and ready to work with others and to problem solve. It's a really important thing, and there are a lot of hurdles to navigate to to try to do it well," Gall said.
He also stresses the importance of communicating science in accessible language, helping people to understand the work that the researcher is doing.
"If they leave thinking, 'Wow, that guy's smart; I'm glad he understands it,' then you haven't really achieved your goal," Gall said.
Community partnerships are a key part of Gall's ongoing research impact. He has collaborated with Portland Public Schools to enhance air quality in the classroom; engaged with the Oregon State Legislature’s Resilient Efficient Buildings Task Force to influence building codes for better air quality; and contributed to the U.S. Global Change Research Program’s National Climate Assessment Air Quality Chapter.
ONGOING WORK
Currently, Gall is leading an effort to develop a Position Document in Indoor Air Chemistry with the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). ASHRAE position documents are science-based, public-facing statements made to influence public policy on emerging issues relevant to buildings.
Around wildfire research, he is involved in a project collecting samples from community groups impacted by the Los Angeles fires. The goal is to analyze objects to understand how smoke and fire changes indoor surfaces.
""When a home is impacted by a wildfire and heavy smoke enters the house, we kind of know what to do about the air. But if surfaces become contaminated, that's a longer-term source of pollution that's invisible and potentially exposing people to harmful chemicals via contact with surfaces," Gall said.
On the horizon, he is also looking ahead to a potential partnership with the Multnomah County Healthy Homes Department, which would be aimed at providing low-income residents with portable induction cooktops as an intervention to help reduce reliance on natural gas for cooking.
As he continues to develop innovative interventions and shape policy through national and local partnerships, Gall’s work lays the foundation for a healthier, more resilient future.