Ramona Taylor

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Ramona Taylor

Group Leader – Multiphase Chemistry and Physics

Dr. Taylor is currently a Group Leader with Spectral Sciences, Inc. Since joining SSI in June 2004, she has led efforts ranging from the development of physics-based models to predict the reactivity of chemical warfare agents with silica and titania, to the development of a combined physics-based/engineering-level model for the ejection of fuel debris from solid rocket motors and the corresponding optical and radar signatures. In addition, Dr. Taylor has experience using the SOCRATES-P Direct Simulation Monte Carlo code to model the interactions of rocket plumes with the atmosphere. Over her career, Dr. Taylor has worked hand-in-hand with experimentalists, the latest example being the development of techniques to remotely detect chemical and biological warfare agents via fluorescent taggants. Prior to joining SSI, Dr. Taylor’s research efforts concentrated on the use of statistical and quantum mechanical methods to understand the reactivity and dynamics of heterogeneous interfaces. She also utilized classical mechanics simulations and transition state theory to examine the process of mass accommodation of gas phase molecules by aqueous aerosols. Dr. Taylor’s interest in atmospheric aerosols began with her postdoctoral fellowship in the Molecular Theory and Modeling group at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratories (1994-1997) and continued while she was on faculty at the College of the Holy Cross (1997-2004). Her graduate research focused on understanding the chemistry that occurs at solid/solid and gas/solid interfaces.